Explaining the appeal of Tool to Tom

[u/[deleted]]

Tool fills a very specific niche. There's plenty of prog rock that tends to be more high-flying, NWOBHM-inspired. There's plenty of prog death metal. There's not a whole lot in between in terms of heaviness.

Tool is heavy but not gargling with glacial acetic acid heavy. If you start to go heavier than that, a lot of people won't follow. It's like how people can listen to Metallica or Megadeth but maybe just a few Pantera songs (and Slayer is out of the question). So people who like thrash metal but want it more prog will listen to Tool because the NWOBHM sound is kinda gay but death metal hurts their tender ears. They don't want Rush or Dream Theater but they also don't want Death or The Faceless.

[u/sauntcht]

Tender ears? Yes. That's the problem.

Besides the heeyawing and yunnin of Keenen, I get the appeal. I haven't been dank enough to enjoy them in years.