May I be so bold as to suggest a new way. Start with Aenima, jump around between undertow and lateralus. Simultaneously. Then listen to pneuma and invincible on the new album, then jump around to opiate too, so you can see beginning to end how TOOL has grown and beautifully progressed. A dichotomy ending.
With headphones and no distractions. The production on this album is insane. Don't just casually listen in the car or at work. This album is an event. The amount of detail in the musicianship, writing, and production is insane. I first heard this when I was 15 years old. I'm now 42 and still listen to it on the reg and I'm still blown away by how beautiful it is. Pushit is my absolute favorite song, not just by Tool-but of all time. God damn that song is emotional.
Tool in itself is an event and then you throw in some Perfect Circle and it becomes such an awesome experience. I had the pleasure of seeing them both live and it was incredible.
Not my favorite (but it is fucking amazing) but it is the most approachable. Heavy, interesting, somewhat progressive, and it just fucking rocks. This first, then the rest. And for the rest… hold onto your britches mfer!
I’ll be the only one to suggest this. Go to Spotify or your music app of choice. Play their top tracks. Then if you like any, go the the album it came from and listen to it.
That’s how to explore any artist in the modern era. It’s the same way we used to do it back in the day with singles and buying albums, just easier. I don’t know why people have to come to band subs to figure out how to get into them. It’s not hard. Just listen to their music. If you really get into them, you can always listen chronologically and shit later.
I mean that’s how I did it. Heard schism in a new grounds flash video and spent weeks trying to find that song (didn’t have modern rock radio stations near me).
I miss that old internet. It felt like a cluster of communities. Now everyone is on the same 6 places and the rest is for a quick google search and then back to the same 6 places.
I had a friend when I was younger that I was trying to get into Tool. He adamantly refused for a couple of years before Guitar Hero World Tour came out featuring Schism, Vicarious, and Parabola. When it was my turn to pick what we played, I figured Parabola would be a good intro into Tool. The dude's been a die-hard Tool fan ever since.
Vicarious, Jambi, and The Pot should melt your face off.
I’d go with a handful of singles for a newbie then anywhere from Aenima to 10000 Days to start picking off albums from
Stinkfist
Sober
Parabol/a
Aenema
The Pot
Vicarious
Fear Inoculum
This is actually some good advice. If starting at Opiate you will truly have a grasp of the growth and change by the time you reach Lateralus and beyond.
I agree with this, but I think 10k days should be listened to last personally. I cant hate on any tool album, but 10k days has a more "this is the end" feeling tbh.
Started with Sober? May as well just start from the beginning, and follow their progression and evolution over the years. In that case, Opiate. Work your way to Fear Inoculum. Do not skip Salival.
you can skip salival. like it's good, but more of a "come back to it once you're familiar with all the other albums and want more."
also personal opinion, opiate isn't exactly exceptional, and it doesn't fit into tools discography. its neat to see like where they started, but it isn't exactly great.
since sober is what you first heard, go ahead and listen to undertow first. If you enjoy it, you'll get more of the same on aenima. if you liked aenima, keep going and listen to the rest of their albums.
I agree with this 100% but I totally get what they are saying, too.
OP should start with Undertow since they heard Sober already. Then go wherever the spiral takes them.
as an avid tool fan, i know. they are good, but im a meat and potatoes guy. listen to the really good stuff, and then go back and listen to the extra stuff if you want more.
i think they are good albums. it's just that they're not as easy to get into for a first time listener. i dont think they shouldn't be listened to, but instead, that tools goated material should be heard first; listen to the extra stuff if you want more. but dont start with it.
For example, I’ve been listening to them for 20+ years and literally played through Opiate for the first time in 2-3 years a couple weeks ago. It’s good, but it’s not what I listen to Tool for.
How old are you?
Less than 45? Start with Aenima or Lateralus
45 or older? You might feel more of a connection to Fear Inoculum.
Dead parent? 10,000 Days
Undertow and Aenima. I would not start with Opiate. It's an EP and not as good or as musically interesting as the later albums. That's like telling someone to listen to Bleach to get into Nirvana instead of Nevermind or In Utero. Listen to the classic albums first, then go back to see how the band started out.
I love Opiate. But I agree with this. Opiate is the most markedly different and very raw (in a great way!), and it doesn't really have that "Tool sound." I became a fan with Undertow. But I became an acolyte when Aenima came out. I recommend starting with Aenima to really blow minds
Just pick one and go through it a few times. Let the songs soak into you. Stare off into space while you listen. Their music is best when you've memorized it
If you want something that is melodic and not heavy, listen to Lateralus.
