ÆNIMA

Having purchased TOOL's latest album not too long ago and giving it a good listen, I was a bit disappointed. Just in case I was losing my feel for the boys, I threw on this album. Suffice it to say, it blows away 10,000 Days in ever aspect. Jones guitar is all over the place and powerful, (unlike 10,000 Days where it just seems plain and boring). Justin's bass has snap and bite. Carey's drumming I will admit seems better on 10,000 Days but he's a monster still. I leave the best for last. Maynard's singing/shouting/growling is just monsterous! From the opening salvo, "Stinkfist", to "Hooker With A Penis", (which I believe is his best), to the title track with it's absolute hilarious lyrics, all the way to the metal/prog masterpiece "Third Eye", 'AEnima' is a blast of anger, humor and down-and-out creepiness. There's an urgency that I feel is missing on their latest, plus I believe when it comes to the signature TOOL sound, this is the album. Is it a masterpiece of prog/metal? No, "Lateralus" belongs in that category. There's still a tendency to ape a few Balck Sabbath riffs on this one. But, it still rocks the sh*t out of most metal. It also moves your bones with a grin on your face. How metal albums can do that?