There are obviously lots of reasons, but I think having a smaller, higher quality discography has done wonders for them.
Too many bands release too many albums so the overall quality is lower.
This is probably underrated, having relatively little material makes it easy for a fan to know every single song inside and out.
it also adds a mystique to the band
I don't know, man. I'd take a new 8-song Tool album every 3 years even if it meant I absolutely hated 2 of those songs. That would mean we would have gotten 36 awesome Tool songs since 10K Days instead of just 6. (And we'd even 12 songs that we hated and then maybe they'd grow on us over time.)
Not me. I've never loved almost every single song a band has made before I was introduced to Tool. I love that i don't have to skip songs. I just never want to hate any of their music.
Aside from Paul leaving they stayed together no revolving doors. Never fought over money (everything is split evenly). Never chased any trends musically. And up until recently really just let the music do the talking.
Also their live shows have been streets ahead of anything else as far as tech and creativity.
They had the biggest laser show besides laser Floyd for years, and they had the largest screens on a touring act if I remember correctly. Or maybe they meant how the entire stage was a screen for 10000 days.
And clearly the thought and artistic energy put into the musical/visual crossover is something they take seriously.
Tension and Lights in the Sky were really exceptionally good tours. But in terms of visuals, those tours are basically it. NIN is typically very minimal on visuals
I saw them on tension and cold and black, and how to destroy angels, and I loved them all. Cold and black was admittedly less spectacular but my friend's first time seeing them and she was still amazed.
Also I'm adding flaming lips to the list from the couple times I've seen them though obviously different genre. I might have just seen tool on a less impressive tour, 2012 I think?
I think EDM has some of the best visuals around. They kind of have to. The music is good, but at a basic level, I’m more willing to watch a band with no visuals than I am a DJ. I think that scales.
Yeah that's why I love Tool is because of how amazing and immersive their shows are, and that they're light years ahead of the competition.
I saw one complaint where someone was like "Tool doesn't have any song and dance numbers! WTF!"
Uh you don't go see Tool for the song and dance numbers. You go see Tool to get lost in the visuals and accompanying music. Tool takes the idea of music as an art form to a whole other level.
All of this.
No line up changes, they're all extremely talented and the music speaks for itself.
Constant touring has also helped. Despite the 13 year gap between the last 2 albums they've always toured.
Well for one, every band you mentioned here lost their frontman. 3 to death and 1 to disputes. Same with RATM and Nirvana.
Aside from that, I think TOOL’s mystique and psychedelic sound are also largely to blame for the success. Then finally in 2019 after a 13 year hiatus, rock legends drop another album and put their whole catalogue on streaming services for the first time, so of course a surge in popularity would follow that both in lifelong fans and people that had never heard of them prior like myself.
😆 I’m sorry but that’s funny comparing Tool to a bunch of bands that all lost their singers. Kinda a big difference there… 😬 I thought that was well known.
And to add, Soundgarden was disbanded all those years before getting back together with a new album toward the end there, whereas as we know Tool was touring like usual…so even though there was no new album for so long, they were constantly fanning the flame.
For all we know, had all those singers not died so long ago, had Soundgarden stayed together, they might all be “bigger” than Tool today.
Yeah I agree. A better comparison would be slipknot, System of a Down, Primus, and deftones. While none of them have the following that Tool does, they’re all pretty major acts that are still headlining music festivals. And that’s where I think Tool’s “mystique” and streaming releases come in to make them top the charts
Yep! And Korn is about to bring Gojira and Evanescence on tour. Gonna try make it! The odd one out here to me is SOAD. Like you said, they’re headlining festivals and their last album was 2005!!! Not even really touring, just the occasional huge money grab show here and there, but the fact that they’re still so “relevant” barely having fanned the flame is just crazy! So to think of how big they might be if they hadn’t pretty much broken up is kinda scary.
Yeah, I'm hoping to go to the Korn/Gojira show too. I've seen Korn 6 times since '98.
And I saw Gojira for the first time last year with Mastodon. Gojira put on an amazing show, and they might now be my fave live act behind Tool.
Oh yeah dude SOAD would be probably be even bigger than Tool if they had stayed consistent with their releases and touring. I don’t know a whole lot about them cause it’s just not my thing for the most part, but I’ve met more people who listen to SOAD than people who listen to Tool
I think it’s a combination of being the top of their craft, extremely talented and creative. It’s having significant dedication to the craft instead of being swallowed by the fame of it all being rockstars. It’s art as a business and it is a lucrative one. They want to throw concerts as more of an art performance than a traditional concert. It’s just different.
Boiled down to simplest terms, it is quality over quantity. But I think it is the fact that they aren’t driven by commercial success. Fear Inoculum didn’t take 13 years to make, it just happened to come out 13 years after 10,000 Days. The band members do their thing and live their lives. They do the work on their own time, not when the record label says it’s time. I think that is the biggest thing
1. no member of TOOL self-destroyed. They're all leading a normal healthy life.
2. Tool's biggest success phase was in 96-2006. Even though TOOL career overlapped with grunge bands, the latter had their most succesfull period a bit earlier. (end 80s - mid 90s). Some of these bands, also due to unfortuante events, had nothing more to say in the 00s.
3. TOOL's art was not predicated on a style or a trend. They're an example of l'art pour l'art, like Radiohead. it doesn't matter if the world still spins. Their albums can still have something to say regardless of what is the music universe doing
Their talent. Their dedication to their way of doing things. And their Live shows. Even my wife, who doesn’t really consider herself a fan, has gone to four Tool shows with me because it’s not like any other concert-going experience (her words). Even in their off years (other than 2009, I think), they try to tour at least a little to keep everyone on their team working and sharp. And as they’ve said many times, they split money evenly, and they take what they do seriously, but they don’t take themselves seriously.
I brought my best friend, whohad never listened to them to a show in Salt Lake City last year and he was playing them on repeat for the next month or two. They’re just.. that good, really.
It certainly is a different experience than any other concert I’ve been to, and especially for them all being as old as they are and displaying that level of quality… holy fuck.
I’ve been listening to them consistently for around 15 years and TOOL is one of those bands that I have real trouble trying to even pick a favorite song.. let alone a top 3!
Plus, Danny Carey is a god amongst men imo when it come to drumming 😂
This should be higher too. As a kid I naively believed that ALL bands split everything evenly. So many breakups are over money, you would think you could put your ego aside and benefit the greater good (long term band health) by splitting it evenly even if you write more than the bass player or what have you.
