# Tool discography
The **Tool discography** consists of the releases by Tool, a band formed in Los Angeles in 1990 and made up of [Danny Carey](https://www.edgepedia.org/danny-carey) (drums), [Justin Chancellor](https://www.edgepedia.org/justin-chancellor) (bass), Adam Jones (guitar), and [Maynard James Keenan](https://www.edgepedia.org/maynard-james-keenan) (vocals).[1](https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/artist/tool/) It comprises five studio albums—Undertow (1993), Ænima (1996), Lateralus (2001), 10,000 Days (2006), and Fear Inoculum (2019)—the EPs 72826 (1991) and Opiate (1992), and the limited-edition box set Salival (2000).[1](https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/artist/tool/) Lateralus, 10,000 Days, and Fear Inoculum each reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and the band has won three Grammy Awards from six nominations.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) • [3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/tool/14795/)
Tool formed in Los Angeles in 1990 and released four multi-platinum studio albums, Undertow (1993), Ænima (1996), [Lateralus](https://www.edgepedia.org/lateralus) (2001), and 10,000 Days (2006), before returning after a 13-year gap with [Fear Inoculum](https://www.edgepedia.org/fear-inoculum) (2019).[1](https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/artist/tool/) The band is Danny Carey (drums), Justin Chancellor (bass), Adam Jones (guitar), and Maynard James Keenan (vocals).[1](https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/artist/tool/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | Undertow (1993), Ænima (1996), Lateralus (2001), 10,000 Days (2006), Fear Inoculum (2019)[1](https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/artist/tool/) |
| EPs and box set | 72826 (1991) and Opiate (1992); limited-edition box set Salival (2000)[1](https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/artist/tool/) |
| Chart peaks | Lateralus, 10,000 Days, and Fear Inoculum each reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) |
| Grammy Awards | Three wins from six nominations: Best Metal Performance for "Ænema" (1998) and "Schism" (2002), Best Recording Package for 10,000 Days (2007)[3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/tool/14795/) |
| Longest Hot 100 entry | The ten-minute title track of Fear Inoculum became the longest song to appear on the Hot 100[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) |
| Streaming debut | The back catalog (except Salival) reached streaming services on August 2, 2019, ahead of Fear Inoculum on August 30[4](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2019/Music%20Week%2008192019.pdf) |
| Lineup change | Original bassist Paul D'Amour left after Undertow; Justin Chancellor played on every album from Ænima onward[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) |
## Early releases: Opiate and Undertow
Tool's first release was the EP Opiate in 1992, issued on [Zoo Entertainment](https://www.edgepedia.org/zoo-entertainment).[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) The band had written most of the songs for its debut album by the time it recorded Opiate, but chose to enter the international scene with the EP first.[5](https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-tool-started) A second EP, 72826, had appeared in 1991.[1](https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/artist/tool/)
**Undertow**, the debut full-length album, was recorded in roughly three weeks with producer Sylvia Massy, splitting time between Sound City and Grandmaster Studios in Los Angeles.[5](https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-tool-started) The album featured Keenan on vocals, Adam Jones on guitar, [Paul D'Amour](https://www.edgepedia.org/paul-damour) on bass, and Danny Carey on drums, with special appearances by [Henry Rollins](https://www.edgepedia.org/henry-rollins) and Chris Haskett.[6](https://www.classicrockhistory.com/complete-list-of-tool-albums-and-discography/) A prime slot on the third [Lollapalooza](https://www.edgepedia.org/lollapalooza) tour in 1993 helped the album reach platinum status, and renewed interest even pushed the 1992 Opiate EP onto the Billboard charts.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820)
## Ænima and the label dispute
While Tool was in the studio recording a follow-up, D'Amour amicably parted ways with the band, and Justin Chancellor took his place.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) **Ænima**, the band's sophomore album, arrived in late 1996 and reached number two on the [Billboard charts](https://www.edgepedia.org/billboard-charts), earning multi-platinum certification in less than a decade.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) The singles "Stinkfist," "Forty Six & 2," and the Grammy-winning title track were all Top Ten hits on the U.S. Rock chart, supported by music videos created by Jones.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) The song "Ænema" won the [Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance](https://www.edgepedia.org/grammy-award-for-best-metal-performance) in 1998.[3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/tool/14795/)
A lengthy legal battle with the band's then-label followed, leaving Tool's future uncertain for years.[7](https://www.loudersound.com/music/albums/tool-lateralus-at-25) During the hiatus, Keenan formed [A Perfect Circle](https://www.edgepedia.org/a-perfect-circle) with former Tool guitar tech [Billy Howerdel](https://www.edgepedia.org/billy-howerdel), whose debut [Mer de Noms](https://www.edgepedia.org/mer-de-noms) appeared in 2000; to quell breakup rumors, Tool issued the stopgap B-sides and DVD set Salival late that year.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820)
