LATERALUS

Prog is a very general term. It can diverge into several different subgenres, as this website has explained in its definition of the word. TOOL is very much a prog band, specializing in loud aggressive soundscapes. They have the lengthy songs, the complex time signatures. That qualifies them as prog, although to an extent.

With that said, LATERALUS is a great album. Very cerebral in its nature. I'd say the overall theme of this album, although a loose theme, is relationships. How one entity relates to another, be it personal, spiritual, mathematical, etc. Maynard's lyrics thoroughly analyze the roots of these kinds of relationships and asks how and why things co-exist. I won't analzye these lyrics myself, but I think that's the "gist" of it.

As for the music, it's some very brilliant metal. I commend Danny Carey for his complex patterns and precise timekeeping, and Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor for conducting these hypnotic and surging melodies on guitar and bass. Sometimes, it just good old chunky metal riffs. Other times, it's the beautiful interweaving of each instrument. All of which create a dark, exciting atmosphere. Even parts where the guitar and bass switch roles (like on the intro to THE GRUDGE, the guitar is played like a bass, and vice versa) is impressive.

This album is the most prog-like effort from Tool. It's not completely prog. And usually they are labeled as alt-metal. But even if it's decent prog, it's excellent alt-metal when compared to the likes of Korn and Limp Bizkit (I won't add Deftones to that list because they still have my respect).