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The Top 25 Modern Metal Guitarists

#18: ADAM JONES (TOOL)

 Wednesday, May 11th, 2011 at 5:00pm by

MetalSucks recently polled its staff to determine who are The Top 25 Modern Metal Guitarists, and after an incredible amount of arguing, name calling, and physical violence, we have finalized that list! The only requirements to be eligible for the list were that the musician in question had to a) play metal (duh), b) play guitar (double-duh), and c) have recorded something in the past five years. Today we continue our countdown with Tool’s Adam Jones…

I love thinking of Tool’s Adam Jones as an awesome guitar player. I mean, it’s true, even despite his total lack of resemblance to those we think of as rad axedudes. He’s not that kind of virtuoso. Like, I find no photo documentation of his jumping off a monitor or rocking out with his lead singer. Nor does he pucker his lips or drop his jaw whilst ripping. Gosh, he doesn’t really rip, ever. No screaming artificial harmonics or tapping; no runs or tremolo picking; I can identify only a handful of Tool moments that qualify as a solo, or even a second guitar part. Mostly, his accents go only far as wah pedal and wicked vibrato. That is what Tool requires; that is what Jones is awesome at.

When a song demands, Jones will lull the listener into a drowsy trance (to set up a Danny Carey-powered face-punching); at other times, his guitar will signal the charge (like in the big payoff in “Lateralus”); elsewhere, he’s chugging, staggering, counterpointing, dueting with vocalist Maynard James Keenan. When locked in with the Tool rhythm section, his parts stagger or extend theirs. When he’s slamming, his drop-D chord riffs inflate Tool to titan size.

But like Alex Lifeson, he cedes lead instrument duties to the drummer (and sometimes to the bassist; see: “10,000 Days” or “Schism” ) and plays foot pedals in concert (like on “Reflection”). Unlike Lifeson, his riffs have basis in feel, with familiar hammer-on/pull-offs throughout (see: “Prison Sex,” the end of “Jambi”). And that’s just the loud stuff; his quiet, noodly mini-suites like “Eon Blue Apocalypse” serve as tense breathing space between chaotic epics, like exterior shots in One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. These touches of cinema are no surprise coming from a visual artist like Jones, who’s a photographer and comics artist, the auteur of Tool’s videos, and once an effects designer on Hollywood movies. That’s not when he’s working with the abovementioned multi-Grammyed, bazillion-selling band Tool. And he’s a Lakers fan. Wow, he’s not just an awesome guitar player; he’s the perfect guitar player!

-ADF

THE LIST SO FAR

#19 — Vernon Reid (Living Colour)

#20 — Misha Mansoor (Periphery)

#21 — Alex Skolnick (Testament)

#22 – Ivar Bjørnson (Enslaved)

#23 — Synyster Gates (Avenged Sevenfold)

#24 — Chris Letchford (Scale the Summit)

#25 — Paul Ryan (Origin)




Tags: , , ,
  • Metalguy

    Once again displaying your utter misunderstanding of the word modern.

    • damian

      they definitely clarified this when they said it was any who had released an album in the last 5 years though..

      • Matt

        Yea but I mean c’mon, it’s pretty pathetic to think that Muhammed Suicmez isn’t going to make this list, a player who is basically the pinnacle of modern death metal guitarists, while a couple dudes from 90′s rock bands are being tossed on here. Metal is a guitarist dominated genre and it almost seems like they’re struggling to find 25 worthy players, it’s kind of insulting to all the great players out there.
        With that said I do love Adam Jones though.

        • damian

          well there’s still 17 more to go. Theres a lot of potential for talented and younger guitarists to be there as well

      • deanerhead

        Tool’s last album was released in April of 2006 (May 2nd in the U.S.). So while it may be anal, they actually just miss the five year mark (though I’m sure the MS writers would claim they compiled the list weeks ago).

