Right in time for the dark December days, one of the more interesting `tribute` albums of the year was presented to me. Even though I have to admit that the new Tool album didn`t fulfill my expectations, I am still a very big fan of Aenima and especially Opiate. This tribute was, therefore, a pleasant surprise.

Third Eye Open is the Tool-equivalent of what Apocalyptica did for Metallica. Songs from their albums decomposed and recomposed into strings-performances, in this case violins, viola, celli and a contrabass. Even though there is no basic difference between Apocalyptica and Third Eye Open, I definitely prefer the latter. Perhaps it is the structure of Tool-songs, which lends itself more to alternative interpretation than Metallica`s, but there is more sphere and more subtlety present here.

Opening act "Sober" is yet the best of the album, the rest of the tracklist reads "Intolerance", "The Grudge", "The Patient", "Opiate", "Hush", "Schism", "Ticks And Leeches", "Aenema" and "Pushit" of which both "Opiate" and "Aenema" are my personal favourites. Unfortunately, "Prison Sex" (my favourite Tool song) is not amidst these songs, but nonetheless the list is impressive and so is the final result.

This album is obligatory food for Apocalyptica- and Tool-buffs out there. People who don`t like strings should stay away from this by default, but for the rest of us it makes an excellent christmas present.