Source: Studio Soundboard Demo Tape
Source 1: Original Cassette Demo / Tool Wrench Demo
Transfer 1: Demo > Pioneer CT-W205R > ANA > U24XL > Goldwave > WAV (CU.ORG transfer 2002)
Source 2: Original Cassette Demo / Mixed Variant
Transfer 2: Demo Tape > Pioneer CT-W205R > ANA > U24XL > Goldwave > WAV (CU.ORG transfer 2020)
Source 3: Original Cassette Demo / Un-Mixed Variant
Transfer 3: Demo Tape > Pioneer CT-W205R > ANA > U24XL > Goldwave > WAV (CU.ORG transfer 2020)

Note the code on the cassette tape = 72826. It is very easy to interpolate on a rotary phone that the code spells out SATAN.

Notes (Galen 2002): Tool's demo tape. They are studio quality but have a slight tape hiss to the them, which is actually pretty hard to pick out. Interesting if you want to hear the demo's. This was originally only in cassette format & was distributed at gigs. Soon, copies were made & they started spreading out. The demos even ended up on bootlegs like Sleep Forever. Word has it that they last one they gave out to a fan somewhere in the mid-west US during 1992 from the sound engineer or crew. Most copies of the demo tape are from MP3 source, this is not. There is a rumor that Tool did a cover of Ozzy Osbourne's Crazy Train but all that is - a rumor. Or, is it? Do you think there is a tight-sealed secret of an ozzy cover? Hmm. What evidence is there? Well, what about the unreleased Rage Against The Machine w/Tool collaboration entitled "Kill The Revolutionary" that features both ands? It is of rough quality & was a demo for the film Judgment Night but was not used nor did it make it on the soundtrack -- in case you don't know, back in 1992/1993. For those that have heard this; it is a very rough sounding recording. However, there are pristine, clear, beautiful copies of this available. Or is there? As a nod to my own musical interest, I would recommend the 'Judgement Night' soundtrack; it was one of the best. It featured mash-ups of metal/hip-hop (you can see why RATM/Tool did not make the cut) but it was interesting as it feautred bands like Cypress Hill w/Sonic Youth + Pearl Jam, Helmet w/House Of Pain & other metal/rap acts to collaborate on an album. Movie decent but not as good as soundtrack. Anyway, the songs below are the actual studio demos, nothing 'illicit' or really unreleased. This will hopefully give even the casual Tool fan a good kick in the ass. The intensity, passion & hunger is evident, clear & concise. I could not possibly recommend this any higher than I am at this point. Hope you enjoy it.

Notes (Galen 2013) - Availability/Torrent: There have been several torrents of the "demo tape" by Tool, however, from what I can tell, all(?) are unsubstanciated copies sourced from 'someone else who has it' or 'I got it from someone else on CD' scenario. So, I figured it would be worthwhile to get the definitive transfer available. As such, this is the actual demo tape (that Tool sold out at their performances very early in their career). At one point I had two of these items but I parted with one to give to a good friend. There were or are, theoretically, at least a thousand of these floating around (actual # is not known but is low) & the actual cassette copies are actually quite sought-after as they are pieces of rock history. I ascertained this copy from someone who once was rather close to the band. There is no doubt that this is 100% legit. I included a couple pictures in the torrent file itself of the actual cassette + artwork.

Notes 2024: There is a treasure trove of Lore surrounding Tool’s demo tape. In the most simple terms, I will attempt to explain what I know to be true about this particular item. Surprising to some, there were indeed two mixes of the fabled Tool demo tape floating around and it appears the unmixed version was actually the rare item between the two. The fabled Wrench Demo (see picture son CU.ORG above) was sold at gigs and available for mail order in the early 1990’s – which is how CU.ORG ascertained it’s own copy. The unmixed and mixed are the same recordings of the demos, however, considering the source who hooked us up with the mixed and unmixed versions (i.e.: previous label agent, let us leave it at that), these were indeed a thing. Interestingly and as a note, the unmixed demo tape has a handwritten notation saying Maynard’s Dick however this song was not on the cassette whereas it was on the mixed demo version but left off the Wrench Demo tape. Why? Perhaps the band knew they wanted to save it for the year 2000 where they placed it on the Salival box set which was released to relieve them from their contractual obligation with the former label so they could go about and release Lateralus a year later. Or not.

Variations: Bear with me as there are basically three variations of the Demo Tape. The well-known version with the Wrench which is mixed very, very nice just like the variation I refer to as “Mixed Demo Tape” however the well-known version lacks Maynard’s Dick (apparently it wasn’t long enough to fit… waiting for the eye rolls). The unmixed variation and the mixed w/Maynard’s Dick were verified and transferred by CU.ORG circa the great purge ALA pandemic of 2020.

Original Cassette Demo / Tool Wrench Demo (Mail Order/Sold at Early Gigs)
Time: 22:41

3:45 = Cold & Ugly
2:37 = Hush
2:56 = Part of Me
4:46 = Crawl Away
4:29 = Sober
3:57 = Jerk-Off

Unmixed Demo Tape
Time: 22:30

Mixed Demo Tape
Time: 27:34

Cold & Ugly
Hush
Part of Me
Crawl Away
Sober
Jerk Off
Maynard’s Dick
(Salival version)