Tool - powerful with no melody?

I was curious about the band "Tool" so I purchased their album "Lateralus".  I have only listened to it once and really am not sure what to make of it yet.  I am impressed by the musicians obvious talents but some of the music seems somewhat tribal, but at the same time with off time signatures and interesting interplay between the bass player and guitarist.  I have mostly listened to the classic prog bands and thought it might be time to listen to some more recent ones.  I guess the one thing that stands out about these guys is the lack of melody line in the songs.  The singer while having a very good voice seems to lack the desire to put an acutal melody into the vocals.  Of course one listen is not a way to judge an album or band but these are just initial impressions.   I am impressed by the arrangements and can see why these guys are considered by some to be great.  Does anyone listen to Tool on this forum and if so I would like to hear some opinions.

Having not heard a great deal of their material i can give a detailed analysis, but what i have heard i find enjoyable. Nice easy listening but keeping its metal routes. I think they have been discussed before so no doubt people will have more to say. 

Edited by will

Aside from Schism, I never thought a whole lot of Lateralus....Aenema is much better.

Reed Lover wrote: gdub411 wrote: Aside from Schism, I never thought a whole lot of Lateralus....Aenema is much better. You'd prefer an Enema to most things Gdubbery! Your favourite "smiley"

Actually I don't think anyone is terribly fond of enemas , but it's always a good idea to clean the pipes out before....well....you know

gdub411 wrote: Reed Lover wrote: gdub411 wrote: Aside from Schism, I never thought a whole lot of Lateralus....Aenema is much better. You'd prefer an Enema to most things Gdubbery! Your favourite "smiley" Actually I don't think anyone is terribly fond of enemas , but it's always a good idea to clean the pipes out before....well....you know

I thought you'd consider an enema as foreplay!

frenchie wrote: i think that lateralus demands more patience than the other albums. it is the most perfected piece they have written. the main flaw with aenima is the fluidity of the album can be rather awkward. otherwise it is incredible. with laterlus they perfected this by using linking tracks (eon blue apocolypse, mantra, disposition, paraol) to link the previous song to the next song in one continuos flow. eg the grudge bridges straight into the patient and so on... schism, the grudge, parabola, the patient... all masterpieces. ticks and leeches and lateralis are incredible too. laterlus takes patience. i find it the most rewarding of the lot if you want a recent band that has all the influences of 60s/70s prog then listen to the mars volta.

Actually I have heard nothing but good things about Mars Volta so I will have to check them out as well.  Thanks for the intelligent response!