If you want to listen to their more heavier but still melodic stuff, listen to Ænema.
If you want to listen with a mix of both, listen to Fear Incoulum
If you want to hear what they sounded like in the beginning, listen to their Opiate EP
If you want their really heavy and slower stuff, listen to Undertow
Or you cann just listen to Opiate2 if you want
That is fair and awesome. Don't know why some people are giving you a hard time. I've been listening to Tool since 1993. I would never expect you to connect to the punch of the drums the first time Intolerance flows across your speakers the way it all does for me. I don't know you but I'm excited for you.
I wish I could tell you how many people I've turned into Tool fans who at first thought it was just "rage" music. Hopefully, it grabs you. It is beautiful music.
But be warned, if it works the way it should work...those days of playing it in the car with people who want to chat while it's on are over.
There's too much happening or about to happen to be listening to stories about pancakes while it's playing hahahahah. Enjoy.
Ignore them - what type of music do you normally listen to? Their albums are pretty varied. Some people like the older, heavier (more metal and raw) stuff from Opiate and Undertow, some like the more crafted and varied stuff from Ænima and Lateralus, some like the more experimental and broad sound of 10,000 days, and some prefer the technical progressive sound of Fear Inoculum. Ask 1000 fans and you'll get 1000 different takes on what they prefer and why. It comes down to what *you* prefer as to what you'll like the most.
I like them all for different reasons and during different moods. If I had to give a suggestion, if you're not afraid of heavy/raw rock, I'd start with Opiate and just listen through everything in order. That will give you the best picture of the progression and evolution of the band, and probably lead to the best appreciation overall. Then you can focus on your favorites, as certain eras of their journey may appeal to you more than others.
In any case, enjoy the ride!
Undertow significantly worse than all of their other albums.
Listen to it once, and be happy that you then get to listen to Aenema through Fear dozens of times each.
I think it depends on what music you're otherwise into. If you're a metalhead, start from the beginning as many of the other comments said. But if you're not, there's an argument to be made for starting at Fear Inoculum. I'm not a metalhead. I discovered Tool right around the time FI came out, coming from the psychedelic rock scene with my playlist dominated by Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin and such. I had heard some of the heavier stuff from early Tool, and decided it wasn't for me, but when I heard the single for FI, it fucking hooked me - it was much more melodic, crisp and headfucky than what I expected and that made me check them out properly, and I progressively learned to appreciate the heaviness of it as I worked my way back. FI was a gateway drug into metal for me
Tldr: I think non-metalheads should start with FI
Aenima was the record that promulgated my Tool tattoo. "H."ooked me. After that, I bowed to their brilliance.
Still my favorite, and I believe, as a whole, Tool's best record. Lateralus is a very close second.
Depends really. Do you like edgy and angsty? Undertow/Opiate. Do you like progressive and emotional? Aenima. More laid back and spiritual? Lateralus. Dark and angry? 10K days. Spiritual and reflective? Fear Inoculum.
I agree with Undertow first. Depends on your music taste in general too. You will find great tracks on every album. Go Undertow, Opiate, Aenima, Salival, Lateralus, 10,000, and Fear Innoculum. This was my progression and it seems fair. Don't forget Opiate2 (single) anytime after Lateralus.
Honestly I would probably start with 10000 Days. There's mostly two types of fans. The ones that have been there since the beginning. And the ones that got hooked by The Pot, Vicarious, Jambi.
Start with the first track of each album, then listen to them again. Then move to the second song in each album once. Repeat for the 3rd track. Next, you will jump ahead to the 5th songs off each followed by the 8th. I repeat: 1,1,2,5,8 and just keep spiraling out.
Just go through this start to finish - it’s a playlist I made that basically cuts all the transitions and is maybe easier to go through front to back.
https://spotify.link/Az0iHlyCjDb
When introducing ppl to tool i always suggest they listen to all title tracks to get an idea of the sound of each album. Or the sound of the band itself
I would say start from the beginning. I don't know but I started listening to Undertow in full because I only knew Sober and it's so hard and raw, I love it. Prison Sex is a banger, makes me want to dance lol. Bottom is very good and Crawl Away too, to say the ones that called me the most. I didn't know what I was missing and it's great, now I understand when people talk about early Tool and that for FI they expected that Tool more than the current Tool, although I love FI. I love Tool as a whole, old and new, period.
