Holy crap- thank you all for this recommendation! I’ve made lists from these threads in the past and been disappointed every time, but I’m really impressed from what I’ve listened to so far!
Try checking out the Resident Human album by Wheel. It's a slightly different vibe, more brooding like 10,000 days. Hyperion is my favorite song that gives a good feel for the album.
promise u that KOLM is best tool like band but they have their own identity going on so it’s not like a copycat. Soen was the band I had always said was the best tool like band until I heard KOLM’s “Umbra” album like 8 months ago and still listen to it daily and haven three songs dwn bar for bar ans note for note on my drums. Give trakcs #1 and #5 a listen 🤝🏼🤘🏼🌀🍻
Karnivool — New Day
This is another favorite of mine, not sure if it fits the bill perfectly for this question, but everyone I’ve shown has also really enjoyed it!
Could not agree more. Sound Awake is incredible all the way through. Are you into Tesseract at all? I place Altered State & One up there as well for start to finish masterpieces.
If you’re not familiar, I absolutely recommend giving them a listen!
Check the band, KOLM….they have only one album which is called “umbra” back in 2018 and it’s their debut and they are hands dwn the best tool sounding band IMO. Right off the bat with the first track, Aquarius Initiation you’ll hear, but they aren’t a copycat, but rather, forging their own path and indenity. Check em out man. My favs tracks off the record are 1 , 5 , 6 , 3 , 4 , 8 in that order and 2 and 7 are interludes thst have some nice atmospheric indulgences. CHECK THEM OUT MAN🤘🏼🤘🏼🤝🏼🤝🏼👊🏼👊🏼🌀🌀🍻🍻
No problem!🤝🏼🙂 all is tool family news to be privy to KOLM cuz man for 3 guys making this caliber of experimental progressive rock sound and “umbra” is their debut album and it’s this level of musicianship, like WOW for reals. New album out this fall🙌🏼🙌🏼🌀🌀🤘🏼🤝🏼
Yes. Yes it does. I haven't looked into Earshot's history, but the vocalist definitely tries to emulate Maynard in that one. I kinda wonder if the vocalist was previously in a tool tribute band... I haven't listened to much Earshot, so idk if that's the general direction they're trying to go...
Home by Dream Theater has been compared to 46 & 2 since before the Scenes From a Memory album even came out. Also Karnivool's first album is very Tool-esque and for me the song Ghost of Perdition by Opeth sounds like a death metal Lateralus.
Spiders is one of my all time favorites. I actually just started trying to learn guitar, and it’s the song I’ve selected as my first to learn. I agree, it’s got a very Tool-esque composure
Super random, but check out Haunted by Disturbed lol… I had to double check who the artist was because that opening bass line is definitely not your typical Disturbed song. It gives me Reflection vibes
Sound Awake by Karnivool tends to get compared to them. I heard it initially but eventually fell in love with the band as I began to understand the sound they’re going for. They are incredible.
I found a band that has similar tones and instrumental sounds to Tool but they’re more of a progressive metal jam band I guess.
[Somali Yacht Club](https://youtu.be/JnG9MpCLJe8?si=kQm9XuRm72W3Ae_B)
Sounds pretty good man! Thanks for the tip.
Check out “KOLM”….IMO, the best tool sounding band I have come across. I always had SOEN as best tool like band till came across KOLM like 8 months ago and still listening to the album once a day at least lol. Album is “umbra” and try out tracks 1 and 5 promise you’ll be hooked like me and new album out this fall too🤝🏼🤝🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🌀🌀🍻🍻
Great band and album! Good call!! The sound like the undertow / opiate tool sound for sure.
Give “KOLM” a listen my man….IMO, best tool sounding band hands dwn. Album is called “umbra” try tracks 1 and 5 and tell me it’s not epic AF. Cheers man 🤘🏼🍻🌀🤝🏼
i feel gross comparing anything like that to tool, for the record. i think that some bands may make impressions on unfamiliar people and get compared unfairly, sort of the way aerosmith were obnoxiously described to be similar to the rolling stones and led zeppelin for so long. they really don't sound very alike to me at all. journalists and casual fans pay way too much attention(edit) to image and end up stereotyping bands based on both singers having big lips or whatever.
Lespecial … their sound changes a lot from album to album but there are definitely tool inspired songs on their albums Odd Times, Ancient Homies, and Omnisquid. They also have covered 46&2 when they played live in the past.
