I really don't like Tool, at all. I totally agree with the person who said they wander aimlessly. I may have said this on this board before, can't remember, but I think Tool just decide they're going to write a song that's 7 minutes long and then they go ahead and prolong it to fill the time. Bore me to tears. And yes, I've listened to them, my brother has all the albums. I don't like them.
That said, the new Katatonia album is awesome. Which means any Tool-isms are kept to a minimum, and certainly if there is some influence from the band in the new album, then the worst qualities of Tool aren't there. This album is pure Katatonia anyway, and that's that. So far I think I'd rate it in the middle. Definitely better than Last Fair Deal Gone Down, but it's not their best.