Before Californian foursome Tool headed off into the hills of artsy progressive magik metal, they were one of many small-time bands plying their trade in the messy grunge arena. By now we know them to be a musical force of technical precision and amazing depth, but that's not how it all began. Listening to it now, debut EP Opiate sounds like a totally different band. Unfocused, brash, and clearly pissed off about something. This was a collection of six noisy, hurried songs that definitely didn't suggest that this band would go on to become one of most profound and influential acts in heavy music. Vocalist Maynard James Keenan, now a refined chap who spends his free time making wine on his farm, attacked each song with unbridled, unrefined passion. For two of the tracks, recorded live and only the second time they'd been played in public, you can picture MJK stalking around the stage staring daggers at the audience and spitting each line like a trail of napalm. The toxic yelps fired off at the end of Jerk-Off put it neatly in perspective: "I should kick you, beat you, f*ck you, and then shoot you in your f*cking head" - these are lines blasted with fiery passion that can only be borne out of a truly angry spirit.
Game-obsessed since the moment I could twiddle both thumbs independently. Equally enthralled by all the genres of music that your parents warned you about.