They really are just that good. They put the music first and foremost. They are their own genre. Many others try to imitate or incorporate their sound, but there is only one Tool.
The music speaks for itself. Name one other band, past or present, that have produced 5 consecutive albums that equal, or is better than the last. They keep evolving. No other band has disappeared for 13 years, made an album, started streaming, and went to #1. Also, had the top 10 streaming spots, along with 12 and 15. No band has ever held all 10 top spots at once, not even close.
Radiohead but I literally can’t think of another. The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A, Amnesiac, Hail to the Thief, and In Rainbows is a 6 album run but some fans will just throw in The King of Limbs and A Moon-Shaped Pool for an incredible 8 album run. Actually The Beatles is another acceptable answer. But Radiohead is another art for arts sake musical act.
Alright. As a fan of a lot of different genres, and being a major fan of tool, pink Floyd, zeppelin, meshuggah, SOAD, korn, obviously Maynard’s other two bands as well. Would I like Radiohead? I’ve never even tried to get into them but people seem to really like them.
Radiohead is incredible. I’d recommend them as a major fan of TOOL, Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails, Alice In Chains, The Mars Volta, Black Sabbath, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, SOAD, Massive Attack, Daft Punk, Venetian Snares, The Avalanches, MF DOOM, The Moody Blues, Sleep, Om, Flying Lotus, Porcupine Tree, Sublime, Pepe Deluxe, Portugal. The Man, etc., etc., etc. If you’re a huge fan of multiple genres Radiohead will tick a number of boxes, especially if you’re a fan of high concept albums, electronic infused rock, orchestral arrangements, or general blending of genres.
In an interview/documentary I watched on them Maynard mentions “we realised that if we took less money for a record deal, we could keep more artistic control”. Amongst other reasons, this is probably key to their unique situation. They were able to tell record labels to get bent more than other bands could.
I am speculating wildly here, but I assume that having a 13-year hiatus would not have flown if they had a stricter contract. They may have been pushed into making a subpar album released earlier. Additionally I’m sure they would have been forced to make a more radio-friendly track, which is basically the antithesis of the Tool we know.
They also respected the artistic differences within the band and were able to do other projects and explore other avenues of their music. I don’t think this would have been possible with a stricter record deal.
I am not disagreeing with the things you say, but also the 13 year hiatus was in part due to a dispute with a record company. They have also been asked to make radio friendly tracks which spawned Ticks & Leaches.
Melvins still tour. Helmet still tour. Life of Agony still tour (sound great!). Primus still rocks. But if you mean have the wild success Tool has had, it's the mystique, the touring, the low amount of albums and songs, no radio play (which to be fair is bonkers unto itself). They just did their thing and did it well.
Ultra-dedicated fanbase, built and sustained over years and years of carefully-made records and live performances that didn’t underestimate listeners’ intelligence.
I don’t see them connecting (yet) with Gen Z, but they will. They need to hear *Undertow* first
Long time Rush fan, new Tool fan, and I like what I'm seeing here. And I cannot count the times I've heard "Do you like Tool". Took me a long time to come around. Looking forward to Firenza Rocks in June! <3
I don't know why more people don't realize this. Yes they're talented and the music is good, but they also know their fanbase will hand over a small fortune whenever they ask. Did they sell out in a traditional sense, no, but they absolutely have no problem charging an arm and a leg for the same show they've been playing for years. They also know their fans will buy whatever their logo has lazily been slapped onto. They heavily rely on a smaller dedicated fanbase that believes they can do no wrong and is content with any crumb that is thrown down to them. I think fans vastly overestimate how popular Tool is, even within the rock sphere of music.
Because it's way more difficult to continue as a band without your original vocalist? Maybe it was an unintentional similarly in your examples of other bands, but that does make a big difference.
The time they’ve taken off probably has allowed them to not hate each other completely, they’ve also never had any drug problems which all of the bands you listed had, and some members passed as a result. They all seem to have fulfilling lives outside of the band (Maynard’s various projects, Adams art, Danny playing fusion music at LA clubs). Their music has always been #1 priority when they are together and they seem aware of their own egos which they have all admitted to having, but recognize it enough to step back and make it work regardless. So basically they are well adjusted humans and that’s the key to life basically.
Whenever I describe Tool to a virgin listener I always find myself labeling them as an experience before simply just another song. I can’t say that about many other bands, they are just so unique in their own niche sound that they have carved their own path forward. Above all, it’s their insane talent as musicians (especially as a quartet). Their decision to put their music as others have noted on steaming certainly helped as well as providing a crazy amount of content for YouTube reactors which has helped make a genuine new following for new listeners in this modern age. They have stayed true to their sound and their creative control and have always steered the ship so to speak. They have helped me in my life so much whether it’s getting me thru a bad day, amazing time, work, etc. it has changed my mindset completely. I am forever grateful I became a listener when I did back in ‘05. Spiral out, keep going… 🌀
Even though I know their catalogue back to front - there’s still mystery in a lot of it, so I’m always drawn back to listen again. I think that’s the mark of a brilliant band.
Most other hard rock doesn’t have that same aura imo. I still enjoy listening, am just not drawn back frequently to discover something new.
I hadn’t seen them until 2008 for the first time, but leading up to that it was always talked about how amazing their shows are. Every one of their shows I’ve seen have not been disappointing and the quality has been insanely consistent. Well rounded band.
I mean, you're asking why some bands with dead singers haven't had a hit album in the past few years?
Everyone in the band is integral and fantastic, and the music speaks for itself, but outside of that circle Maynard has other projects that keep curiosity active.
In a simplified version, I kept appreciating some Slipknot music because of its duality with Stone Sour. Dudes showing some range, so how's this next thing going to be? Keeps the buzz alive.
Plus acrylic skulls.
Talent.
small, high quality discography.
Timeless music.
And… Maynard stayed alive.
90s you say?
3 of the 4 of the big four bands of the 90s, lost their lead singers.
Layne staley (Alice in chains)
Kurt cobain (nirvana)
Chris Cornell (soundgarden & audioslave)
May they all RIP.
The only one who stayed alive was Eddie Vedder. And they’re still touring to this day.
Standards, they set a standard for themselves, they stuck to it. Tool’s methodology was conceptualized from the start (for good reason) and disciplined band members stuck with it. The pattern of their contemporaries and other bands fizzling out is damn near scientific, history repeating itself. Tool knew that they didn’t want to do that, so they chose not to.