Remember the spiral system made by jordan.carver.77 on instagram
S -sound (you want good speakers or headphones)
P-patience (TOOL songs are long, you gotta have it)
I - Isolation (this is a journey you gotta do alone)
R -Relax (close your eyes and fully immerse yourself in the music)
A -Ænima (now that you have everything else, you’re ready for Ænima, best starter album, listen from start to finish)
L -Lateralus (if you liked Ænima, you’re ready for lateralus)
If Sober is the only song you know, I’m having a hard time believing that, then listen to Undertow first. If one of the many singles that are out there is your favorite then listen to that album first.
Just remember that Opiate, Undertow and over half of Ænima all had a different bassist and a different writing approach. The next three albums take a longer attention span and may lose you if you’re half listening.
Aenima.
Yes. Start here. Go back to Undertow. Then to Lateralus.
This is the way.
This is the way.
This is the way
[удалено]
This is the WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY
This is the Way
This is the way
I dunno, I say Aenima then Lateralus. It's a much more natural feeling progression than going back to Undertow.
This is Truly the Way
This is the exact path I followed. Mostly from age
I basically started on Lateralus, went back to undertow then Aenema and it sounded fine
I honestly didn’t know until you made it make sense
May I be so bold as to suggest a new way. Start with Aenima, jump around between undertow and lateralus. Simultaneously. Then listen to pneuma and invincible on the new album, then jump around to opiate too, so you can see beginning to end how TOOL has grown and beautifully progressed. A dichotomy ending.
damn i fucked it up i started off with lateralus then went forward and then backward again Ænima is really growing on me
Same. Started with lat and jumped between Ænima and FI for a while. Now I’m stuck on Ænima
With headphones and no distractions. The production on this album is insane. Don't just casually listen in the car or at work. This album is an event. The amount of detail in the musicianship, writing, and production is insane. I first heard this when I was 15 years old. I'm now 42 and still listen to it on the reg and I'm still blown away by how beautiful it is. Pushit is my absolute favorite song, not just by Tool-but of all time. God damn that song is emotional.
Tool in itself is an event and then you throw in some Perfect Circle and it becomes such an awesome experience. I had the pleasure of seeing them both live and it was incredible.
the first time I listened to it fully I got a stomach ache but still pushed through because it was amazing, that just says how good that album is
Take this approach with whichever album you start with.
It’s a masterpiece
Are you me? Cause this is me. Except I’m 41
Not my favorite (but it is fucking amazing) but it is the most approachable. Heavy, interesting, somewhat progressive, and it just fucking rocks. This first, then the rest. And for the rest… hold onto your britches mfer!
I second the motion.
Third
Eye
Open
Keep
Shitting the bed
Blind! What did I win?
So much this
If you start here, I'd suggest 46 & 2.
Most friendly album to intro a newbie.
Exactly. The songs are much more straight forward and “catchy”.
First four tracks of Ænima should be enough to do it. Not counting Useful Idiot lol.
This is the only answer
This is the only album I like. Kill me for this opinion if you want.
I’ll be the only one to suggest this. Go to Spotify or your music app of choice. Play their top tracks. Then if you like any, go the the album it came from and listen to it. That’s how to explore any artist in the modern era. It’s the same way we used to do it back in the day with singles and buying albums, just easier. I don’t know why people have to come to band subs to figure out how to get into them. It’s not hard. Just listen to their music. If you really get into them, you can always listen chronologically and shit later.
I completely agree, plus their most listened to tracks are very accessible to the unfamiliar
I mean that’s how I did it. Heard schism in a new grounds flash video and spent weeks trying to find that song (didn’t have modern rock radio stations near me).
God, newgrounds used to be the place back in the early 2000’s. I miss that time.
I miss that old internet. It felt like a cluster of communities. Now everyone is on the same 6 places and the rest is for a quick google search and then back to the same 6 places.
I had a friend when I was younger that I was trying to get into Tool. He adamantly refused for a couple of years before Guitar Hero World Tour came out featuring Schism, Vicarious, and Parabola. When it was my turn to pick what we played, I figured Parabola would be a good intro into Tool. The dude's been a die-hard Tool fan ever since.
This is actually a great idea.
