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Since every other Tool album save Salival has been done, and since I profess to be one of the biggest Tool fans on the boards...I figure I'll round it out by reviewing their Opiate EP
Adam Jones was quoted as saying this was their heaviest album. "We picked our hardest songs, we were more slam and bang, now we use more melody". Let's see how well this holds up.
Sweat (3:46)
The first track off of Opiate is probably my favorite, and arguably the hardest song on here. A 10-second intro of nothing bursts forth with a hard riff that is the basis for the rest of the song. Maynard's voice is quite haunting throughout the verse, a nice shouting chorus line, then back to haunting. Repeat the cycle, then we get a nice breakdown at about 2:10. Very fast, with tremolo picking on the bass, and machinegun drumming from Danny. Ends out with some chorus and a long chord from Adam
Hush (2:48)
The second track, and second shortest actual Tool song (Eon Blue Apocalypse is shortest at a minute 5) opens with a kickass bassline, and Maynard screaming "Fuck you!!". This song is also short, and simple by Tool standards. If the bassline doesn't hook you, Maynard's lyrics on censorship will. There is a bridge before the last chorus, ended by a mini-breakdown of sorts at the end.
Part of Me (3:17)
Song opens with Maynard joking around a bit with some guy...nice bassline entrance...this song is probably the most repetitive on the album, or even ever, done by Tool. The bass, guitar, and vocal lines all follow the same pattern, at least for the verse. The chorus is almost like a breakdown, with intensely fast playing from Danny and Paul. This is the first Tool song to feature a solo, done by Adam at 1:44. It's not very long, but it fits the song
Cold and Ugly (live, 4:09)
This has another headbangable main riff here. It's pretty repetitive throughout the verse, but it doesn't follow Maynard's words as it did in Part of Me. The chorus riff is quite nice too. This song has a mini interlude-thing at about 1:51 where it slows down considerably. At 2:17, a mini-bass solo starts, probably my favorite bass riff to play of Tool's. Adam joins Paul in a moment or two, then Adam just goes fuckin nuts with his own solo. They do another chorus or so, and the song ends on a fast note
Jerk-Off (live, 4:24)
Cold and Ugly bleeds into this track...haunting guitar riff opens up this one, which is played now and then. Maynard's lyrics are especially haunting in this one...the chorus is extremely fast here too, like another breakdown. Interlude here slows down considerably, almost like the last track, but without the dueling bass and guitar solos...this track showcases Maynard's ability for screaming very nicely towards the end, a precursor to songs like Third Eye or The Grudge
Opiate / The Gaping Lotus Experience (8:28)
This is really one track with a hidden, but meh. Opiate is very catchy. The riff has an unusual beat to it, and vocals that are very powerful from Maynard. Bass harmonics are used extensively here, which is odd, but very cool. Chorus and main riffs don't differ too much while Maynard's singing, but it fits very well. There's like a minute-long or so breakdown in this one...though most of the breaking down comes from Danny's rapid-fire double-bass and Paul's tremolo picking. Opiate ends on this breakdown note about 5:20 or so...you get some silence till GLE breaks in. I don't want to spoil this one, but it's got a very unusual sound to it..and lyrics that will make you chuckle.
Overall:
Tool's debut EP is amazing, albeit short. If you listen to this one last, expecting extreme prog-metal, you won't get it. This one is probably the least prog out of all of them, but the elements are present slightly. I bought this CD last, going in reverse order of their albums..and I still love it. A must-own for any Toolophile, or anyone who loves in-your-face hardrock/metal.
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What do you rate it? Dam good review, it was long, and I like long.
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I'd give it a 5/5...as I'd give every Tool album, because each work is a breakthru album..
Yeah I try to write reviews that are...comprehensive. I don't want to give away every aspect of the song, but I want people to be like "I must hear that song/album"
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My least favourite Tool album but still very good. Nice review, very accurate.
I'd give Opiate. 3.5/5
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Yup, my least favourite Tool album. Not quite good enough to warrant a 5/5 (IMO, remember), I'd give it a 4/5.
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[QUOTE=ParaRiddleDiddle]Yup, my least favourite Tool album. Not quite good enough to warrant a 5/5 (IMO, remember), I'd give it a 4/5.[/QUOTE]
I'm in agreement with ParaRiddle as well, while Opiate is still very good, it just seems too unrefined to me.