## Lateralus and 10,000 Days
**Lateralus**, released in May 2001, marked the end of the five-year legal struggle. The band changed its writing method: where Ænima had seen Keenan forging melodies and lyrics alongside the instrumentalists, this time Carey, Jones, and [Chancellor](https://www.edgepedia.org/chancellor) worked through four years' worth of riffs and ideas while Keenan largely left them to it.[7](https://www.loudersound.com/music/albums/tool-lateralus-at-25) The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold 550,000 copies in its first week.[7](https://www.loudersound.com/music/albums/tool-lateralus-at-25) The single "Schism," released in January 2001, won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance and was the band's first song to chart on the Hot 100.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) • [3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/tool/14795/) The packaging featured anatomical, translucent artwork by Alex Grey in a multi-layered clear plastic booklet.[7](https://www.loudersound.com/music/albums/tool-lateralus-at-25)
Both Ænima and Lateralus were recorded with engineer David Bottrill; for **10,000 Days** (2006) the band changed approach, working with recording engineer and mixer Joe Barresi and mastering engineer Bob Ludwig.[8](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/00s/2006/Mix-2006-07.pdf) The album became the band's third chart-topper and spawned the singles "Vicarious," "Jambi," and the U.S. Mainstream Rock number one "The Pot."[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) Although it was the band's lowest-selling effort to that point, it won Tool its third Grammy Award, for Best Recording Package.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820)
## Fear Inoculum and the streaming era
After another extended hiatus, during which Keenan released music with Puscifer and A Perfect Circle and the band was tied up in a lawsuit resolved in 2015, Tool returned in August 2019 with **Fear Inoculum**, its fifth album and first in 13 years.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) • [1](https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/artist/tool/) On August 2, 2019, the band's back catalog, except the live and rarities album Salival, was made available on streaming services for the first time; the move propelled all of the band's past albums back onto the charts.[4](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2019/Music%20Week%2008192019.pdf) • [2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) Fear Inoculum followed on August 30 and became the band's third straight chart-topper.[9](https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/tool-catalogue-now-available-via-digital-service-providers) • [2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) Its ten-minute title track became the longest song ever to appear on the Hot 100 and the first track over ten minutes in the chart's 60-year history.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) • [10](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2019/Billboard-2019-12-07.pdf) The song "7empest" won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2020.[3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/tool/14795/)
In March 2022, Tool re-released the song "Opiate" as a single titled "Opiate²," marking the 30th anniversary of the debut EP.[2](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820) As of 2026, drummer Danny Carey has said the band is working on new songs with a goal of release in 2027.[11](https://www.loudersound.com/news/tool-new-album-2027-las-vegas-the-sphere-residency-2026)
## Awards summary
Tool's Grammy record stands at three wins from six nominations.[3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/tool/14795/) The wins are Best Metal Performance for "Ænema" (1998), "Schism" (2002), and "7empest" (2020); the nominations include Best Hard Rock Performance for "Vicarious" (2007) and "The Pot" (2008), and Best Short Form Music Video for "Stinkfist" (1998).[3](https://www.grammy.com/artists/tool/14795/) Sony Music additionally credits the band with a Best Recording Package win for 10,000 Days in 2007.[1](https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/artist/tool/)
## References
1. [TOOL, Sony Music UK](https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/artist/tool/)
2. [Tool, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tool-mn0000790820)
3. [Tool Grammy Awards and Nominations, Recording Academy](https://www.grammy.com/artists/tool/14795/)
4. [Tool for a lifetime, Music Week (August 19, 2019)](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2019/Music%20Week%2008192019.pdf)
5. [Inside the chaotic birth of Tool, Louder Sound / Metal Hammer](https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-tool-started)
6. [Complete List Of Tool Albums And Discography, ClassicRockHistory.com](https://www.classicrockhistory.com/complete-list-of-tool-albums-and-discography/)
7. [How Tool survived to create Lateralus, Louder Sound / Metal Hammer](https://www.loudersound.com/music/albums/tool-lateralus-at-25)
8. [Recording notes: Tool's 10,000 Days, Mix Magazine (July 2006)](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/00s/2006/Mix-2006-07.pdf)
9. [Tool catalogue now available via digital service providers, Sony Music Canada](https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/tool-catalogue-now-available-via-digital-service-providers)
10. [Grammy Awards, Billboard (December 7, 2019)](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2019/Billboard-2019-12-07.pdf)
11. [Tool hope to release a new album and put on a Las Vegas Sphere residency in 2027, Louder Sound](https://www.loudersound.com/news/tool-new-album-2027-las-vegas-the-sphere-residency-2026)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musical works and recordings › Discographies and musical catalogues › Artist and group discographies › Rock, metal, punk, and indie discographies › Metal and hard rock discographies*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license