I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Tool is fabulous. Their first release, Opiate, while short (c'mon, it's an EP), is mighty kick-ass. Among the handful of tracks, there are 2 live recordings, and 5 traditional studio tracks. True, while on the CD it claims to only contain 6 songs, there is a hidden track...I believe there are a few different versions of the EP out there, but the one I have has the hidden song stashed away at the end of track 6, at about 6 minutes and 6 seconds (666 - coincidence?).

The Tool sound has developed since the days of Opiate -- things seem less refined and complicated on this album... which is not a bad thing. It's a change from the more recent Tool outings, Lateralus in particular ...Of course, I'm listening to this CD for the first time ever, after already being exposed to Undertow, Ænima and Lateralus - it's sort of like moving backwards through time. Even so, I really enjoy Opiate... I've listened through it about a dozen times now, and I can honestly say it's a great. It shouldn't prove difficult to find, either, despite its age - I've been to a bunch of music stores recently that all have it in stock. Just don't buy it from HMV (They're charging $18.89 for the damn thing!)..

The hidden track I mentioned earlier in my review is... really quite funny, in an oddball kind of way. It's basically about drug use... in one portion, Maynard sings, "I had a friend once, he took some acid. Now he thinks he's a fire engine. It's okay until he pisses on your lighter - Kinda smells kinda cool, kinda funny anyway. Saaatan .. Saaatan .. Saaatan .. Saaatan..."

To go along with the somewhat abstract nature of the song, it's appropriatly titled 'The Gaping Lotus Experience.

Opiate is more than worth the price of admission.

ARTIST: Tool

ALBUM TITLE: Opiate

NUMBER OF TRACKS: 6 + 1 sort of hidden and very, very hilarous bonus

LENGTH OF ALBUM: 26 minutes, 52 seconds

FAVOURITE TRACKS: Opiate, Part of Me, The Gaping Lotus Experience

QUALITY: 4/5