On the Record: Tool – Ænima (1996 Original Vinyl Pressing)

Tool’s Ænima isn’t just an album — it’s a dark, complex, and immersive statement that helped define progressive alt-metal in the 1990s. Released in 1996, Ænima was never widely issued on vinyl at the time, and the original US double LP pressing on Zoo Entertainment has since become one of the most sought-after modern records in existence.

With no reissue for over two decades, collectors drove prices into the thousands for authentic original pressings. In an era of mass reissues, Ænima remained notoriously out of reach — until finally repressed in 2019. But the 1996 first pressing remains the ultimate version for Tool fans and serious vinyl heads.

Behind the Pressing

Tool’s vinyl releases have always been scarce, but Ænima was a particular anomaly. Released in very small numbers via Zoo Entertainment (catalog number 72445-11087-1), this double LP featured:

Etched D-side artwork, instead of music

Thick cardboard gatefold sleeve

Opaque black vinyl only — no colored variants in this run

Because Tool had a fiercely anti-commercial stance, the album received no major vinyl marketing. This, coupled with its now-iconic status, turned it into a long-term collector’s obsession.

How to Identify the Original Pressing

Label: Zoo Entertainment logo on labels and jacket (not Volcano or RCA)

Matrix/runout: Etched with “L-47261” and related mastering info

Vinyl: Standard black vinyl only; 2 LPs with etched artwork on side D

Jacket: Heavy stock gatefold with glossy finish and original artwork

⚠️ Watch out for bootlegs. Many unofficial reissues popped up in the 2000s and 2010s — often poorly pressed with washed-out artwork or on colored vinyl. If it’s not from Zoo, it’s not legit.

Collector’s Value

Original Ænima pressings in excellent condition often sell for $1,000–$2,500 AUD, especially if complete and clean. Even played copies fetch strong prices. The 2019 reissue is great — but nothing touches the legacy and rarity of the 1996 original.

Why It Matters

Dense, haunting, and sonically intense, Ænima was Tool’s breakout moment — and its original vinyl pressing is the perfect reflection of the band's cult mystique. In an era before vinyl came roaring back, Ænima was released quietly... then echoed loudly in collector circles for decades to come.