Reviews"...a jagged, brooding nightmare filled with roaring guitars, abrupt rhythm shifts, and jarring sound effects. One of 1996's strangest and strongest alt-metal records." - Rating: A-, "...Tool shove their iron-spike riffing and shock-therapy polemics right up the claustrophobic dead end of so-called alternative metal....the broiling, avant-metal ferocity of Led Zeppelin's PRESCENCE...", 3 (out of 5) - "...The taut playing and icy production keep Keenan's emo tendencies in check while lending his vocals a sense of remote, lone-voice-in-the-machinery existentialism that Tool captures better than anyone...", "Tool stepped into the void and upped the progressive rock ante with this multicoloured collection of thundering detours and dizzying left turns."
What an incredible 2nd album from Tool! From the very start a real experience, "Stinkfist" & "Eulogy" seem to echo some earlier angrier themes, while "46 & 2" goes deeper more like the later stuff. "Jimmy" is a moving song, and musically cleverly amplifies the "Intermission" that immediately precedes it. "H" is an emotional experience, but "Hooker with a Penis" & "Aenima" offer light relief. I think Tool are the best band I've ever encountered, their music is hypnotic & powerful & the lyrics deep & yet relatable. The vocals never fail to make an impact whether its a scream or a beautifully sweet melody. Highly recommend!