"Ænema" is a song by American
rock band
Tool
A tool is an Physical object, object that can extend an individual's ability to modify features of the surrounding environment or help them accomplish a particular task. Although many Tool use by animals, animals use simple tools, only human bei ...
, released as a promotional single from their second major-label release ''
Ænima
''Ænima'' ( ) is the second studio album by the American 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. The album was recorded and cut at Ocea ...
''.
Adam Jones made a video for the song using
stop-motion animation; it is included in the ''
Salival'' box set. The song reached number twenty-five on the US
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock is a music chart published by '' Billboard'' magazine that ranks the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations in the United States. It is an administrative category that combines the " active rock" and " heritage rock" ...
chart in August 1997.
The song makes extensive use of
hemiola, a musical technique in which the emphasis in a triple meter is changed to give the illusion that both a duple and a triple meter occur in the song.
The song is cast in terminally climactic form, in which two verse/chorus pairs give way to a climactic ending on new material.
Music video
Adam Jones directed the video for "Ænema" which features
stop-motion
Stop-motion (also known as stop frame animation) is an animation, animated filmmaking and special effects technique in which objects are physically manipulated in small increments between individually photographed frames so that they will appe ...
animation with art design by Cam de Leon. The video revolves around a humanoid figure with alien-like features. Throughout the video the character ventures through an aquatic room. A hose-like organ (resembling an umbilical cord) which squirts out water protrudes from its abdomen and fills the room in which the figure stands. At one point the figure starts to dress itself as images of embryos are shown briefly. Towards the end of the video a human character wearing a business suit tosses a water-filled box containing the figure.
Track listing
Awards
Tool received the
Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for "Ænema", at the
40th Grammy Awards in 1998.
Charts
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aenema
Animated music videos
1996 songs
1997 singles
Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance
Songs about California
Songs about Los Angeles
Songs critical of religion
Songs written by Maynard James Keenan
Songs written by Danny Carey
Songs written by Paul D'Amour
Songs written by Adam Jones (musician)
Stop-motion animated music videos
Tool (band) songs
Zoo Entertainment (record label) singles