      • http://diggin-graves.blogspot.com/ The Fool

        Tool’s last album “10,000 Days” was definitely released exactly five years and nine days ago today. So technically that doesn’t even fit MS’s own definition of the word “modern.” Actually, by that definition, Tommy Iommi could be considered “modern.”

        • SourDeez

          You’re all implying that Tool have passed their heyday. That is simply false. They’re just as relevant today as they were ten years ago, if not more relevant. Whatever they release next will receive equal, if not greater, coverage than Lateralus or 10,000 Days. Sure, Tony Iommi is still making music, but it’s decidedly old-school and nostalgic. Calling Tool “a 90s band” because they started in the 90s is ridiculous, they don’t fit into any 90s scene that has since died out. They never broke up or fell apart. They’re a modern band.

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jacob-Quintero/788612754 Jacob Quintero
    • Tony

      I was really hoping adam wouldn’t be left off of this list, and am pretty happy with where he is placed. A lot of times the guitarist/s in metal bands run the show or try to take over the show. Thats not how Adam works. He is exactly what the song needs him to be. Effective, creative, heavy, beautiful….You could write a book on his work. Everyone knows him, hatas gonna hate, so let it begin.

      Paul Waggoner top 5, by the way, or the heavens will fall.

      • Krang10

        I could never be that great of friends with a person who doesn’t like Tool.

        • Dirtman73

          I feel the same way about Tool fans, the most obnoxious music listeners on earth aside from Phish Heads or Pitchfork readers.

      • jimbo slice

        I agree. excellent placement on the list.

        • TOki

          Yea I was waitng for him to get on the list!!
          And they actually have been working on new material for months, listened to one of their songs and sounds a little promising

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Charles-Conover/1008254459 Charles Conover

            >implying you’ve heard new Tool material.
            lolwut. impossible.failed troll.

    • Stolas Trephinator

      The 25 Metal Guitarists Who Aren’t Dead.

  • Seth

    I’m a bit disappointed.

    “Modern” made me think actually modern, not guitarists who used to be good(or maybe still are) and have released something recently.

    Not trying to flame or anything, you guys are doing your best but so far the list has really been a mixed bag. It feels like a list of the greatest guitarists was compiled and then sifted through for the ones who have released music in the past 5 years regardless of the quality of the recent release.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Devon-Czekaj/550092101 Devon Czekaj

      This.

    • TomB

      Yeah, this is the best, most concise version of the now popular complaint I’ve yet read.

      • http://www.metalsucks.net Vince Neilstein

        Oh, be patient, peoples! Will ya?

        -VN

        • Seth

          Yes sir uncle V.

          I’ve just found myself disappointed with a few of these, I’m hoping the list will be better formed for the top 15 or so.

          Maybe I’m just an asshole.

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Cleber-Monteiro/100000392246968 Cleber Monteiro

            I wonder where Adrian Smith and Dave Murray will appear on this list,since they’ve released a new album last year..that makes them super modern!

  • boazhimself

    lulz at haters above. you so mad.

    this is legit.

    • Seth

      Tool is a good band.

      Always have been, hopefully always will be.

      I’m simply stating that this list doesn’t seem like much of a “modern list”.

    • No good war, No bad peace

      “Oh no, this does not meet my personal definition of modern metal guitarist. I’m so butthurt” -all haterz

      • Seb

        They mad.

  • stana

    weirdest list evar (probably serg d is writing it)

    • Kuranes

      But that’s a good point… Will there be Sergeant D-selected guitar players? One can only hope so.

  • Fred Durst

    This guy is totally underrated. So sick of seeing guitarists who may be technically proficient but cant write good music getting blown by the press.

    I mean, that Jambi solo is magical and rad, and if you didnt drop a load when you first heard Sober then you have no business on this site.

