Agon, Funest, Axone, and Tool

With dreams of lives in the film industry, bassist Paul D’Amour and guitarist Adam Jones moved to Los Angeles during the 1980s, which is where they met singer Maynard James Keenan and drummer Danny Carey. Upon forming in 1990, the band spent two years performing live shows around Los Angeles, and recording demos to raise their profile. In 1992 Tool signed with Zoo Entertainment, who issued the band’s debut EP “Opiate” the same year. Led by the singles “Hush” and “Opiate”, the record was a hard-hitting, heavy release and was supported with a tour alongside Rollins Band, Fishbone and Rage Against the Machine.

With Nirvana augmenting the successful grunge period of the late eighties and early nineties, Tool toned down the metal themes on their debut full-length, “Undertow”. Released in 1993, the record rose to No. 50 on the Billboard 200, and was marked by its nihilistic and haunting aesthetic. Following the release the band played a successful series of shows on the 1993 Lollapalooza tour, where they moved from the second stage to the main, and were introduced by comedian Bill Hicks.

Tool’s second studio album, “Ænima” was released in March 2003 marked by the departure of bassic D’Amour and arrival of Justin Chancellor. Produced by prog-rock producer David Bottrill, the record was dedicated to the late Bill Hicks, who had shared many of the band’s ideals. Later earning triple platinum certification despite the falling popularity of alternative rock, the record was led by the Grammy-winning titled track and led Tool to become figureheads of alternative metal.

Once again supported by an extensive touring schedule, the band’s third full-length “Lateralus” followed in 2001, this time marked with art rock themes with greater atmospheric accompaniments both visual and auditory. Rising to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, an impressive feat for an alt-metal group, the record spawned the single “Schism”, which went on the win the Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2001. Two years of solid touring followed, including dates alongside King Crimson, following which the group’s members took time away from Tool to focus on other interests.

Led by the single “Vicarious”, Tool’s fourth full-length album, “10,000 Days”, arrived in May 2006, once again topping the U.S. Billboard 200. Proving not quite as popular as its predecessor, the album’s packaging later won the Grammy for Best Recording Package, and was supported with constant touring alongside Isis and Mastadon.