Cannot get into Tool

The Following are -quotes/not necessarily universal characteristics- from the "Prog Rock?" definition page:

let's have a look, shall we....?

"Long compositions, sometimes running over 20 minutes, with intricate melodies and harmonies that require repeated listening to grasp."
Tool's songs are epics in their own right, they average over 7 minutes, "Third Eye" on Aenima is over 13 minutes.  The songs "Disposition" "Reflection" and "Triad" on Lateralus were originally conceived as one song, but later split.  together they add up to over 20 minutes.

"Lyrics that convey intricate and sometimes impenetrable narratives, covering such themes as science fiction, fantasy, history, religion, war, love, and madness."
Umm..... listen to Lateralus or Aenima.  they lyrics are quite dense, but are more metaphysical then storytelling.

"Concept albums, in which a theme or storyline is explored throughout an entire album in a manner similar to a film or a play."
Lateralus and Aenima could each be argued as a concept album, but loosely as in a DSOTM sort of concept.  Not all prog bands need concept albums anyway.

"Unusual vocal styles and use of multi-part vocal harmonies. See Magma, Robert Wyatt, and Gentle Giant."
Maynard has an unusual vocal style.  if you cannot hear that, try listening.

"Prominent use of electronic instrumentation — particularly keyboard instruments such as the organ, piano, Mellotron, and Moog synthesizer..."
Not all prog bands use these, but a good portion of Danny Carey's drum set is electronic, plus he uses tabla drums.

"Use of unusual time signatures, scales, or tunings. Many pieces use multiple time signatures and/or tempi, sometimes concurrently. Solo passages for virtually every instrument, designed to showcase the virtuosity of the player."
While Tool does not generally indulge in outright displays of virtuosity, they CERTAINLY use unusual time signatures.  Take the RADIO SINGLE "Scism" for example, which is in 12/8 time comprised of alternating measures of 5/8 and 7/8.  Their other RADIO SINGLE "Lateralus" features a 3-measure chorus riff in which each measure progresses from 9/8 to 8/8 to 7/8.  These are only 2 examples out of many.

"Inclusion of classical pieces on albums. For example, Yes start their concerts with a taped extract of Stravinsky's Firebird suite..."
So they dont draw from classical influences directly.  so what?

"An aesthetic linking the music with visual art, a trend started by The Beatles with Sgt. Pepper's and enthusiastically embraced during the prog heyday."

Ask yourself how many of these apply to Tool. Yes, as the person I have quoted has asked, do please check the definition page. I've attempted to play devil's advocate in an unbias way in response to a Tool-fan - and that is all.