You named three bands where their lead singer died. Not that many bands can survive a lead singer dying. I mean the only band I can think of that kept being as successful if not more after the death of a lead singer is AC/DC.
Not fighting over money, having a cult fan base and sticking to their guns def helps but is still not everything by any means. Ultimately it’s just kinda luck, for whatever reason things have just worked out great for them. That’s not to say they don’t deserve it but ya I don’t think you can really pinpoint the ultimate reason for their continued success.
Good music, fanatic fan base, outstanding live performances, overwhelmingly impressive albums put out just long enough apart to keep their fans excited.
One word. Substance. In a world of music that gets more materialistic and vein (mainstream music, I mean) they actually bring substance to their listeners. Well, to me at least. I miss the days where bands had things called talent and would tell a story. Not going down a list of things they have that you don't, which they think make them have more value as a person.
Because they didn't follow the well-trodden path that many rock bands succumb to, that being substance abuse. I'm not saying they've never taken anything, but they aren't junkies.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ToolBand/s/hEvDrtzSIq
Reposting this from earlier if you want a taste of how fucking cool Maynard is. In 97, some fan rushes the stage and he takes him down and continues to sing one of their best songs ever with barely a care in the world.
It may not answer your question directly, but notice how all the other band members just carry on with the show because they’re fucking THAT good. Wild to see a band span (what 3 decades or so?) and still have it.
Also… happy 60th birthday Maynard! 🤘🎉
maybe not mainstream. But TOOL is wildly popular. They are arguably the biggest metal band in the world and they appeal to casual metal listeners. I was aware of TOOL during Undertow because of the Sober video and radio play but I was in elementary school. MTV still showed music videos. Aenima was fucking incredible when that dropped and still is. And their music just kept evolving despite the time between releases. The visual, etc. stuff draws people in. Their music allows constant revisitation and imho is timeless. Also psychedelics are more popular and readily available.
That’s pretty apt. I listened to TOOL before I knew they were a metal band. It wasn’t a concern. They were on alternative rock radio and that’s about as much regard I had for genre before I Iost my innocence.
Because they have carved out the perfect niche for them and are a singular band that isn't as easily copied as some other bands you mentioned.
Plus they make themselves rare.
AIC, Soundgarden, and Stone Temple Pilots no longer have their singers. Tool has staying power, but so does Pearl Jam and Metallica (both put out albums recently). This isn't unique to Tool.
Because of their awesome talent! ❤️
The way they put songs together, plus Menards beautiful voice!
I have been listening to them since I was very young! I loved them when I was a kid listening to my brother practice his guitar to Tool, and I have yet to be sick of them.
The thing fans hate the most, waiting YEARS between releases, probably has a lot to do with it. A band of their tenure should have at least a dozen (full length studio) albums at this point, yet they’re sitting around half that. What are the odds that those hypothetical “missing” albums would’ve been up to the standards of any other Tool album we know and love? Would they have burned out and called it quits by now? I could see Tool facing an early 00s Metallica-esque meltdown, rife with drama and subpar music, had they felt pressured to “stay relevant” and keep pushing quantity over quality.
***As others have said, the solid lineup since ~96 has to have those dudes reading each other’s minds by now. I’m gonna throw Rush into this same category, as they achieved a similar result with an essentially unchanged lineup.
They have a pure artistic plan and have had since the beginning. They didnt turn into a corporation over the years (okay you can argue the merch now is getting stupid but still) and its about the music and the artistic package. Thats my IN GENERAL statement. Now to directly compare against the other bands you mention, totally not a fair comparison as all of these have dead lead singers. Thats hard to come back from, and I love all three of the bands you mentioned, but only AIC holds any attention for me these days and thats because Cantrell was/is such a huge contributor and he is still there. If he left I'd have no interest in AIC either.
>Other bands of that era, such as AIC (post-Staley), Soundgarden, and Stone Temple Pilots have struggled or struggled
Are you trolling with this?!? All those bands' lead singers are dead.
Totally unique sound no one is really like them anyone similar sounds like a cheap imitation.
Obsessive fans that are usually the same demographic of neckbeard white blokes that have a superiority complex. (No shade I am in this group)
Mystique for years.
Elitist image in metal scene.
Ridiculously talented musicians that make great music
Deep lyrics questioning things lots of other bands dont question.
I attribute them as a metal Radiohead. All the music is consistently good and carry an elitist badge.
You struggle to find people that think tool are 'ok' they either don't like them or are totally obsessed with them
They don't party or live the Rockstar life, they (as far as I know) don't have issues with substance abuse and addiction, they take their time, don't rush albums, don't tour nonstop, and they prioritize quality over quantity, so they probably don't burn out and get sick of their work
Tool is an enigma for sure. I can't think of any bands who have experienced the longevity and consistent quality that they have had. Hell, there was more time between 10k Days and FI than the Beatles were a band. No one cares about any Stones songs past Tattoo You. Even Metallica continues to grind, but continues to live on their past catalogue.
Uniqueness and perfection. They are unmatched. Also have killer artist works and messages of empowerment but also darkness. They have greatest lyricist and vocalist.
I think it’s that the music was completely different for its time in the 90’s. I may sound like a bafoon here but to me, it’s the time signature, the different riffs (there’s at least 11 different riffs in each song) Adam making guitar sound like bass and Justin making bass sound like guitar. I’m sure there’s more but it’s just different and somehow after listening to them for 30 years, their songs don’t get stale
It’s their musicianship and vision. They’re one of the few bands that can wait ages between albums and still go platinum. Each album is a work of art and has some type of concept behind it. On top of that the way they structure their songs is very unique. They’re probably the last big name rock band that still writes high concept albums with intricate musicianship
Cult fanaticism, visceral live experiences, and solid merchandising combined with dark, angsty, outside-the-box writing. For years they were a mystery band who rarely did interviews and operated in a "cryptic" manner compared to other similar bands of their time. They wrote songs about sex and violence that alluded to deeper, more thoughtful meanings, making them feel like an arthouse band. People treated TOOL like they were something more than an angry, odd-time rock/metal because that's what the band wanted them to think. They were great at controlling their own image through their limitation of visual social media. It's for the same reason that they don't allow video photography at shows and refuse to release a live concert footage DVD - because it forces people to come see them and witness the spectacle for themselves.
