After 10 years, Tool have finally released at least part of the “curveball” – the re-recorded Opiate now known as Opiate2 (or Opiate squared). This Opiate2 audio stream can be listened to on Spotify, Apple, or your streaming service of choice.
The Opiate2 video was created by Dominic Hailstone and it won’t be released until the 18th of March. You can buy it in physical media form in that fancy booklet not unlike the Fear Inoculum release. if you’re lucky enough to be going to see the band on this tour, I think you’ll be getting a preview as well.
So, what do you think of the track? After a single listen it’s a solid re-recording, of a track that I don’t think is overly interesting. It’s a cool piece of Tool history in a revised form. I do enjoy the new additions to the track, especially the intro. The extended bridge in the middle section is pretty cool, and it’s nice to hear Danny adding some more flair to his drumming throughout. It’s always an interesting experiment when a band re-records a track! I did really enjoy this rendition live though, where it seemed to carry a little more energy. I’m mostly interested in the video though to be honest, so bring on March 18!
I think it’s good enough that it would replace the original version in any playlist I have with it.
I was worried Maynard’s vocals wouldn’t be that strong on the new recording but the scream at the end was decent and still packs a punch.
pretty similar thoughts, a solid re-recording, but tbh didn’t make me shit my pants (like most TOOL songs do on the first listen). opiate era stuff was raw and hardcore which was one of the reasons it was great. overall sound, mix, etc of this one is of course better, but it lost some of its power. maybe performed live it doesn’t seem that way. usually when they change sth in their songs those new versions are much better than the originals, in this case maybe a bit better. still, listened to it many times already. and those Danny licks… Read more »
100% agree with everything you have said. It has lost some of the power and magic from the original. Still glad they have done it and putting out more releases though.
Same as those above, just kinda so-so, though the new interlude is nice and peaceful. Wish they would’ve gone the route of Third Eye on Salival and released a live recording, that to me is a major step above the studio version, they really captured the power of that particular live performance. Does anyone else get the sense we’re going to be seeing/hearing a lot more of these little one-offs in the not too distant future?? They had a ton of downtime during the scamdemic, all those years of live recordings just sitting there waiting to be mastered and released… Read more »
I don’t think this is neccessarily a sign of more one offs. It’s more just catching up on stuff that’s been outstanding for some time.
That said, I certainly wouldn’t object to seeing more from the band that’s not blankets and non-music related merch.
no, more blankets & ass pillows! 😛
I think it sounds meh and I think Joe Barresi is afraid of drum kits.
Sounds ok to me, and not sure Joe recorded this one