Buzz Music Gossip
title: TOOL aenima

Not content to ride on the success of their first two albums, Tool are
returning to continue their subversive aural mission. It has been three
years since Canada embraced the "Undertow" LP, which has reached
platinum status here based on the singles "Sober" and "Prison Sex" and
the band's unique and fascinating musical style.

On their new album, Tool continues this musical odyssey, challenging
listeners with blatant imagery and uncomprimising viewpoints on all
aspects of modern society, questioning the ideals and values that most
people blindly accept. Bassist Paul D'Amour [transcriber's note: some
one hasn't told them about the line-up change as will be obvious...],
vocalist Maynard James Keenan, guitarist Adam Jones and drummer Danny
Carey have all had some time to reflect on their success, and rather
than rest on their laurels, they've created an album that challenges
listeners to keep up with them.

It hasn't been all work and no play. Late last year the band took a
break from recording, and D'Amour got together with some friends from
Failure to work on a side project. Calling it The Replicants the group
took songs by some of their biggest influences, including Neil Young,
David Bowie and Pink Floyd, and reinvented them. Keenan appears on the
album as well, as guest vocalist. Since then things have taken a turn
for the serious, with the new album and a full fall tour in the works.
"Aenima", the new album, examines the band's preoccupation with
destruction, religion and the accompanying emotions of guilt, weakness
and hatred. Tool are back but they haven't mellowed out in the
slightest. Keep your eyes open for the release of the single and video,
"Stink Fist".