Grammy for Best Metal Performance for “Ænima”

Unofficial Import Reissue on Double Vinyl

Released in October 1996, Ænima became one of the most significant records in Tool’s catalog and a landmark album of the 1990s alternative rock era. Prior to its success — eventually surpassing 3 million U.S. sales — the band had built a reputation around aggressive hard rock, heavy rhythms, intense emotions, and dark lyrical themes. With Ænima, however, Tool expanded its sound considerably, embracing deeper psychedelic elements, more intricate songwriting and longer, more layered compositions.

Despite this musical evolution, the band’s characteristic blend of irony and irreverent humor remained intact. The album’s title combines two distinct concepts: “anima,” a term used by psychologist Carl Jung to describe an aspect of the human soul or psyche, and “enema,” the medical procedure associated with an anal cleanse. According to vocalist Maynard James Keenan in a 1996 interview, the title reflects themes of transformation, renewal, and clearing away the old to make room for something new.

Ænima is Tool’s second full-length studio album, and it marked the recording debut of bassist Justin Chancellor, who joined the band after replacing founding bassist Paul D’Amour in 1995. The album entered the Billboard 200 at #2 and later was certified 3X Platinum. In 2003, Kerrang! ranked it among the most influential albums ever released and, in 2017, Rolling Stone included it in its list of the greatest metal albums of all time.

“Stinkfist” was the album’s only commercially released single. Due to concerns about the song’s title and lyrical content, MTV referred to its music video as “Track No. 1” and modified portions of the lyrics for broadcast.

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