Tool - Undertow

Label: Volcano Entertainments
Catologue Number: CDFMN246
Format: CD
Date: 1993
Style: Alternative Rock / Progressive Metal
Rating: 5/10
Reviewer: Sidney James

Much has been talked about Tool in the rock press, mainly centring on how they are one of the few visionaries left within a conservative rock scene dominated by over hyped nu-metal bands. Most people will probably come in contact with Tool by their ground breaking Aenima album or via Lead singer’s Maynard James Keenan’s vocal contributions to the A Perfect Circle album Mer De Noms. Before the success of Aenima and the growing momentum of support and plaudits Tool released an album by the name of Undertow in 1993. An album, which gives a good indication of where Tool influences were germinated and the future directions, they were about to embark on.

The first thing that is noticeable about Undertow is that it is a far more linear album than Aenima. There is none of the strange experimental sutures that link together the longer tracks on Aenima. Also most of the tracks stick to a well-used formula: the slow/ fast dynamic. The moments of experimentation and use of different sounds and tones is also very minimal in their appearances. If anything Undertow sees Tool developing a sound rather than pushing at the limits of rock music. However comparing them to a lot of their co-patriots at the time (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and the Seattle scenesters) Tool sound highly original and innovative.

So what we have sonically with Undertow is a album that although nods a head in the direction of the then buoyant Grunge scene is different enough to be seen as forging a new musical direction for rock music. What really separates Tool from the other bands at the time was their lack of histrionics. Where as other bands showed a direct lineage to 70’s metal and 80’s underground alt rock and punk, Tool manage to pull these influences in a new direction. However what stops Undertow from being an all out classic is that is all a little bit one dimensional.

What we have with Undertow is an album that gets stuck in a rut. Although it’s not a bad rut it’s one that limits the initial potential of Tool (This was resolved by the time of the release of Aenima). Undertow is therefore marked by a trademark sound all the way through like the name in a stick of rock.

So what is this sound? What we have is a heavy rock sound lead by the drums and bass which create a rhythmic undertow (pun intended) to Tool’s music. Over this we get harsh grinding stattcho guitars and Maynard’s high and rich vocals. We also get much use of the fast/slow dynamic with most tracks following this pattern. The first two tracks Intolerance and Prison Sex are could easily be interchangeable. With only the fact that Prison Sex deals with Maynard’s abuse by his father giving it uniqueness. It’s just a shame that with the rise of nu-metal that this topic has been overused and cheapen.

The album begins to really come alive with Bottom although sticking to bass lead fast /slow formula. However variation is added with echo being added to Maynard’s voice. Add to this a spoken word middle section and a explosion of sound at the end of the song, and you get some idea of the potential that Tool where to show in the future.

Other attempts to mess with the formula see Tool adding a thrash out start to the track of Crawl Away, the use of an eastern sounding chord progression on 40. Also on the title track Undertow, we see Tool using soaring guitars and a fantastic-attacking vocal from Maynard. All which helps push the track in a more progressive direction. The only track that sees Tool really truly escape their approach is the final track Disgustipated. This track sees Tool laying down a heavy tribal rhythm matched with a repeated chant of “This is necessary, Life feeds on Life”. Add to this strange metallic clanging and down tuned guitars. The song then finishes with a swirl of static looped into its self. This acts, as a fantastic link into Aenima when both albums are played back to back and almost seems as a deliberate act by Tool.

Undertow can be seen in a similar light to Radiohead’s Pablo Honey. Both albums are an example of bands that haven’t yet completely shaken off their influences but are trying to achieve something new. Both albums also show the potential of the bands but are limited in radical ideas. However both bands proved with their second albums that they had true and unique visions. Undertow is worth your pennies and a must if you’re a hardcore Tool fan, for the new listener I would recommend Aenima as an introduction to the wonderful and frightening world of Tool.