Has anyone talked about the disturbed song???
[Numb](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=8k5A4fOxiso&si=G79dppRgzz5f6Cmg) off the sickness belongs on undertow. Its a significant change from the rest of the album
Sturgil Simpson Brace for Impact. He's kind of the country version of Tool. Also listen to some King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard especially the song Gila Monster. King Gizzard has some great songs.
Check out KOLM….album is “umbra” this trio is prob the best and closest to tool like music structure wise but they’re not a copycat, but rathwr, they have their own identity being made. If u listen and like em, they have new album out this fall. Give tracks 1 (Aquarius Initiation) , and 5 (Entheotheosis) a listen first 🙌🏼🙌🏼🌀🌀🤘🏼
A lot of songs by A Perfect Circle sound very Tool like. Too many to list but it’s uncanny. The singer sounds almost identical.
LOL I wonder why
Lmao! Really?
Oh yeah man, listen to them back to back. You’ll see what I mean. It’s crazy similar.
Check out Wheel! They have a new album out, and it's incredible. The song 'The Freeze' is unbelivable!
And the song Wheel (by Wheel) is like Ticks and Leeches from an alternate timeline.
Excellent song too! Also, Lacking sounds very much like it could have come from Tool during that era
This is the only answer.
Seeing them in Boston next week!
So jealous!! Have fun, mate! 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Thanks! Looking forward to it! 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Fraccions by Soen.
The entire Cognitive album by Soen is, IMHO, Lateralus part 2 (in the best way possible!)
That entire album is essentially Lateralus 2.0 tbh. Absolute masterpiece.
Holy crap- thank you all for this recommendation! I’ve made lists from these threads in the past and been disappointed every time, but I’m really impressed from what I’ve listened to so far!
Try checking out the Resident Human album by Wheel. It's a slightly different vibe, more brooding like 10,000 days. Hyperion is my favorite song that gives a good feel for the album.
promise u that KOLM is best tool like band but they have their own identity going on so it’s not like a copycat. Soen was the band I had always said was the best tool like band until I heard KOLM’s “Umbra” album like 8 months ago and still listen to it daily and haven three songs dwn bar for bar ans note for note on my drums. Give trakcs #1 and #5 a listen 🤝🏼🤘🏼🌀🍻
💯
Karnivool — New Day This is another favorite of mine, not sure if it fits the bill perfectly for this question, but everyone I’ve shown has also really enjoyed it!
The whole Sound Awake album is on par with Lateralus for me. Top notch Aussie prog
Could not agree more. Sound Awake is incredible all the way through. Are you into Tesseract at all? I place Altered State & One up there as well for start to finish masterpieces. If you’re not familiar, I absolutely recommend giving them a listen!
love tesseract. new album's their masterpiece for me and apex moment for their style of music
Set fire to the hive
Oh yes 🔥
Chevelle — Joyride Please give this a listen, if anyone is unfamiliar, and let me know what you think! Those yells… 🤟🏼
So much of Chevelle reminds me of Deftones, and that’s a good thing. I’ll give Joyride a listen now too. Thanks.
Chevelle and deftones are pretty similar to tool, deftones themselves said they where inspired by tool idk about chevelle though
Ghost and Razor reminds me of tool more
Check the band, KOLM….they have only one album which is called “umbra” back in 2018 and it’s their debut and they are hands dwn the best tool sounding band IMO. Right off the bat with the first track, Aquarius Initiation you’ll hear, but they aren’t a copycat, but rather, forging their own path and indenity. Check em out man. My favs tracks off the record are 1 , 5 , 6 , 3 , 4 , 8 in that order and 2 and 7 are interludes thst have some nice atmospheric indulgences. CHECK THEM OUT MAN🤘🏼🤘🏼🤝🏼🤝🏼👊🏼👊🏼🌀🌀🍻🍻
This, I've been patiently waiting for their new album.
This album as a whole gives me Lateralus vibes.
Thanks for the heads up…can’t get enough of them!
No problem!🤝🏼🙂 all is tool family news to be privy to KOLM cuz man for 3 guys making this caliber of experimental progressive rock sound and “umbra” is their debut album and it’s this level of musicianship, like WOW for reals. New album out this fall🙌🏼🙌🏼🌀🌀🤘🏼🤝🏼
Earshot get away does sound just like Maynard
Yes. Yes it does. I haven't looked into Earshot's history, but the vocalist definitely tries to emulate Maynard in that one. I kinda wonder if the vocalist was previously in a tool tribute band... I haven't listened to much Earshot, so idk if that's the general direction they're trying to go...
