I don't mean to go off topic here but the most frustrating thing about tool is how secretive they are. They don't like "sharing tech" as I like to refer to it and there's just no videos of them explaining how to play their songs. It really bothers me because while Adam isn't exactly the most technical guitarist out there. He uses a lot of unusual/odd picking and strumming patterns that give him his unique sound and + all his gear helps with that too.

That's why I've become more fascinated with guys like tosin Abasi who are far more impressive on their instrument and are willing to share what they've learned over the years. Idk if it has something to do with copyrights or tool trying to maintain this "mystique" behind their band/music but it's honestly frustrating as a musician. Like, I honestly couldn't care less about song meanings and what Maynards trying to say lol. I really don't care about that shit but what I'm most interested in about the band is their music. The structure of their songs, the techniques they use (adam, Justin and danny) and obviously the gear too.

Adam comes off as one of those magicians who are purists, u know? Like those guys hate anyone that reveals a magic trick because it essentially kills the illusion but fuck man... this is music.

Anyways, I think the hardest songs are the ones that aren't exactly straight forward. For example, reflection is just one of those songs where ur like what's actually the guitar and it just seems so spacey and experimental and it also doesn't help that he uses something called a E bow to produce that dreamy, slide sound. But a lot of stuff Adam does with his guitar he tends to repeat a lot. Like playing in the same key just using different technique and odd patterns to sort of make it sound different.

But anyways, yea, I'd say a lot of the stuff from lateralus and 1ok Days is "rhythmically" difficult but once u learn the timing I hear it's not that hard. Idk if uve heard of a YouTube user named "AxeofCreation" but he's guitar instructor and he's got a lot of videos going into detail on how to play their songs + music theory too. U should check him out if u havent.