    • clrtxf

      I didn’t, but I was also like 10.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Vince-Decker/100002225040320 Vince Decker

      sober prob got me into these guys back in the day. they were prob a prerequisite band for me to get into metal. this dude is pretty one dimensional and im not really into tool anymore, but i have less probs with him than a7x or living color being included.

    • Zebra’s Cigar

      Amen.

      Metal is primarily dominated by guys trying to be the hardest and fastest instrument wank in the genre as a whole. What Adam Jones creates is a song’s atmosphere. He’s gives the song a soul, something that is seriously lacking in contemporary music. When Jones decides to solo, he’s built something that is going to resonate through out the rest of the song; even after he’s finished.

      Think about all the classic Metal solos. It wasn’t about how many notes there were or how fast they were played. Any kid who seriously pursues guitar for a year or so can probably get them down pretty well. They can play it note for note just like Iommi or Rhodes, but they’ll never be able to play it like Iommi or Rhodes. That’s the real sign of great guitar playing.

      There’s nothing simple about what Adam Jones does, even if it’s not as complicated as whatever bullshit Dragonforce is faking the ability to do. Any list compiling musicians who’ve made significant contributions to the genre in the last twenty years not featuring Adam Jones is kidding themselves.

      I know I just spent four paragraphs sucking his dick, but I haven’t cared about Tool since Aenima. Good musicianship should be admired, regardless.

      • DODO

        I totally agree with you, technique should not be a substitute for tasteful, intelligent playing.

    • a;sdlfkj

      this is exclusively based on opinion. the fact that you think people are technically proficient but can’t write good music is clearly your take on the matter and nothing more. many people could say that about paul ryan or “vogg” from decapitated but the fact of the matter is, is that they write the kind of music THEY like… which might not necessarily be everyone’s opinion (e.g.: you) but is clearly based on your taste in music. THEY have their own sound that THEY’VE created to be the way THEY want it to sound. i personally think tool sucks but that doesn’t mean they can’t write good music… it’s just music i don’t particularly care for. in conclusion, that is why people who are technically proficient “get blown by the press”… because people who aren’t jackasses put taste aside to acknowledge other aspects of music.

  • Butthurt

    Adam Jones writes (or contributes) to some great songs. Nothing about him as a guitar players is remotely impressive. Is this a list of the best guitarists or best songwriters (I would argue that he doesn’t even write great riffs)?

    Also, MS is once again playing it fast and loose with the “modern” term.

  • Some Random Dude

    Adam Jones is one of the best experimental guitarists out there. He deserves a lot more praise than he gets because he thinks outside the box and creates cutting-edge tones using unconventional techniques and engineering. He’s a major influence in my guitar playing.

  • goatroper

    Tool is the absolute shit and he deserves to be on this list for sure. Best pick yet, Yes he is modern 10,000 days is amazing and progressive

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ed-Barranger/1199176563 Ed Barranger

    i dont care what anyone says. Adam Jones totally belongs on this list. he proves that you dont have to musically masturbate to be considered an awesome guitarist

  • eetfuk

    Sure, he’s a great player for his band, but putting him before Skolnick? Lay off the pot, dudes!

  • JB

    I dont need an explanation. Tool is good, but fuck this choice,

  • Steph

    I love how understated his playing is for a prog(?) band. Technical wankery does absolutely nothing for me.

  • JB

    Put fucking karnivools guitarists in here then. they’re the new Tool

  • Zompacalypse

    Plenty of guy can sweep and tap their way through a solo and say absolutely nothing. Adam Jones can do none of the above and blow your little earholes into oblivion. Next to Iommi, Jones it the guitarist that has influenced the way I look at the instrument the most. Often overlooked and rarely imitated, the man gets it done.

  • http://satanicpowerpop.tumblr.com Isaac

    Oy, no. I do like Tool, but… no.
    Matt Pike does everything that you described, but better. As does Jus Oborn.
    I get what you’re saying with the manipulation of tone and all that, but there are SO many people who do it better. Oh, and not to mention that they can both write and play circles around Jones.

