The Tool discography is short: five studio albums in nearly three decades, plus the 1992 EP Opiate. The band formed in Los Angeles in 1990, and three of its members have been there from the start: singer Maynard James Keenan, guitarist Adam Jones and drummer Danny Carey. Bassist Justin Chancellor joined in 1995, replacing Paul D’Amour. This guide goes through every Tool release in order, with a few pointers on where to begin.

Opiate and Undertow (1992–1993)

The Opiate EP came out in March 1992. Undertow (1993), the first full studio album, was made with Paul D’Amour on bass.

Ænima (1996)

Justin Chancellor replaced D’Amour in 1995, and Ænima (1996) was the first album he made with the band. Its track “Ænema” won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 1998.

Lateralus and 10,000 Days (2001–2006)

Lateralus followed in 2001, and its track “Schism” won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2002. 10,000 Days (2006) won the 2007 Grammy for Best Recording Package, an award for the album’s packaging.

I tell the modern side of this story in my book Beyond the Decades →

Fear Inoculum (2019)

Fear Inoculum arrived in 2019, thirteen years after 10,000 Days. Its track “7empest” won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2020.

Where to start

With five albums, the simplest route is the chronological one, from Undertow to Fear Inoculum, so you can follow the band from record to record. If you would rather place Tool among their neighbours first, my comparisons Dream Theater vs Tool and King Crimson vs Tool set them against two very different bands, and prog albums for Tool listeners suggests where to go once you know them.

Go deeper

The Tool band page has a guide to each album, the Opiate EP included. For the wider picture, see my list of the best progressive rock albums, and if you are new to the genre, start with my progressive rock for beginners guide.

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