Back in 2016 at the Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California, Tool debuted a reimagined extended version of "Opiate," the title track of their debut EP, which has since become a familiar feature of their show, including on the group's current tour. The following year, guitarist Adam Jones revealed that they had recorded the proggier reworking in the studio and that visual effects artist Dominic Hailstone (Alien: Covenant, The Eel) had created a music video for it. Of course, this being Tool, five long years later, the results are only finally seeing the light of day. But also, this being Tool, the wait is well rewarded.
Up first is the track, dubbed "Opiate²," which nearly doubles up on the original's runtime (around five minutes and 20 seconds) with tweaks throughout but most noticeably in the new rendition's jammy, psychedelic midsection. It hit digital streaming platforms this morning (March 1st) and can be blasted above via YouTube. Next comes the music video: The short film is due out March 18th as part of the Blu-ray release of "Opiate²." The deluxe package includes a 46-page art book with behind-the-scenes and making-of photos as well as interviews and insights from special guests — and is available for pre-orders now.