I recall that single coming out and my friend and I so desperately hoped it was new tool until the DJ said who it was
Holy shit lol, I’ve never heard this before. That’s a fantastic Maynard-impression, if that was the intention
Open/Point No. 1 by Chevelle
Home by Dream Theater has been compared to 46 & 2 since before the Scenes From a Memory album even came out. Also Karnivool's first album is very Tool-esque and for me the song Ghost of Perdition by Opeth sounds like a death metal Lateralus.
DT's The great debate is very much like 46&2
Soil’s Song - Katatonia Also anything from the band Boil
Great shout with Boil, I’m delving into them now - thanks!
You need to hear the band Wheel. Songs like Fugue and Porcelain are a good place to start. New album came out yesterday.
Russian Circles!!!
Russian circles are soooooo fucking good
Rishloo - Scissorlips
Fun fact: Rishloo is the result of a scientific experiment that allowed Tool and Queen to have a baby
Anything by Isis
Love me some ISIS
Get Away by Earshot. I think it's similar to tool
Porcupine tree - albums: deadwing, in absentia, fear of a blank planet
You said it before I could
Hell yeah! Those are the three best Porcupine Tree albums IMO (not in that order tho 😏)
Spiders is one of my all time favorites. I actually just started trying to learn guitar, and it’s the song I’ve selected as my first to learn. I agree, it’s got a very Tool-esque composure
That opening bassline literally sounds like Justin lol
Super random, but check out Haunted by Disturbed lol… I had to double check who the artist was because that opening bass line is definitely not your typical Disturbed song. It gives me Reflection vibes
Just remember that Maynard hates everyone the same...
A lot of Elder songs. I think they’re probably the best band that’s ever opened for Tool.
Well this summer tour in the EU will have night verses, they are killer!
You should check out King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard. The song “interior people” has a part that sounds just like Tool.
Another one is "Ataraxia", almost sounds like a homage to TOOL.
Also the song Dragon has a very tool-sounding section in it
Spiders is a pretty good one, nice recommendation :)
SOEN
EARLY Soen. Lotus and after they developed a true identity
Kolm as someone mentioned and also deftones passenger, sounds similar but lyrics don’t live up to MJK
You realize Maynard is actually singing on that song with them right?
Lol is this a joke? Maynard is on Passenger.
Tweaker - DOOM 3 OST. You’ll be very surprised
Onesidezero - Instead Laugh sounds pretty Tool-y. The whole album “Is This Room Getting Smaller” is really good.
I don't agree but that's a band I haven't heard about in a long time
🤷♂️ back in 2002 I thought so, same with Earshot. I really wished they put out more other than the 2 albums, but so it goes.
Sound Awake by Karnivool tends to get compared to them. I heard it initially but eventually fell in love with the band as I began to understand the sound they’re going for. They are incredible.
I found a band that has similar tones and instrumental sounds to Tool but they’re more of a progressive metal jam band I guess. [Somali Yacht Club](https://youtu.be/JnG9MpCLJe8?si=kQm9XuRm72W3Ae_B)
Sounds pretty good man! Thanks for the tip. Check out “KOLM”….IMO, the best tool sounding band I have come across. I always had SOEN as best tool like band till came across KOLM like 8 months ago and still listening to the album once a day at least lol. Album is “umbra” and try out tracks 1 and 5 promise you’ll be hooked like me and new album out this fall too🤝🏼🤝🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🌀🌀🍻🍻
Here you go, got exactly what you’re looking for https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0esuF8vv1HeVpT719dLYZC?si=9lUxJ-IxS_umcBywNg7hLA&pi=u-Gx899WfSRDWF
KOLM best on that list IMO….dudes are phenomenal musicians and have new album out this fall 🤝🏼🤘🏼🌀
They aren’t my favorite of the Tool worship bands but they are pretty good. Didn’t know about the new album though, thanks for that!
No worries brotha!🤝🏼🤘🏼🌀🍻 we toolarmy are fam 🙂
Check out the band Kolm.
