Publication: USA Today
Date: October 29, 1996
Transcribed by Adam Blackburn (A74dart@aol.com)
author: Edna Gundersen "(3 out of 4 stars) - With jackhammer rhythms and hacksaw riffs, Tool moves to the front of the alterna-metal shop on it's third and best release. Despite hints of melody and skillfully used samples (a carnival organ on Intermission), the Los Angeles quartet's sound is unrelentingly heavy and brutal. Panic and paranoia snake through the blunt beats and guitar roar on Stinkfist, Hooker With A Penis and The Useful Idiot, while an experimental glee marks the industrial racket on Die Eier Von Satan and the patchwork noise of (-) Ions. Add singer Maynard James Keenan's baleful rant and you've got Pandora's toolbox. Open at your own risk." (10/29/96) I like USA Today's review much better... though what's with the Useful Idiot mistake again? [Kabir's note: he is referring to the Huh review]