Opiate

Opiate

• Shrink-wrapped

As the title of Tool's 1992 debut implies, they're none too impressed by religion, though other targets--fear ("Cold and Ugly"), hypocritical moralizing ("Jerk-Off"), nonconformity ("Hush")--get their time in the spotlight as well. <i>Opiate</i> is a collection of heavy, aggressive, cynical music (though the tail end of the title track sounds more like acid rock), packaged in songs noticeably shorter than on their later efforts (<i>Undertow</i>, 1993, and <i>Aenima</i>, 1996). While not as impressive as <i>Undertow</i>, arguably their finest effort, <i>Opiate</i> has a definite appeal. If ear-crunching riffs and enraged lyrics are what you go for, check this one out. <I>--Genevieve Williams</I>