Opiate (EP)

Tool's Opiate EP hits you like a brisk walk through a busy street, sharp riffs cutting through the noise and a lyrical jab at society's double standards. "Cold and Ugly" and the title track lay bare the uncomfortable truths that often get swept under the rug, serving them up with a readiness that rivals a street vendor's quick wit. While it might not soar as high as later albums, it delivers a gritty clarity from a band unafraid to throw punches at the status quo.