Primitive TOOL which as well as plenty of grubby period live footage, is rife on all of the P2P networks. I often wonder if this sort of 'unauthorised promotion' deserves more credit for spreading the bands name around and creating the modern day monster that is TOOL. This first full length recording christens some classic 'anthems of rage' as well as the now distinctive raw angst and rage which is TOOL. A lot of the fans do appreciate this early stuff although it's often overlooked in favor of the dizzy heights of the latter day stuff (think Lateralus). While I certainly think this is a fair analogy, this sort of period is still an essential part of the ...  Read the complete review

Think of listening to TOOL as you would talk to your shrink. Basically it's the same thing, only much more helpful and way less expensive. If Opiate was the "initial meeting" with said shrink, then Undertow quickly moves into the "what's wrong with you" phase of treatment. It unleashes all of the anger and confusion and mis-treatment that has been heaped upon you by the nameless masses. It opens old wounds and allows you to reconnect with the most basic, gutteral sickness you felt when theses wrongdoings were unleashed upon you. Undertow allows the listener to explore his feelings of abandonment, chaos and self-loathing without feeling the guilt that comes with actually "sharing" it with another human being. The songs on Undertow are an outlet for the very things that keep you awake at night and gnaw at your belly every day. This album will help you. Buy it.

In 1993 music was filled with the classic bands pulling the rock genre more popular, bands like Nirvana, Slayer and Pantera were bringing alternative rock into new places, and while all this goes on Tool weren't changing alternative rock...they were creating their own genre. Undertow is Tool's first full album offering, following their E.P. Opiate from 1992 which got them noticed, 'Undertow' is the album that made them big. The album starts with a cool drumbeat and riff which starts in a mid tune mood, thinking you've instantly been thrown into a song. 'Intolerance' shows tool typically with the guitars following no particular ...  Read the complete review

Much has been talked about Tool in the rock press, mainly centring on how they are one of the few visionaries left within a conservative rock scene dominated by overhyped nu-metal bands. Most people will probably come in contact with Tool by their ground breaking Aenima album or via Lead singer’s Maynard James Keenan’s vocal contributions to the A Perfect Circle album Mer De Noms. Before the success of Aenima and the growing momentum of support and plaudits Tool released an album by the name of Undertow in 1993. An album, which gives a good indication of where Tool influences were germinated and the future directions, they were about to embark on. ...  Read the complete review