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Tool

Aenima

RS: Not Rated Average User Rating: 4.5of 5 Stars

1996

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Noise as purgative: Tool shove their iron-spike riffing and shock-therapy polemics right up the claustrophobic dead end of so-called alternative metal in the name of a greater metaphysical glory – something along the fuzzy lines of Jungian cyberoccultism. That's all very admirable and even a bit impressive; anyone who tries to elevate heavy music above cock-rock clown time is to be encouraged. Still, the best parts of Ænima come when Tool just let the music rip and dip with the broiling, avant-metal ferocity of Led Zeppelin's Presence. Also, let us call a moratorium on concept CDs that come with lightweight "Intermission" instrumental tracks. If you need to take a piss in the middle of the record, just hit the pause button.

DAVID FRICKE

(Posted: Dec 5, 1996)

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Review 1 of 8

TumbleThroughBodies writes:

5of 5 Stars


"Also, let us call a moratorium on concept CDs that come with lightweight "Intermission" instrumental tracks. If you need to take a piss in the middle of the record, just hit the pause button."

Mr. Fricke, you failed to realize that the intermission track was a self mocking joke, intended to lighten the mood of an album that otherwise might seem to take itself too seriously. I recommend that you get a clue and take Tools implicit advice: lighten up.

Feb 22, 2008 14:06:56

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Review 2 of 8

imnottaduck writes:

5of 5 Stars


Although I've always felt more connection with Lateralus, I must give credit where credit is due. This album unleashes something that has for the most part been lost to music in this industry of money before everything else. I'd call it soul if I believed in such a thing, or perhaps spirit. There is a passion in this music that is so raw and exposed, in its blinding radiance it trivializes so much else that the music industry churns out year after year. It is the beginning of great step forward for tool.

Jun 4, 2007 17:53:32

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Review 3 of 8

betweenthesounds writes:

5of 5 Stars


With Progressive concept albums, there are no mediums, only extremes: you either love them or you hate them. Those who love them, absolutely understand them and their message. The haters, would rather scratch their balls and not have to use their brains, because God forbid you listen to music that requires you to push a mental boundary. Aenima is decisive. Tool would never have written Lateralus without it, Tool just wouldn't have been Tool, without it. Just like the dynamic Jungian concepts expressed in "46&2", Tool transformed through this album. The two-dimensional and sometimes impeding aspects of metal were almost completely shed on this album as Tool began to trademark their unorthodox and cerebral sound. "Stinkfist" is, in my mind, one of the greatest anthems of the last fifteen years. "Pushit" displayed Tool's maturation by showcasing their ability to touch on melody and intertwine both hard attack and delicate rythym. And the mammoth "Third Eye" was Tool's first true epic. Aenima, for those who can't get past three minute ballads about girlfriends and bar fights, is demeaned for being to inaccessible, too grotesque. But to the true afficionado, Aenima is a milestone in modern music.

May 18, 2007 12:21:37

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Review 4 of 8

whathappened writes:

5of 5 Stars


One of the greatest albums ever.....

May 15, 2007 21:33:42

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Review 5 of 8

blackhowling writes:

4of 5 Stars


tool is one of the greatest rock alternative bands ever.this album is one of the best from the band,(listen to 10,000 days)the way maynard can write songs as if storytelling so honest and sincere,in what you listen and the music is awesome,truly artists at their craft.

Apr 6, 2007 17:43:44

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Review 6 of 8

thewordwasaphex writes:

5of 5 Stars


This is it. The single greatest album of the last twenty five years (with the possible exception of 'The Downward Spiral').

If you don't own it, then buy it, because it will change your life.

Dec 18, 2006 18:36:45

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Review 7 of 8

fvaldes7 writes:

5of 5 Stars


Aenima is trully a conerstone of the 90`s alternative age (if there was ever such a thing), its a record filled with both power and introspection pushing away all the clitches that make heavy metal so absurd and redundant. "Stinkfist" pounds away like nothing that has come out of your speakers. "Aenema" sinks its rage before exploding in glory and "Third Eye" brings it all back home. A true masterpiece.

May 3, 2006 18:48:21

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Review 8 of 8

ChoLivesOn writes:

5of 5 Stars


Tool has always been one of my favorite bands I thnk this is one
of their best

Apr 22, 2006 06:43:40

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