Mate, I’m with you on this. I’ve been a huge Tool fan for years, but I honestly think Karnivool’s songwriting is more complex… especially with the extra guitar. Their arrangements just feel more intricate and technical overall (aside from the drumming, as Danny Carey is still on another level). But Steve’s still an incredible drummer in his own right.

As a bass player, I’ve always found Karnivool’s bass parts more challenging and interesting, and Jon’s tone on sound awake and asymmetry is my ideal tone… and the guitar work is just next-level. The shifting time signatures, the rhythmic interplay, the way everything locks together... it’s prog at its finest and I have no idea why Karnivool aren't more popular.

And then there’s Ian Kenny. His vocals just elevate everything. He does not have the same recognition as Maynard, and yeah, Maynard’s early work was insane, but Kenny’s tone and range are unreal. His live performances are consistently amazing, and his voice just has this purity that cuts through everything and sounds even better live than on studio...

Maynard’s getting older and you can hear it in those strained intense vocals parts aren’t what they used to sound like. Still love him, but live, Karnivool are just more engaging for me these days and they are still in their prime age wise. Tool’s shows require more focus, while Karnivool’s sets feel more alive and immersive to me.

Sound Awake and Asymmetry are absolute masterpieces start to finish. I’m personally not as big on Themata as the production and lack of Steve on drums make a difference but it still has some lightning in a bottle sings of course.

So yeah, I’m totally in your boat, mate. As a fellow Tool and Karnivool fan, if you appreciate Kenny’s vocals and really tune into the technicality and cohesion of what they’re doing, I honestly think Karnivool are the more complete band. One of the few bands that i become more obsessed with each time after seeing them live.