[invasuant]

i think tool is a great band, but i find them a little too mechanical and not as musical as some others. tool freaks should check out pain of salvation and opeth. for metal heads who want something more on the aor side, there is a lot out there: threshold, lacuna coil, stream of passion, arena, kamelot, angra, shaman. not all ascention oriented, but all intelligent and talented.
those with a taste for symphonic prog a la yes & genesis need to hear the flower kings and spock's beard/neal morse. morse professes to be born-again christian, and his music is just extraordinary.