This is where Tool busted out after their 1991 'Cold & Ugly' and showed the world who they were.  And what a thrust, what an injection to start off a long and great career.  'Opiate', a 7-Song EP (consisting of 6 tracks and a secret song), is by far Tool's most raw, powerful, and metal effort ever.  Probably remaining so until they decide to call it quits.  Every song just feels raw, as if it were taken on one cut (the live tracks 'Cold & Ugly' and 'Jerk-Off' were recorded live).  The quality of the CD is great!  Even the live tracks sounded as if they were recorded in a studio.  Tool has never disappointed, not even from day one!  My favorite songs would have to be the title track "Opiate" and the live version of "Cold and Ugly".  Tool even shows off their goofy sides with the hidden track entitled 'The Gaping Lotus Experience', which sounds as if the entire band were on acid when they wrote/recorded it.  Funny, that's what the song is about, an acid trip!  Anyway you cut it though, this album is a great way to either start, or top off your Tool collection.