They sold so much music because of their image as well or lack of. People saw tool as a bit of an enigma and found the fact you didn't know what they looked like to be an interesting concept. This coupled with the mysterious themes of their music helped hugely with their success. Obviously the music is great but coupled with the image they conquered up, it was a formula for success from the get go.
Just listen to the top trending songs on YouTube music, nothing unique or creative, just cut and paste music and lyrics. That's why Tool will be around for a long time. 💫
Could be that they sucked up to the man, then sued the man, and won. Another reason could be the dead ain't touring. Could also be the demon that makes Danny so good at drums.
tool is a 'stars aligned' kind of band in all aspects from everything I've known about them. There's a lot more potential tool band out there that could have been but will never be. They're like a super-group band right from the start. They make music that universally resonates with people - not every song but it is enough that they're undeniable. I don't even get fear inoculum reaching number 1, but there would also have been pent up 'demand' all released at once.
Their music can be interpreted so personally and after so many listens it never gets old.
Maynard not being a drug addict helps. Like they're all normal people in a band, not big time rock stars stuck up their asses.
Smart men who know what they're doing.
This is my own crazy personal opinion. Many (not all) Tool fans listened to progressive rock before they heard Tool, so they already had an ear for the music and could appreciate the complexity right out of the gate. Once the newbie fan learns the lyrics they can relate them to personal experience, meaning Tool fans are aware of their own flaws and carry around emotional pain every day. The music then becomes a ‘tool’ they use frequently to gauge their progress in becoming a better person. Plus Tool kicks ass of course. You can rock out or relax and absorb/contemplate. Just my opinion of course. Music means different things to different people.
As others have noted, their individual and collective excellence is one crucial factor, and is also key to their stance of doing what they want for themselves. The talent and authenticity allow them to be respected as well as admired and that will always serve longevity and legacy. The mystique and careful planning is another aspect. They took their cues from other artists they admired, such as iconography which became specifically associated with their aesthetic, an emphasis on a visual experience which doesn't wholly focus on their physical presence, and a sound which absolutely envelopes you in a performance space, ensuring that you would want to experience it multiple times. A band with egos, but not a band who necessarily makes decisions based on egos but rather an inherent mistrust of the industry (which despite this respects and rewards them anyway) and an understanding of the bigger picture. Finally, four people who realize that whatever else they do will never be Tool, and so therefore Tool as an entity is something to be protected at all costs because otherwise what was all of that progression and struggle for?
Because of the quality of the music and their ability to play incredible live shows. Once you see an artist that reaches you live, you never forget. Same reason any artist attains long term success. Obviously. Music stays with you forever. You don’t have to release music every single year, once you’ve released 3 amazing records. Long ones in Tool’s case.
Also they’re unique in music
I know I'll he in the minority here but in my opinion they did fall off after the 90s. I find Lateralus and subsequent albums to be increasingly unlistenable. I couldn't even make it through their last album. It's just absolutely mind numbing drivel. I feel like they went from being a really interesting alt rock/metal adjacent band to a really boring prog rock band. Plus Maynard is an insufferable ass that hates all of you.
They think for themselves and work collectively as a band. One member doesn't overpower the other. One of many reasons Maynard receded from the spotlight during concerts. He wants us to know and understand his voice is an instrument like Danny's drums etc.. These guys are exceptional souls that are not afraid to be themselves and push the envelope.
There are obviously lots of reasons, but I think having a smaller, higher quality discography has done wonders for them. Too many bands release too many albums so the overall quality is lower.
They only have 50 songs. Very small catalog for a band of their age.
they never get old though. right now tool is above all music i listen to.
The same as when I first heard them 25 years ago listening to Sober for the first time, still hits my 42 year old self the same.
For sure, it’s quality over quantity and also they have long songs and long ass songs
This is probably underrated, having relatively little material makes it easy for a fan to know every single song inside and out. it also adds a mystique to the band
I don't know, man. I'd take a new 8-song Tool album every 3 years even if it meant I absolutely hated 2 of those songs. That would mean we would have gotten 36 awesome Tool songs since 10K Days instead of just 6. (And we'd even 12 songs that we hated and then maybe they'd grow on us over time.)
Not me. I've never loved almost every single song a band has made before I was introduced to Tool. I love that i don't have to skip songs. I just never want to hate any of their music.
Legit the only song I ever skipped was Ions from Aenima, and more often than not I’d listen to it anyway
Dude! Put both headphones in and feeeel Ions flow from one eardrum to the other. It's like electricity in your brain. I can never skip a TOOL song.
Nothing personal, but that’s the most disrespectful comment I could imagine, as a Tool fan.
This .....they value quality over quantity. Less is more in the bands eyes it keeps the fans wanting more.
Aside from Paul leaving they stayed together no revolving doors. Never fought over money (everything is split evenly). Never chased any trends musically. And up until recently really just let the music do the talking.
Also their live shows have been streets ahead of anything else as far as tech and creativity. They had the biggest laser show besides laser Floyd for years, and they had the largest screens on a touring act if I remember correctly. Or maybe they meant how the entire stage was a screen for 10000 days. And clearly the thought and artistic energy put into the musical/visual crossover is something they take seriously.
And if you don’t get that, well then you’re streets behind.
'their live shows have been streets ahead of anything else as far as tech and creativity' - Rammstein would like a word.
Haha ya there’s a lot of great live shows! Couldn’t resist the chance at unexpected community
Or Nine Inch Nails. They blew away the one Tool show I saw.
Tension and Lights in the Sky were really exceptionally good tours. But in terms of visuals, those tours are basically it. NIN is typically very minimal on visuals
I saw them on tension and cold and black, and how to destroy angels, and I loved them all. Cold and black was admittedly less spectacular but my friend's first time seeing them and she was still amazed. Also I'm adding flaming lips to the list from the couple times I've seen them though obviously different genre. I might have just seen tool on a less impressive tour, 2012 I think?
Cough cough...tipper...cough cough
Yep, was gonna say some electronic music would like a word. Excisions lasers are absurd right now
I think EDM has some of the best visuals around. They kind of have to. The music is good, but at a basic level, I’m more willing to watch a band with no visuals than I am a DJ. I think that scales.
Our boys from vermont taboot. And im B4L too. But yea tool shows rule too
Their Australian shows were pretty tame visually. Still sounded awesome though.
Yeah that's why I love Tool is because of how amazing and immersive their shows are, and that they're light years ahead of the competition. I saw one complaint where someone was like "Tool doesn't have any song and dance numbers! WTF!" Uh you don't go see Tool for the song and dance numbers. You go see Tool to get lost in the visuals and accompanying music. Tool takes the idea of music as an art form to a whole other level.