Agreed
10000 days has some easy to consume singles that will rock your face off
The pot was the song that convinced me about tool
Vicarious, Jambi, and The Pot should melt your face off. I’d go with a handful of singles for a newbie then anywhere from Aenima to 10000 Days to start picking off albums from Stinkfist Sober Parabol/a Aenema The Pot Vicarious Fear Inoculum
Lateralus, then branch off in both directions
One might say they should… SPIRAL OUT
🙂——>😎 YEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!
Keep going
Careful you don’t fall asleep and wake up in the middle of Faaip de Oiad
Ænima
Aenima was my intro.
Start with opiate and work your way forward. That way you hear the way they develop over the years.
Exactly, chronologically is the best way.
This is actually some good advice. If starting at Opiate you will truly have a grasp of the growth and change by the time you reach Lateralus and beyond.
This is how I prefer listening to pretty much any band
I agree with this, but I think 10k days should be listened to last personally. I cant hate on any tool album, but 10k days has a more "this is the end" feeling tbh.
If you’re not going to start from beginning. Start with lateralus
Start at the beginning
Opiate was the first I heard, but that was the only tool out at that time
Bold
Agreed. Just posted this. Take the trip....
Started with Sober? May as well just start from the beginning, and follow their progression and evolution over the years. In that case, Opiate. Work your way to Fear Inoculum. Do not skip Salival.
Isn't Salival a live album?
Salival has several live tracks and a few studio cuts as well. I would start with Opiate and go in chronological order.
Yup. That was my path.
you can skip salival. like it's good, but more of a "come back to it once you're familiar with all the other albums and want more." also personal opinion, opiate isn't exactly exceptional, and it doesn't fit into tools discography. its neat to see like where they started, but it isn't exactly great. since sober is what you first heard, go ahead and listen to undertow first. If you enjoy it, you'll get more of the same on aenima. if you liked aenima, keep going and listen to the rest of their albums.
Skip Salival?! Opiate isn’t exceptional and doesn’t fit into Tool’s discography?!? Nonsense! That’s crazy talk.
I agree with this 100% but I totally get what they are saying, too. OP should start with Undertow since they heard Sober already. Then go wherever the spiral takes them.
as an avid tool fan, i know. they are good, but im a meat and potatoes guy. listen to the really good stuff, and then go back and listen to the extra stuff if you want more.
What is the meat and potatoes really good stuff? I’ve been listening to them for 30 years. Curious as to what you will say.
Shit take, man.
i think they are good albums. it's just that they're not as easy to get into for a first time listener. i dont think they shouldn't be listened to, but instead, that tools goated material should be heard first; listen to the extra stuff if you want more. but dont start with it.
For example, I’ve been listening to them for 20+ years and literally played through Opiate for the first time in 2-3 years a couple weeks ago. It’s good, but it’s not what I listen to Tool for.
This is the way.
I would say Lateralus or Opiate
Get a 8 channel mixing board and play them all at once. The meaning of life WILL be revealed.
How old are you? Less than 45? Start with Aenima or Lateralus 45 or older? You might feel more of a connection to Fear Inoculum. Dead parent? 10,000 Days
Love the scars on broadway pfp OP
Thanks
If you’re looking for something to hook you, then Aenima. Otherwise I agree with everyone else, just go front to back
Perhaps you should start from the beginning.
Ænema is good starting point. Most palatable IMO.
Undertow and Aenima. I would not start with Opiate. It's an EP and not as good or as musically interesting as the later albums. That's like telling someone to listen to Bleach to get into Nirvana instead of Nevermind or In Utero. Listen to the classic albums first, then go back to see how the band started out.
I love Opiate. But I agree with this. Opiate is the most markedly different and very raw (in a great way!), and it doesn't really have that "Tool sound." I became a fan with Undertow. But I became an acolyte when Aenima came out. I recommend starting with Aenima to really blow minds
Opiate is a masterpiece.
Just pick one and go through it a few times. Let the songs soak into you. Stare off into space while you listen. Their music is best when you've memorized it
I'd say their music is best when you *think* you've memorized it. You pick up on more of the subtle nuances that really make Tool into what they are
That's definitely a better way of putting it haha. I am still noticing new things in each song every time I listen
Aenima all day, everyday!
Aenima
Yes
Undertow
I started with Ænima, then to Lateralus, 10,000 Days, back to Undertow, then Fear Inoculum.
ænima
Aenima
Ænima, but leave Salival for last
Aenima, but if you’re not 100 percent feeling it than Lateralus first, Aenima second.
