Tool: Every Album Ranked

Tool is one of the most prolific metal bands that have graced the 20–21st century. While only releasing 5 studio albums, 1 EP and 1 Live album, they have been one of the most consistent and innovative bands. They are one of the greatest progressive metal bands of all time. Here is a ranking list of every Tool Album ever released.

Tool is such a consistently great band that even the lowest ranked album on this list is excellent.

7. Opiate

Opiate was Tools first EP and from the very start it was shown that they were going to be a huge deal in the future. With only 6 tracks this album sent a shockwave through the 90s metal and progressive metal scene. Making a statement that Tool was going to go on to greater things.

Best Tracks: Jerk Off (Live), Opiate

6) Undertow

Tools first studio album. Many consider this album to be the bands heaviest album. Less experimental than their later works, and more of straight forward heavy metal album. The single Sober became one of the biggest songs the band ever released. Some of the songs sound very similar, almost too similar, which can be one of the weaknesses of the album.

Best Songs: Undertow, Sober, Prison Sex

5) Salival

Their first live Album, and in my opinion one of the most underrated albums they released. Many don’t consider this one to be groundbreaking, but the live takes and re-imaging of songs like Third Eye and Pushit, as well as cover songs, of Led Zeppelin’s No Quarter, and Peaches You Lied. Many of these cover songs are so different they almost come off as their own unique songs. Makes me wish they eventually released a album of cover songs. Tool even manages to make a song about Maynards Penis into a catchy short solid song.

Best Tracks: Pushit, No Quarter

4) Fear Inoculum

The first album in 13 years. This is one of the most vastly different albums in Tools Discography. Mainly because it has long instrumentals. Many tracks include complicated, long winded moments of nothing but guitar, bass and drum work. Some tracks like Pneuma include many moments of repetition and false ends. With Tools big single Fear Innoculum being a 10 minute single, this is one of the shorter songs on the album. While the Longest is 16 minutes. The album represents a evolution in Tools music being less lyric based and focusing on the instrumentals to tell the story. This album includes some of the greatest guitar solos I have ever heard in my entire life, especially on Descending. The drumming on 7empest is amazing as well.

Best Tracks: Descending, 7empest

3. 10,000 Days

Tools final album before their 13 year making of Fear Innoculum. By Far the darkest album they made with a majority of the songs focusing on the themes of Death, and drug abuse. While still there are moments of real human emotion, that resonate after listening to it time after time.

The album is about the experience of how long it took Maynard James Keenan, to overcome pain, as well as the length of time that his mother was in a paralyzed state. Wings for Marie being one of the most people songs I’ve ever heard. While Vicarious is such a important song in my life I was thinking of getting the phrase “live Vicariously”. The Song Right in Two has one of the greatest builds I’ve ever heard, and a riff that will stick with you after its over.

While not as well rounded as their previous efforts, many of the songs are still groundbreaking.

Best Songs: Vicarious, Jambi, Right in Two, The Pot, Wings for Marie

2) Aenemia

Tools groundbreaking progressive Metal album Aenima changed everything that Tool had been known as. Changing their somewhat traditional heavy metal sound into a sound that was more experimental. Many of the tracks of Tool that I have the most personal connection with are on this album. Specifically tracks that really demonstrated the power of Maynards vocals such as in Pushit, Forty Six and 2 and Third Eye. Where Third Eye be one of the bands greatest songs, one about the opening of ones mind to true spiritual being, and the power of psychedelic experiences.

Best Tracks: Stinkfist, Forty Six and 2, Pushit, Aenema, and Third Eye.

1) Lateralus

Tools Magnum Opus. One of the few albums without a band song. This album is meant to be a experience in which one sits down and listens to it from beginning to end and reflects on the experience. Many consider this one of the greatest albums of the 21st century and it is easy to see why. With Tracks like The Grudge, Parabola, Ticks and Leeches and a three song period of reflection after the track Lateralus. It can easily be categorized as one of the greatest albums ever.

Best Tracks: Lateralus, Parabol and Parabola