Band: Tool

With a sound that treads a thin line between metal and dark alternative rock, there's no denying that Tool has been one of the most influential, interesting, creative and original bands to emerge in the last decade or so. Tool's dark, inward-looking lyrical motifs, occasionally over-bearing art rock pretentiousness and near-virtuoso playing attracts listeners from many areas, including many of the more open-minded metal audience and it's clear that the band has had a considerable influence on the genre.