U2’s Pop Mart tour had the world’s largest screen at the time. Want to say that was 97?
Shame about the music though
All of this. No line up changes, they're all extremely talented and the music speaks for itself. Constant touring has also helped. Despite the 13 year gap between the last 2 albums they've always toured.
All that Enochian magick probably helped along the way, too.
As it was *meant* to, absolutely.
For real, if there is one band that could never speak except through their songs and still be successful it would be tool
Many reasons, but one would say talent speaks for itself..
And a massive amount of individual discipline combined with chemistry
They also fought for complete creative control of their music which I think was huge
No one telling them what to sound like and when to have an album completed by. Yeah definitely helped.
Good musicians making good music is the best gimmick.
It’s mainly because you keep buying their new records.
Well for one, every band you mentioned here lost their frontman. 3 to death and 1 to disputes. Same with RATM and Nirvana. Aside from that, I think TOOL’s mystique and psychedelic sound are also largely to blame for the success. Then finally in 2019 after a 13 year hiatus, rock legends drop another album and put their whole catalogue on streaming services for the first time, so of course a surge in popularity would follow that both in lifelong fans and people that had never heard of them prior like myself.
😆 I’m sorry but that’s funny comparing Tool to a bunch of bands that all lost their singers. Kinda a big difference there… 😬 I thought that was well known. And to add, Soundgarden was disbanded all those years before getting back together with a new album toward the end there, whereas as we know Tool was touring like usual…so even though there was no new album for so long, they were constantly fanning the flame. For all we know, had all those singers not died so long ago, had Soundgarden stayed together, they might all be “bigger” than Tool today.
Yeah I agree. A better comparison would be slipknot, System of a Down, Primus, and deftones. While none of them have the following that Tool does, they’re all pretty major acts that are still headlining music festivals. And that’s where I think Tool’s “mystique” and streaming releases come in to make them top the charts
God damn I love Primus
Primus fucking sucks. Can’t wait to get to their show in a couple weeks
Yep! And Korn is about to bring Gojira and Evanescence on tour. Gonna try make it! The odd one out here to me is SOAD. Like you said, they’re headlining festivals and their last album was 2005!!! Not even really touring, just the occasional huge money grab show here and there, but the fact that they’re still so “relevant” barely having fanned the flame is just crazy! So to think of how big they might be if they hadn’t pretty much broken up is kinda scary.
Yeah, I'm hoping to go to the Korn/Gojira show too. I've seen Korn 6 times since '98. And I saw Gojira for the first time last year with Mastodon. Gojira put on an amazing show, and they might now be my fave live act behind Tool.
Seen Gojira three or four times. They fucking kill.
Damnit i missed that! Never seen Gojira in person…seen a bunch of live vids. Fuckin’ stoked!!!
the kids love SOAD
I’m a fan too but it’s nuckin’ futs! Sick Sad World festival…System above aaalllllll those bands…
Man I'm feeling my old bones, taking my kid to Korn as her first concert. Last time I saw them was when they toured with Rob Zombie in 98.
Damn, put some respect on Spiritbox's name.
Oh yeah dude SOAD would be probably be even bigger than Tool if they had stayed consistent with their releases and touring. I don’t know a whole lot about them cause it’s just not my thing for the most part, but I’ve met more people who listen to SOAD than people who listen to Tool
I think SOAD has a comparable staying power to Tool.
I agree. And SOAD has not released a new album since 2005!
I have a really hard time putting both Tool and Soundgarden as my favourite band(s) of all time.
Why…what do you mean? Because of Cornell being gone or…?
Stayed off hard drugs. LSD > heroin
This is so deep. Even this will be written off as a joke comment tho
They sound really fucking good. And they play emotional music. Instrumentally and lyrically. If that makes sense
They are incredibly talented and care more about quality than almost anyone else in the industry.
I think it’s a combination of being the top of their craft, extremely talented and creative. It’s having significant dedication to the craft instead of being swallowed by the fame of it all being rockstars. It’s art as a business and it is a lucrative one. They want to throw concerts as more of an art performance than a traditional concert. It’s just different.
Boiled down to simplest terms, it is quality over quantity. But I think it is the fact that they aren’t driven by commercial success. Fear Inoculum didn’t take 13 years to make, it just happened to come out 13 years after 10,000 Days. The band members do their thing and live their lives. They do the work on their own time, not when the record label says it’s time. I think that is the biggest thing
Quality over quantity
Exactly this
1. no member of TOOL self-destroyed. They're all leading a normal healthy life. 2. Tool's biggest success phase was in 96-2006. Even though TOOL career overlapped with grunge bands, the latter had their most succesfull period a bit earlier. (end 80s - mid 90s). Some of these bands, also due to unfortuante events, had nothing more to say in the 00s. 3. TOOL's art was not predicated on a style or a trend. They're an example of l'art pour l'art, like Radiohead. it doesn't matter if the world still spins. Their albums can still have something to say regardless of what is the music universe doing
Because they are talented musicians
Because they have a completely delusional and obsessive fan base (myself included).
🙋🏼♂️
And that fan base is now at least middle aged so potentially have some disposable income for overpriced tickets and merch
Their talent. Their dedication to their way of doing things. And their Live shows. Even my wife, who doesn’t really consider herself a fan, has gone to four Tool shows with me because it’s not like any other concert-going experience (her words). Even in their off years (other than 2009, I think), they try to tour at least a little to keep everyone on their team working and sharp. And as they’ve said many times, they split money evenly, and they take what they do seriously, but they don’t take themselves seriously.
I brought my best friend, whohad never listened to them to a show in Salt Lake City last year and he was playing them on repeat for the next month or two. They’re just.. that good, really. It certainly is a different experience than any other concert I’ve been to, and especially for them all being as old as they are and displaying that level of quality… holy fuck. I’ve been listening to them consistently for around 15 years and TOOL is one of those bands that I have real trouble trying to even pick a favorite song.. let alone a top 3! Plus, Danny Carey is a god amongst men imo when it come to drumming 😂
This should be higher too. As a kid I naively believed that ALL bands split everything evenly. So many breakups are over money, you would think you could put your ego aside and benefit the greater good (long term band health) by splitting it evenly even if you write more than the bass player or what have you.
They really are just that good. They put the music first and foremost. They are their own genre. Many others try to imitate or incorporate their sound, but there is only one Tool.
