Ænima is the second studio album by the rock band Tool. It was released in vinyl format on September 17, 1996, and in compact disc format on October 1, 1996, through Zoo Entertainment. Tool released 4 singles in support of their album Ænima: Stinkfist released on October 11, 1996, H. released on March 19, 1997, Ænema, released on August 9, 1997 and Forty Six & 2 released on January 5, 1998.
The album was recorded and cut at Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood and The Hook in North Hollywood from 1995 to 1996. It is the first album by Tool to feature bassist Justin Chancellor, who replaced original bassist Paul D’Amour the year prior. The album was produced by David Bottrill.
The album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart upon its initial release, selling 148,000 copies in its first week. It was certified triple platinum by the RIAA on March 4, 2003. The album appeared on several lists of the best albums of 1996.
The track Ænema won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1998. Ænima is Tool‘s first studio album with former Peach bassist Justin Chancellor.
The title Ænima is a combination of the words ‘anima’ (Latin for ‘soul’ and associated with the ideas of “life force”, and a term often used by psychologist Carl Jung) and ‘enema’, the medical procedure involving the injection of fluids into the rectum.
Promotional singles were issued, in order of release, for “Stinkfist”, “H.”, “Ænema” and “Forty-Six & 2” with just the first and third receiving music videos. Several of the songs are short segues or interludes that connect to longer songs, pushing the total duration of the CD towards the maximum of around 80 minutes.
These segues are “Useful Idiot”, “Message to Harry Manback”, “Intermission”, “Die Eier von Satan”, “Cesaro Summability”, and “(-) Ions”.
Tracklist:
- Stinkfist
- Eulogy
- H.
- Useful Idiot
- Forty Six & 2
- Message to Harry Manback
- Hooker with a Penis
- Intermission
- jimmy
- Die Eier von Satan (German: “The Eggs of Satan”)
- Pushit
- Cesaro Summability
- Ænema
- (-) Ions
- Third Eye
Tool
Maynard James Keenan: vocals
Adam Jones: guitars, production, artwork direction
Justin Chancellor: bass
Danny Carey: drums, percussion, samples
Additional personnel
David Bottrill: piano and keyboards on (Message to Harry Manback)
Eban Schletter: organ on (Intermission)
Marko Fox: vocals on (Die Eier von Satan)
Chris Pitman: additional synthesizers on (Third Eye)
Production
David Bottrill: producer, engineer, mixing
Alana Cain: model (contortionist)
Cam de Leon: artwork, computer illustration
Fabrico DiSanto: photography, photo assistance
Gudrun Fox: translation of (Die Eier von Satan)
Jeremy Glasgow: assistant percussionist
Concetta Halstead: producer, design
Billy Howerdel: guitar tech, ‘Pro Tools’ technician
Joel Larson
Karen Mason
Jeff Novack: photography
Mark Rappaport: effects consultant
Keith Willis: artwork, producer, art direction, paintings
