You don't think there might be a Tool thread already somewhere amongst the 38,581 on this forum? In fact there are several, but this is the most recent/active:

http://www.musicbanter.com/rock-meta...ol-thread.html

There's no band that's exactly like Tool. I think Rage Against The Machine's first album is a lot like Opiate/Undertow. I'd also compare Rishloo, and to a lesser extent Isis and Porcupine Tree, to the sound on Aenima/Lateralus.

Yes!
I'm always so happy to find other TOOL fans.
Anyone here a member of the Collective Unconscious?

When given the chance I could go on and on about TOOL and other related topics.
BTW, is anyone else convinced that the so called loft fire was an April Fools joke?
I mean it was posted the night before the 1st and you know how much Maynard loves his pranks.

when is their new album expected?

Likely my most listened to band in my lifetime. I listened to it so much that the only stuff I still enjoy from them is Undertow, because I listened to that far less than I listened to Lateralus, Aenima and 10,000 Days.

I've also seen them live 14 times.

Live is a different experience however. I do eagerly await some new material if it ever comes about. Burnt out their entire catalog nearly.

Still, great stuff. I don't know too many people that outright dislike them or have no respect for them.

I'd say 2014. They are slowly working on it now, though Maynard said it won't be this year because he hasn't started writing lyrics.

They've been slowly working on it for 7 years! 2014 would be amazing but I'm not counting on it.

Yeah your extremely right. I think it would be amazing to if a cover album of tools music came from a collection of bands.

Rishloo Porcupine tree would be cool. But also I would Love to see Periphery and The Faceless. Also bands like Protest the hero could take an amazing twist on tools work>

Does anyone else think that Aenima is timeless?