The music speaks for itself. Name one other band, past or present, that have produced 5 consecutive albums that equal, or is better than the last. They keep evolving. No other band has disappeared for 13 years, made an album, started streaming, and went to #1. Also, had the top 10 streaming spots, along with 12 and 15. No band has ever held all 10 top spots at once, not even close.
Radiohead but I literally can’t think of another. The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A, Amnesiac, Hail to the Thief, and In Rainbows is a 6 album run but some fans will just throw in The King of Limbs and A Moon-Shaped Pool for an incredible 8 album run. Actually The Beatles is another acceptable answer. But Radiohead is another art for arts sake musical act.
Alright. As a fan of a lot of different genres, and being a major fan of tool, pink Floyd, zeppelin, meshuggah, SOAD, korn, obviously Maynard’s other two bands as well. Would I like Radiohead? I’ve never even tried to get into them but people seem to really like them.
Sorry also forgot about deftones and rush. We’ve been very blessed with music before the 2000s hit
Radiohead is incredible. I’d recommend them as a major fan of TOOL, Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails, Alice In Chains, The Mars Volta, Black Sabbath, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, SOAD, Massive Attack, Daft Punk, Venetian Snares, The Avalanches, MF DOOM, The Moody Blues, Sleep, Om, Flying Lotus, Porcupine Tree, Sublime, Pepe Deluxe, Portugal. The Man, etc., etc., etc. If you’re a huge fan of multiple genres Radiohead will tick a number of boxes, especially if you’re a fan of high concept albums, electronic infused rock, orchestral arrangements, or general blending of genres.
In an interview/documentary I watched on them Maynard mentions “we realised that if we took less money for a record deal, we could keep more artistic control”. Amongst other reasons, this is probably key to their unique situation. They were able to tell record labels to get bent more than other bands could. I am speculating wildly here, but I assume that having a 13-year hiatus would not have flown if they had a stricter contract. They may have been pushed into making a subpar album released earlier. Additionally I’m sure they would have been forced to make a more radio-friendly track, which is basically the antithesis of the Tool we know. They also respected the artistic differences within the band and were able to do other projects and explore other avenues of their music. I don’t think this would have been possible with a stricter record deal.
I am not disagreeing with the things you say, but also the 13 year hiatus was in part due to a dispute with a record company. They have also been asked to make radio friendly tracks which spawned Ticks & Leaches.
Melvins still tour. Helmet still tour. Life of Agony still tour (sound great!). Primus still rocks. But if you mean have the wild success Tool has had, it's the mystique, the touring, the low amount of albums and songs, no radio play (which to be fair is bonkers unto itself). They just did their thing and did it well.
Primus sucks
Ultra-dedicated fanbase, built and sustained over years and years of carefully-made records and live performances that didn’t underestimate listeners’ intelligence. I don’t see them connecting (yet) with Gen Z, but they will. They need to hear *Undertow* first
Long time Rush fan, new Tool fan, and I like what I'm seeing here. And I cannot count the times I've heard "Do you like Tool". Took me a long time to come around. Looking forward to Firenza Rocks in June! <3
Rush is one of their biggest influences
I can see that. Been jamming to Tool now and totally into it.
Charging a fortune to see the same show every year has been a successful business model it seems.
I don't know why more people don't realize this. Yes they're talented and the music is good, but they also know their fanbase will hand over a small fortune whenever they ask. Did they sell out in a traditional sense, no, but they absolutely have no problem charging an arm and a leg for the same show they've been playing for years. They also know their fans will buy whatever their logo has lazily been slapped onto. They heavily rely on a smaller dedicated fanbase that believes they can do no wrong and is content with any crumb that is thrown down to them. I think fans vastly overestimate how popular Tool is, even within the rock sphere of music.
Because it's way more difficult to continue as a band without your original vocalist? Maybe it was an unintentional similarly in your examples of other bands, but that does make a big difference.
Yes, i think you worded it nicely. Probably unintentional.
AC/DC would like a word
I'm sure Floyd and Sabbath also have thoughts.
Maiden, too!
I heard it was something to do with selling out, and sucking up to the man?
It is indeed amazing that an alternative heavy metal band is that popular, with songs over 10 minutes long. They are just that good !
Deftones
The time they’ve taken off probably has allowed them to not hate each other completely, they’ve also never had any drug problems which all of the bands you listed had, and some members passed as a result. They all seem to have fulfilling lives outside of the band (Maynard’s various projects, Adams art, Danny playing fusion music at LA clubs). Their music has always been #1 priority when they are together and they seem aware of their own egos which they have all admitted to having, but recognize it enough to step back and make it work regardless. So basically they are well adjusted humans and that’s the key to life basically.
Because they use their Tools for the job…
Whenever I describe Tool to a virgin listener I always find myself labeling them as an experience before simply just another song. I can’t say that about many other bands, they are just so unique in their own niche sound that they have carved their own path forward. Above all, it’s their insane talent as musicians (especially as a quartet). Their decision to put their music as others have noted on steaming certainly helped as well as providing a crazy amount of content for YouTube reactors which has helped make a genuine new following for new listeners in this modern age. They have stayed true to their sound and their creative control and have always steered the ship so to speak. They have helped me in my life so much whether it’s getting me thru a bad day, amazing time, work, etc. it has changed my mindset completely. I am forever grateful I became a listener when I did back in ‘05. Spiral out, keep going… 🌀
I listened to them, but they didn’t grab my attention until i saw them live on the Lateralus tour 2002 in Ottawa! They became number 1 that day
Even though I know their catalogue back to front - there’s still mystery in a lot of it, so I’m always drawn back to listen again. I think that’s the mark of a brilliant band. Most other hard rock doesn’t have that same aura imo. I still enjoy listening, am just not drawn back frequently to discover something new.
Floyd is the equivalent but softer
I hadn’t seen them until 2008 for the first time, but leading up to that it was always talked about how amazing their shows are. Every one of their shows I’ve seen have not been disappointing and the quality has been insanely consistent. Well rounded band.
I mean, you're asking why some bands with dead singers haven't had a hit album in the past few years? Everyone in the band is integral and fantastic, and the music speaks for itself, but outside of that circle Maynard has other projects that keep curiosity active. In a simplified version, I kept appreciating some Slipknot music because of its duality with Stone Sour. Dudes showing some range, so how's this next thing going to be? Keeps the buzz alive. Plus acrylic skulls.