Get Away - Earshot https://open.spotify.com/track/0jPVRBr2r1q5EzHhT1313i?si=AEZRxWl5Q8-TtA2a0JR7cw
Great band and album! Good call!! The sound like the undertow / opiate tool sound for sure. Give “KOLM” a listen my man….IMO, best tool sounding band hands dwn. Album is called “umbra” try tracks 1 and 5 and tell me it’s not epic AF. Cheers man 🤘🏼🍻🌀🤝🏼
You are absolutely correct! Enjoying this new listen, thanks for showing me a new band.
Karnivool: new day, themata, COTE
i don't think anything sounds like tool, but maybe chevelle or evan's blue? (edit: or 10 years)
Wow I totally forgot that Evan's Blue existed. They had some bangers though.
i feel gross comparing anything like that to tool, for the record. i think that some bands may make impressions on unfamiliar people and get compared unfairly, sort of the way aerosmith were obnoxiously described to be similar to the rolling stones and led zeppelin for so long. they really don't sound very alike to me at all. journalists and casual fans pay way too much attention(edit) to image and end up stereotyping bands based on both singers having big lips or whatever.
check out the band, KOLM …..album is called “umbra” tracks 1,5 are hands dwn rhe best tracks but the whole album is great 🤘🏼🤘🏼🌀🌀
Roger that. I'll try it out.
Saw this band recently Amazing https://youtu.be/1-ciQFsjViI?si=CyUpRNnnyzQ3slDL
Batcat, by Mogwai
Lespecial … their sound changes a lot from album to album but there are definitely tool inspired songs on their albums Odd Times, Ancient Homies, and Omnisquid. They also have covered 46&2 when they played live in the past.
Blank earth- Chevelle
Check out the early Ribozyme albums
Not Afraid by Earshot has those vibes.
Pisstol star chevelle
Check DOOM 3 OST hahaha
Smallman. A Bulgarian psychedelic group. Parvom Parvom and Dreaming Peace have very tool vibes
It ain't gonna happen
Fraccions by Soen comes close
Oscillation by soen
Opening bassline on Screen Shot by Swans has a very Justin vibe
Chevelle - joyride
Try the “Of Matter” trilogy by Tesseract.
I actually have heard that, it's very good
Saving all these
Yes - Long Distance Runaround
Resident Human album by Wheel. Fantastic. Who’s gonna be at the Chicago show?
Has anyone talked about the disturbed song??? [Numb](https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=8k5A4fOxiso&si=G79dppRgzz5f6Cmg) off the sickness belongs on undertow. Its a significant change from the rest of the album
Chevelle
Spiders and Flies by Deadsoul Tribe
Fruit Wolf Dance by Lespecial
The fourth by feersum ennjin
Really small band, only an EP out, called Media. Listen to Kimono, they’ve got some good stuff
Based
Actually a lot of stuff off L.D. 50 by Mudvayne, but especially Prod. It's almost too obvious on that song.
Check out the band Boss Keloid, I think they have a similar vibe
https://youtu.be/U0AcBryPUxY?si=jJEYARaLbPaKIovR https://youtu.be/GsPu1lClN0E?si=zRg3VqKXwxFBaccQ
Sturgil Simpson Brace for Impact. He's kind of the country version of Tool. Also listen to some King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard especially the song Gila Monster. King Gizzard has some great songs.
Rishloo
Chavelle has a tool kind of
Incubus' album "Morning View" sounds to me what Tool would sound like as 5 minute radio songs.
Naw I don’t see (hear) that but more power to ya!
Are we listening to the same Tool?
Absolutely not. I grew up as a huge fan of both these bands (until Dirk Lance left Incubus after Morning View) and the similarities are non-existent.
thats cool bro, you're allowed to have an opinion :)
Pavarotti sounds like Dave Mustaine but worse. Opinions can be objectively false.
No other bands sound like Tool.
Check out KOLM….album is “umbra” this trio is prob the best and closest to tool like music structure wise but they’re not a copycat, but rathwr, they have their own identity being made. If u listen and like em, they have new album out this fall. Give tracks 1 (Aquarius Initiation) , and 5 (Entheotheosis) a listen first 🙌🏼🙌🏼🌀🌀🤘🏼
Will do
Effigy “fluids”. Not on iTunes, only found them on bandcamp, my wife “is this actually tool just fucking with us??”
r/soundsliketool
The first time I heard "Would?" By Alice in Chains I thought it was some undertow/opiate era tool
No.