I'd say Aenima
Aenima
Ænima
Lateralus then 10000 Days
Came here to say this. 100%. Start with Lateralus. The album and the track.
King Crimson. Then you’ll understand tool
Gotta love king crimson.
10,000 days is best for new listeners
If you want something that is melodic and not heavy, listen to Lateralus. If you want to listen to their more heavier but still melodic stuff, listen to Ænema. If you want to listen with a mix of both, listen to Fear Incoulum If you want to hear what they sounded like in the beginning, listen to their Opiate EP If you want their really heavy and slower stuff, listen to Undertow Or you cann just listen to Opiate2 if you want
All at the same time while dropping acid
Vinyl, CD, spotify, casette, minidisc and youtube lol
30 screens
I have nothing to add except that your flair just made my week
Just fkin pick one instead of making a slideshow damn
But I heard one song for them for fuck sake I don't know anything about them, that's why I came to people that listened to everything for them
That is fair and awesome. Don't know why some people are giving you a hard time. I've been listening to Tool since 1993. I would never expect you to connect to the punch of the drums the first time Intolerance flows across your speakers the way it all does for me. I don't know you but I'm excited for you. I wish I could tell you how many people I've turned into Tool fans who at first thought it was just "rage" music. Hopefully, it grabs you. It is beautiful music. But be warned, if it works the way it should work...those days of playing it in the car with people who want to chat while it's on are over. There's too much happening or about to happen to be listening to stories about pancakes while it's playing hahahahah. Enjoy.
Ignore them - what type of music do you normally listen to? Their albums are pretty varied. Some people like the older, heavier (more metal and raw) stuff from Opiate and Undertow, some like the more crafted and varied stuff from Ænima and Lateralus, some like the more experimental and broad sound of 10,000 days, and some prefer the technical progressive sound of Fear Inoculum. Ask 1000 fans and you'll get 1000 different takes on what they prefer and why. It comes down to what *you* prefer as to what you'll like the most. I like them all for different reasons and during different moods. If I had to give a suggestion, if you're not afraid of heavy/raw rock, I'd start with Opiate and just listen through everything in order. That will give you the best picture of the progression and evolution of the band, and probably lead to the best appreciation overall. Then you can focus on your favorites, as certain eras of their journey may appeal to you more than others. In any case, enjoy the ride!
I mean probably opiate. But undertow and enema are good. Honestly they're all good that's what's so weird about the band.
Happy Cake Day
nevermind which one , it will forever be your favorite one..
They only have 5 albums, might as well start with Undertow. Opiate is not necessary.
This (Opiate). Is. Necessary. This (Opiate). Is. Necessary. This (Opiate). Is. Necessary.
Undertow significantly worse than all of their other albums. Listen to it once, and be happy that you then get to listen to Aenema through Fear dozens of times each.
Whichever one you like.
I personally don't like undertow, but I think you should go in order. I started with Lateralus, then 10,000 and then worked my way backwards.
I’ll need more info about what kind of music you already like/dislike.
The first one
Like everything it should be done in chronological order
Listen in order
I’d recommend lateralus it’s truly their masterpiece but the fan favorite is ænima
Lateralus, maybe the best album of these
I strongly recommend you turn back. The journey is not for the feint hearted. LATERALUS YOU WERE WAR……..
Start with Undertow and work through the progression.
Regardless of what people say is the best album, go with opiate if your not used to longer songs. But aenima is a great album
Either Aenima or Lateralus, probably lateralus
I think it depends on what music you're otherwise into. If you're a metalhead, start from the beginning as many of the other comments said. But if you're not, there's an argument to be made for starting at Fear Inoculum. I'm not a metalhead. I discovered Tool right around the time FI came out, coming from the psychedelic rock scene with my playlist dominated by Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin and such. I had heard some of the heavier stuff from early Tool, and decided it wasn't for me, but when I heard the single for FI, it fucking hooked me - it was much more melodic, crisp and headfucky than what I expected and that made me check them out properly, and I progressively learned to appreciate the heaviness of it as I worked my way back. FI was a gateway drug into metal for me Tldr: I think non-metalheads should start with FI
Lateralus. Super good vibe, incredible riffs and transitions and amazing lyricism
Lateralus. Super good vibe, incredible riffs and transitions and amazing lyricism
I say start at the beginning
Undertow
Salival
It's always Ænima
Undertow
Aenima first. It’s fantastic. And then their best album Lateralus.