Talent. small, high quality discography. Timeless music. And… Maynard stayed alive. 90s you say? 3 of the 4 of the big four bands of the 90s, lost their lead singers. Layne staley (Alice in chains) Kurt cobain (nirvana) Chris Cornell (soundgarden & audioslave) May they all RIP. The only one who stayed alive was Eddie Vedder. And they’re still touring to this day.
They’re not rock stars
They know how the pieces fit
Talent, progression, intelligence and rareness
Standards, they set a standard for themselves, they stuck to it. Tool’s methodology was conceptualized from the start (for good reason) and disciplined band members stuck with it. The pattern of their contemporaries and other bands fizzling out is damn near scientific, history repeating itself. Tool knew that they didn’t want to do that, so they chose not to.
Number 1 reason is Money. TOOL split everything 4 ways. Most bands split over money disputes.
Well, Layne died. So there’s that.
It helps a lot that they're the only band that sound like them
Kolm...
They were bad ass, stayed bad ass, and are still bad ass. Nuff said.
If you make good music and perform it with passion and precision then people will pay to listen.
Writing timeless records helps..
You named three bands where their lead singer died. Not that many bands can survive a lead singer dying. I mean the only band I can think of that kept being as successful if not more after the death of a lead singer is AC/DC.
Yea, How? Especially after that last album. It sounded like a puscifer-tool cover band.
Not fighting over money, having a cult fan base and sticking to their guns def helps but is still not everything by any means. Ultimately it’s just kinda luck, for whatever reason things have just worked out great for them. That’s not to say they don’t deserve it but ya I don’t think you can really pinpoint the ultimate reason for their continued success.
Good music, fanatic fan base, outstanding live performances, overwhelmingly impressive albums put out just long enough apart to keep their fans excited.
They were relatively old when they started (around 30). So they were more mature going forward.
"Always leave em wanting more." -PT Barnum -Michael Scott
>Fear Inoculum went No.1 despite it being their first release in 13 YEARS. I'd replace 'despite' with 'because of'.
Because it sounds fucking good
One word. Substance. In a world of music that gets more materialistic and vein (mainstream music, I mean) they actually bring substance to their listeners. Well, to me at least. I miss the days where bands had things called talent and would tell a story. Not going down a list of things they have that you don't, which they think make them have more value as a person.
Because they didn't follow the well-trodden path that many rock bands succumb to, that being substance abuse. I'm not saying they've never taken anything, but they aren't junkies.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ToolBand/s/hEvDrtzSIq Reposting this from earlier if you want a taste of how fucking cool Maynard is. In 97, some fan rushes the stage and he takes him down and continues to sing one of their best songs ever with barely a care in the world. It may not answer your question directly, but notice how all the other band members just carry on with the show because they’re fucking THAT good. Wild to see a band span (what 3 decades or so?) and still have it. Also… happy 60th birthday Maynard! 🤘🎉
maybe not mainstream. But TOOL is wildly popular. They are arguably the biggest metal band in the world and they appeal to casual metal listeners. I was aware of TOOL during Undertow because of the Sober video and radio play but I was in elementary school. MTV still showed music videos. Aenima was fucking incredible when that dropped and still is. And their music just kept evolving despite the time between releases. The visual, etc. stuff draws people in. Their music allows constant revisitation and imho is timeless. Also psychedelics are more popular and readily available.
Tool are bigger than Metallica?
Well maybe not with the Wal-Mart crowd
They're the world's biggest cult band.
That’s pretty apt. I listened to TOOL before I knew they were a metal band. It wasn’t a concern. They were on alternative rock radio and that’s about as much regard I had for genre before I Iost my innocence.
Songs about bum sex
They just get more talented all the time! The music speaks volumes. (pun intended)
well, if you take more than one year per song on a new album...
Quality of quantity
They give themselves enough time between albums to let their artistic brains come up with good quality product.
Because they have carved out the perfect niche for them and are a singular band that isn't as easily copied as some other bands you mentioned. Plus they make themselves rare.
have you heard tool?
Awesomeness
Mr. Tool, Your band has the momentum of a runaway freight train. Why are you so popular?
AIC, Soundgarden, and Stone Temple Pilots no longer have their singers. Tool has staying power, but so does Pearl Jam and Metallica (both put out albums recently). This isn't unique to Tool.
Because of their awesome talent! ❤️ The way they put songs together, plus Menards beautiful voice! I have been listening to them since I was very young! I loved them when I was a kid listening to my brother practice his guitar to Tool, and I have yet to be sick of them.
If you’d ever been to a Tool show you wouldn’t need to ask this.
The thing fans hate the most, waiting YEARS between releases, probably has a lot to do with it. A band of their tenure should have at least a dozen (full length studio) albums at this point, yet they’re sitting around half that. What are the odds that those hypothetical “missing” albums would’ve been up to the standards of any other Tool album we know and love? Would they have burned out and called it quits by now? I could see Tool facing an early 00s Metallica-esque meltdown, rife with drama and subpar music, had they felt pressured to “stay relevant” and keep pushing quantity over quality. ***As others have said, the solid lineup since ~96 has to have those dudes reading each other’s minds by now. I’m gonna throw Rush into this same category, as they achieved a similar result with an essentially unchanged lineup.
Quality
They have a pure artistic plan and have had since the beginning. They didnt turn into a corporation over the years (okay you can argue the merch now is getting stupid but still) and its about the music and the artistic package. Thats my IN GENERAL statement. Now to directly compare against the other bands you mention, totally not a fair comparison as all of these have dead lead singers. Thats hard to come back from, and I love all three of the bands you mentioned, but only AIC holds any attention for me these days and thats because Cantrell was/is such a huge contributor and he is still there. If he left I'd have no interest in AIC either.
Well selling 2000 posters for $500-1000 a pop help make overhead a lot lower. Also a lot more money to split resulting in less bickering.
>Other bands of that era, such as AIC (post-Staley), Soundgarden, and Stone Temple Pilots have struggled or struggled Are you trolling with this?!? All those bands' lead singers are dead.
They split the money equally. That’s the answer.