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I love Opiate. I like how it is unrefined, it gives Tool a whole new level. 5/5.
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Don't like the title song Opiate just for the religious references, but the bass and guitar solos are very impressive on Cold and Ugly. My favorite part of the album is Adam's trill towards the end of Jerk-off, which leads into Maynard's screaming. I can't really rate this album, because it's not complete.
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[QUOTE=OpiateTheMasses!]I love Opiate. I like how it is unrefined, it gives Tool a whole new level. 5/5.[/QUOTE]
it was there first EP so how could it give them a new "whole new level"
anyway, i love opiate, and i think every track on it kicks ***! id rate it a defninate 5/5.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
can someone please fill me in on The Gaping Lotus Experience? please.
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Do you mean what it sounds like, or what we think it's about? Or something else entirely?
If you mean what it sounds like, my reply would be to go and listen to it yourself. Like the (then) Nazi Bassist said, it's not something that should be described to you in advance, in my opinion.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
ok, i've just listened to it. and all i can say is.
wtf? :lol:
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It's not an abum *splits more hairs* lol its an EP
I'd give Opiate a 4/5, Cold And Ugly being my favrotie song from this.
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[QUOTE=incubliss]ok, i've just listened to it. and all i can say is.
wtf? :lol:[/QUOTE]
It's just a look at Tool's quirky sense of humor. I don't really know why they wrote/recorded Gaping Lotus Experience, nor why they titled it that. I mean, it's a somewhat humorous look into drug use...I mean, not to say that everyone who drops acid or Ecstacy is going to do the things in the song, but you never know
Just listen to it, enjoy the sounds, and chuckle at the lyrics. This is one song that even I don't overanalyze
...and yes, before you ask, Nazi Bassist was my account at one point in time. :thumb:
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i will definately have to check this out. my drummer bought this a little while ago.
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Opiate has a nice bassy feel to it, good to listen to when you're angry.
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I agree...great review, btw Joz...you and I are heavy Toolophiles  Ahhh, maybe we can corner Justin somewhere and make him give us lessons
ANYWAY...I saw this more as a demo, its not a real album. I truly see it as a great foreshadowing of Undertow. I think every album gives an insight to the next album. You can tell that they are raw yet powerful. I personally dislike Hush...its a great "fuck you" song...but my favorite parts are:
1. on Sweat...the main riff and the way Maynard says "sun is burning hot again, on the hunter and the fisherman" I think it just flows really well
2. Hush - Come on! FUCKKKKK YOU!!!! a great way to start a song, and the cool bass part.
3. Part of Me - I love Danny on this song and when the bass comes in
4. Cold and Ugly - the bass solo (come on, I'm a bassist) and when it comes back to the verse and its just the bass playing the verse and then Adam slides in and plays along...pretty bad ass
5. Jerk Off...the end, when Maynard screams "die" god, gets me going and then of course "Shoot. you. in. your. fucking. head" with the music going along with that...bad ass
Opiate - love the harmonics and the anger you can hear in Maynards voice.
ANYWAY, great review. I give this a 4/5
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I don't like "Part Of Me".The intro and main riff were awesome,but MJK's vocals & lyrics and the instrument work in the verses are seriously not worth it..
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
Meh. Jerkoff and Cold & Ugly were solid hardcore punkesque tracks and Opiate was a hint unto what Tool's sound would be like in the future.
If this was all that Tool put out, then I'd say they were pretty average, but had a good sound.
I give it a 3.5.
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
out of 5
| | | Album Rating: 3.0
This is definitely a worthy effort; a promising start. I managed to get my hands on a copy about a year ago and I have listened to it a lot of times. It's amazing to listen to, especially if your Tool experience was in this order: Aenema, Undertow, Lateralus. I commend them for greatly improving on their signature sound, evolving from short, hard songs, to epic, masterful pieces like Reflection, or Third Eye. Any Tool fan should listen to album, just to see another side of the band. I do not think that this album is a 5/5, though. If it was another band, I would probably give it a 3/5, but as it is Tool, I give it a 3.5/5. Tool came out in 1992 with Opiate, and they showed that they had a lot to prove. Tool, I salute you.This Message Edited On 10.09.05
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