How Tool transformed from a 1991 demo band into a multi-platinum rock force
In short: From selling demo tapes to fans in 1991 to dominating the Billboard charts, Tool's discography is a masterclass in evolution. The band has navigated lineup changes and legal battles to produce five studio albums, including three that reached triple platinum status, cementing their legacy in heavy music.
After guitarist Adam Jones and vocalist Maynard James Keenan established the group in 1990, drummer Danny Carey and bassist Paul D'Amour joined the lineup. Their early momentum was immediate; after releasing a demo EP titled 72826 in 1991, the band signed with Zoo Entertainment just three months later. This led to their first studio EP, Opiate, in March 1992, followed by their debut full-length album, Undertow, in April 1993.
The band's trajectory shifted in September 1995 when bassist D'Amour departed amicably, making way for Justin Chancellor. This lineup change preceded the release of Ænima in October 1996, an album that eventually surpassed Undertow in sales and earned a triple platinum certification from the RIAA in 2003. The single "Ænema" from this era secured a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1998.
After a hiatus following legal disputes with their label, Tool returned in May 2001 with Lateralus, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. The single "Schism" earned a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2002. Their subsequent releases, 10,000 Days in May 2006 and Fear Inoculum in August 2019, continued their commercial and critical success. Notably, 10,000 Days debuted at number one and sold 564,000 copies in its first US week.
The band's enduring influence is reflected in their recent activity, such as the March 2022 re-release of a re-recorded "Opiate" single to mark the 30th anniversary of the original Opiate EP.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Tool discography
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