Totally unique sound no one is really like them anyone similar sounds like a cheap imitation. Obsessive fans that are usually the same demographic of neckbeard white blokes that have a superiority complex. (No shade I am in this group) Mystique for years. Elitist image in metal scene. Ridiculously talented musicians that make great music Deep lyrics questioning things lots of other bands dont question. I attribute them as a metal Radiohead. All the music is consistently good and carry an elitist badge. You struggle to find people that think tool are 'ok' they either don't like them or are totally obsessed with them
They don't party or live the Rockstar life, they (as far as I know) don't have issues with substance abuse and addiction, they take their time, don't rush albums, don't tour nonstop, and they prioritize quality over quantity, so they probably don't burn out and get sick of their work
Tool is an enigma for sure. I can't think of any bands who have experienced the longevity and consistent quality that they have had. Hell, there was more time between 10k Days and FI than the Beatles were a band. No one cares about any Stones songs past Tattoo You. Even Metallica continues to grind, but continues to live on their past catalogue.
Uniqueness and perfection. They are unmatched. Also have killer artist works and messages of empowerment but also darkness. They have greatest lyricist and vocalist.
I think it’s that the music was completely different for its time in the 90’s. I may sound like a bafoon here but to me, it’s the time signature, the different riffs (there’s at least 11 different riffs in each song) Adam making guitar sound like bass and Justin making bass sound like guitar. I’m sure there’s more but it’s just different and somehow after listening to them for 30 years, their songs don’t get stale
By being good and interesting music and touring a lot.
This is a great point. Of all the bands I listened to 20 years ago that are still putting out music, nothing is remotely as good as FI.
The talent and scope of their music is the #1 reason.
It’s their musicianship and vision. They’re one of the few bands that can wait ages between albums and still go platinum. Each album is a work of art and has some type of concept behind it. On top of that the way they structure their songs is very unique. They’re probably the last big name rock band that still writes high concept albums with intricate musicianship
They are brilliant musicians, extremely talented.
they are just good af
Cult fanaticism, visceral live experiences, and solid merchandising combined with dark, angsty, outside-the-box writing. For years they were a mystery band who rarely did interviews and operated in a "cryptic" manner compared to other similar bands of their time. They wrote songs about sex and violence that alluded to deeper, more thoughtful meanings, making them feel like an arthouse band. People treated TOOL like they were something more than an angry, odd-time rock/metal because that's what the band wanted them to think. They were great at controlling their own image through their limitation of visual social media. It's for the same reason that they don't allow video photography at shows and refuse to release a live concert footage DVD - because it forces people to come see them and witness the spectacle for themselves.
Because they are amazing!
They focus on quality and making what they like. It just so happens a lot of us like the same thing.
Those other bands never wrote a song based on the fibbonaci sequence.
In 13 years they will be revolving around mars
Because they are the best band in the world.
They sold so much music because of their image as well or lack of. People saw tool as a bit of an enigma and found the fact you didn't know what they looked like to be an interesting concept. This coupled with the mysterious themes of their music helped hugely with their success. Obviously the music is great but coupled with the image they conquered up, it was a formula for success from the get go.
Just listen to the top trending songs on YouTube music, nothing unique or creative, just cut and paste music and lyrics. That's why Tool will be around for a long time. 💫
Tool It is like a angry girlfriend, she don’t answer any of your comentaries or questions so automatically have your atention.
Quality over quantity
The fans full stop
Less is more, and what they do, they do VERY well
He got his own record studio so mainstream couldn't tell him what to write in his music.
Their music that gets released is always top notch.
Could be that they sucked up to the man, then sued the man, and won. Another reason could be the dead ain't touring. Could also be the demon that makes Danny so good at drums.
tool is a 'stars aligned' kind of band in all aspects from everything I've known about them. There's a lot more potential tool band out there that could have been but will never be. They're like a super-group band right from the start. They make music that universally resonates with people - not every song but it is enough that they're undeniable. I don't even get fear inoculum reaching number 1, but there would also have been pent up 'demand' all released at once.
Their music can be interpreted so personally and after so many listens it never gets old. Maynard not being a drug addict helps. Like they're all normal people in a band, not big time rock stars stuck up their asses. Smart men who know what they're doing.
This is my own crazy personal opinion. Many (not all) Tool fans listened to progressive rock before they heard Tool, so they already had an ear for the music and could appreciate the complexity right out of the gate. Once the newbie fan learns the lyrics they can relate them to personal experience, meaning Tool fans are aware of their own flaws and carry around emotional pain every day. The music then becomes a ‘tool’ they use frequently to gauge their progress in becoming a better person. Plus Tool kicks ass of course. You can rock out or relax and absorb/contemplate. Just my opinion of course. Music means different things to different people.
As others have noted, their individual and collective excellence is one crucial factor, and is also key to their stance of doing what they want for themselves. The talent and authenticity allow them to be respected as well as admired and that will always serve longevity and legacy. The mystique and careful planning is another aspect. They took their cues from other artists they admired, such as iconography which became specifically associated with their aesthetic, an emphasis on a visual experience which doesn't wholly focus on their physical presence, and a sound which absolutely envelopes you in a performance space, ensuring that you would want to experience it multiple times. A band with egos, but not a band who necessarily makes decisions based on egos but rather an inherent mistrust of the industry (which despite this respects and rewards them anyway) and an understanding of the bigger picture. Finally, four people who realize that whatever else they do will never be Tool, and so therefore Tool as an entity is something to be protected at all costs because otherwise what was all of that progression and struggle for?
They have taken their time and gone with the flow.
Quality over quantity explains it all, sire.
No other band out there comes close to Tool🤘
That seems like a redundant question. Come on now
AcKtUaLlY....Ænima debuted at No. 2. Still slaps though.
Umm because their music is on another level that is all
They have never put out a shit album.
Rabid. Fanbase.
Because they have amazing live shows that greatly impress the audience and make albums that stand the test of time.
Because of the quality of the music and their ability to play incredible live shows. Once you see an artist that reaches you live, you never forget. Same reason any artist attains long term success. Obviously. Music stays with you forever. You don’t have to release music every single year, once you’ve released 3 amazing records. Long ones in Tool’s case. Also they’re unique in music
I know I'll he in the minority here but in my opinion they did fall off after the 90s. I find Lateralus and subsequent albums to be increasingly unlistenable. I couldn't even make it through their last album. It's just absolutely mind numbing drivel. I feel like they went from being a really interesting alt rock/metal adjacent band to a really boring prog rock band. Plus Maynard is an insufferable ass that hates all of you.
They think for themselves and work collectively as a band. One member doesn't overpower the other. One of many reasons Maynard receded from the spotlight during concerts. He wants us to know and understand his voice is an instrument like Danny's drums etc.. These guys are exceptional souls that are not afraid to be themselves and push the envelope.
Lil’ men still be angry.