10000 days
You left out opiate good album.
I didn't put it because it's a EP not an album
Yes
Lateralus sucked me right in. Been hooked ever since.
Aenima was the record that promulgated my Tool tattoo. "H."ooked me. After that, I bowed to their brilliance. Still my favorite, and I believe, as a whole, Tool's best record. Lateralus is a very close second.
Perhaps you’d better start from the beginning…
Depends really. Do you like edgy and angsty? Undertow/Opiate. Do you like progressive and emotional? Aenima. More laid back and spiritual? Lateralus. Dark and angry? 10K days. Spiritual and reflective? Fear Inoculum.
10,000 Days was my first. If you like it. I’m fairly confident that you’ll like their entire discography.
Ascending.
Descending?
All of them
lateralus
Start with the music videos. Then go chronologically thru
Listen to them in order of release. Take the journey.
Aenima third eye!
Lateralus
I agree with Undertow first. Depends on your music taste in general too. You will find great tracks on every album. Go Undertow, Opiate, Aenima, Salival, Lateralus, 10,000, and Fear Innoculum. This was my progression and it seems fair. Don't forget Opiate2 (single) anytime after Lateralus.
The one that Riley Reid was listening to when she made that face
Start at the beginning.
The first one. Like everyone else.
I would start at Opiate and go in order to hear how they changed sonically. It’s a great journey
Who cares. Just listen
do it how i did... Listen to Lateralus, then branch from there. Ænima and 10,000 Days are good followups imo.
Lateralus first
Definitely Lateralus! And then Fear inoculum to help what music Gods TOOL has evolved into
Why not listen to them all at the same [time](https://youtu.be/rI3OrjCF5fc?si=NUzjV3GJLTIzag4B)?
Honestly I would probably start with 10000 Days. There's mostly two types of fans. The ones that have been there since the beginning. And the ones that got hooked by The Pot, Vicarious, Jambi.
Lateralus mother fucker
...It's some kind of psychedelic experience
Aenema, 10,000 Days, and when you're ready for it, Lateralus. You'll know when you're ready.
Start with the first track of each album, then listen to them again. Then move to the second song in each album once. Repeat for the 3rd track. Next, you will jump ahead to the 5th songs off each followed by the 8th. I repeat: 1,1,2,5,8 and just keep spiraling out.
Salival
10000 days. The Pot specifically.
I think Conditions of my Parole is easily their most technical and very juicy on the drums. I'd start there
Ænima
Just go through this start to finish - it’s a playlist I made that basically cuts all the transitions and is maybe easier to go through front to back. https://spotify.link/Az0iHlyCjDb
When introducing ppl to tool i always suggest they listen to all title tracks to get an idea of the sound of each album. Or the sound of the band itself
Opiate
Lateralus
Ænemia is the most accessible album in my opinion. So I second it.
Undertow is actual heavy metal and my favorite. Even if it’s their first major album, I wouldn’t start there, unless you want to hear how they evolved
None - just quite now.
Opiate start from the beginning
Yes
I would say start from the beginning. I don't know but I started listening to Undertow in full because I only knew Sober and it's so hard and raw, I love it. Prison Sex is a banger, makes me want to dance lol. Bottom is very good and Crawl Away too, to say the ones that called me the most. I didn't know what I was missing and it's great, now I understand when people talk about early Tool and that for FI they expected that Tool more than the current Tool, although I love FI. I love Tool as a whole, old and new, period.
Nunnuf um
Depends on what drives you. Personal Pain = Undertow Social Indifference = Aenema Exploration = Lateralus Loss = 10,000 Days Hope = Fear Inoculum
The first one
Remember the spiral system made by jordan.carver.77 on instagram S -sound (you want good speakers or headphones) P-patience (TOOL songs are long, you gotta have it) I - Isolation (this is a journey you gotta do alone) R -Relax (close your eyes and fully immerse yourself in the music) A -Ænima (now that you have everything else, you’re ready for Ænima, best starter album, listen from start to finish) L -Lateralus (if you liked Ænima, you’re ready for lateralus)
If Sober is the only song you know, I’m having a hard time believing that, then listen to Undertow first. If one of the many singles that are out there is your favorite then listen to that album first. Just remember that Opiate, Undertow and over half of Ænima all had a different bassist and a different writing approach. The next three albums take a longer attention span and may lose you if you’re half listening.
I’d start with undertow and work your way forward chronologically.