This album defined my `coming-of-age' musically. It is Tool at their most intense, full of the driving bass lines, heavy guitars, and thrashing drums that define so much of mid-90s metal. This album, though, is strikingly unique because the heaviness is intricately laced with moments of sheer melodic bliss. `H.', the album's third track is the perfect example: it starts with a pounding three note bass line and slowly progresses to moments of utter rhythmic beauty. Maynard draws a deep breathe before he sings softly over clean guitar scales and the ticking of drum rims, and suddenly bursts into a high-pitched scream, careening the song back into it's heavy beginnings. This album taught me to listen less for the next heavy riff and more for MUSICANSHIP, and in that respect, is probably the most important album I've ever listened to.