Ænima was an album released by Tool on October 1 1996. It contains a dedication (of sorts) to the late comedian Bill Hicks, proclaiming him "Another Dead Hero"; the final track, the thirteen minute epic "Third Eye", uses a few samples of Hicks' sketches -- including "Drugs have done good things for us." Tool also incorporated some of Carl Jung's (a famous Swiss psychologist) work into their album, "Ænima."

A video was made to accompany "Stinkfist", the opening track. This song has been a popular choice for club DJs playing Tool, because of its popularity, familiarity and suitability, given the length and style of most of Tool's other songs. A video for "Ænema" was also made.

At the time of its release, there was much speculation as to possibly offensive meanings behind the term "Stinkfist". For that reason, it was only referred to as "Track #1" on MTV and VH1, and VJs never actually referred to the song by its proper name. VJ Kennedy would often make fun of this, and would symbolically sniff her fist before playing the video.

The album was recorded and cut at Ocean Way, Hollywood, California and The Hook, North Hollywood, California in 1995-1996.

Ænima peaked at #2 on Billboard's Top 200 album chart.

Ænima was certified triple platinum by the RIAA on March 4, 2003

Track listing

1. Stinkfist (5:09)
2. Eulogy (8:25)
3. H. (6:07)
4. Useful Idiot (0:38)
5. Forty Six & 2 (6:02)
6. Message To Harry Manback (1:53)
7. Hooker With A Penis (4:31)
8. Intermission (0:56)
9. jimmy (5:22)
10. Die Eier Von Satan (2:16)
11. Pushit (9:55)
12. Cesaro Summability (1:26)
13. Ænema (6:37)
14. (-) Ions (3:58)
15. Third Eye (13:47)

Charting singles

1996   Stinkfist       Mainstream Rock Tracks                  No. 17
1996   Stinkfist       Modern Rock Tracks                      No. 19
1997   Ænema           Mainstream Rock Tracks                  No. 25
1997   Forty Six & 2   Mainstream Rock Tracks                  No. 22
1997   H.              Mainstream Rock Tracks                  No. 23

Personnel

• Bill Hicks - Vocals
• Chris Pitman - Synthesizer
• Tool - Producer, Concept
• Karen Mason
• David Bottrill - Keyboards, Producer, Engineer, Mixing
• Danny Carey - Drums
• Adam Jones - Guitar, Producer, Art Direction
• Maynard James Keenan - Vocals
• Joel Larson
• Concetta Halstead - Producer, Design
• Jeff Novack - Photography
• Eban Schletter - Organ
• Kevin Willis - Producer, Art Direction, Paintings
• Alana Cain - Model
• Keith Willis - Artwork
• Mark Rappaport - Effects Consultant
• Cam de Leon - Artwork, Computer Illustration
• Justin Chancellor - Bass
• Fabrico DiSanto - Photography, Photo Assistance
• Marko Fox - Vox Organ