42 LATERALUS

Tool

Odd time signatures and scholarly themes once seemed to be the preserve of classic prog (think British public school boys with flutes and loon pants). But in 2001 it was American progressive metal behemoths Tool who rectified that with this gnarly, enveloping epic. True, it wasn’t an easy listen – lyrics revolving around the mathematical fibonacci sequence don’t exactly scream ‘Party on!’ – but it did showcase a unique breed of experimental heaviness that felt both strange and grandiose.

Five years later Tool returned with 10,000 Days, and then… nothing, until last year when they finally released the Fear Inoculum album and both the rock and metal worlds lost their shit. PG From: Lateralus, 2001