    • DODO

      I really hope Matt Pike and Jus Oborn will be on this list! High on FIre (also Sleep) and Electric Wizard are probably two of my favorite “modern” metal bands.

  • MeesterDerp

    Not metal, not modern, not good.

    • You

      KAKAKAKA YEAH!

  • Sapien

    A great choice. Adam Jones has such finesse, but can also pummel you into oblivion on command. What’s with everyone saying he’s not modern? I think he practically defines modern.

  • Julia

    The list is modern (technically), it’s just that the picks are boring. Not that the guitarists themselves are boring, but we’ve all heard about Tool, Testament, etc. for years now and it’s kinda meh for entertainment value on a list. If I was trying to be truthful I’d probably make boring picks too, but I think everyone just wants to see the newest guitar sensations on here.

    Just an observation. Otherwise, I think all the guitarists featured so far are great.

  • canea

    That Tool video just put me to sleep.

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  • ACoffinShip

    Tool’s alright but this guy has never really seemed particularly special. The bass, vocals, and drumming have always really carried Tool in my opinion and while he may be a GOOD guitarist there’s no way I’d put him ahead of anyone on this list or on the list at all.

    Plus while it’s true that Lifeson often plays second fiddle of Lee and Peart, Lifeson’s fucking righteous in his own right, far and above Adam Jones. His guitarwork in Jacob’s Ladder makes for some of my very favorite plus he’s shown serious chops all throughout their career.

    I guess what I’m saying here is that Lifeson should be on this list. He’s still alive. Rush is still putting out albums. If Living Color are both recent and metal then I don’t see why Rush isn’t either.

    • Adam

      Exactly. Listen to the guitar solo in limelight. It was written 30 years ago and still has more attitude and ambition than any players best solo on this list so far.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Steven-Stamopoulos/575083326 Steven Stamopoulos

        fuck yeah.

        lifeson destroys

  • Ian

    Wait wait wait wait wait.

    Alex Lifeson’s riffs don’t have feel? Are you kidding me?

    • ShreddyK

      +1. Yeah. What, exactly is this supposed to mean?

      “Unlike Lifeson, his riffs have basis in feel, with familiar hammer-on/pull-offs throughout”

    • Bakaked

      It’s accurate tho. Lifeson’s priority is beauty and voice, his riffs don’t always feel good to play. Your hands work hard and songs occasionally get top-heavy. Groove isnt what rush is about. Neil is pretty straight. Adam Jones and Tool, playing those parts is pleasing to the hands as the riffs are built for groove and comfort. Much lower degree of difficulty. I hope that makes sense? At any rate, both are brilliant musicians and I love the comparison.

  • Spice Addict

    Seriously guys….you do realize that this list is in descending order, right? As in….we haven’t even seen who the best ones are yet…so all those guys that you think deserve to be on the list but haven’t popped up yet are probably gonna show up soon. Also, note the original disclaimer: You WILL get mad. So how about we all just accept that Adam Jones takes shit that sounds better than what most people can play.

  • Lou

    List=FAIL

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Shaun-Reeves/100000774753955 Shaun Reeves

    Ha too all the people complaining, this is a great list. It’s a completely unbiased assortment of guitarists who aren’t just amazing shredders like just about every other top metal guitarist list, but who are also amazing songwriters and forward thinkers. I’m not a fan of all these bands and there are guitarists who probably won’t be on this list who I think should be, but everyone has different tastes and these have been very well balanced and thought out choices so far.

    • PrEtTyLuSh05

      +1 My thoughts exactly

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ryan-Sean-Heron/9391234 Ryan Sean Heron

    even though he’s one of the greatest guitarists in rock history, Zakk wylde almost definitely won’t be on this list for the simple fact that the metalsucks staff are wayy too hipster to acknowledge his greatness.

    • Liz Lemon

      Or could be that Zakk definitely isn’t modern. But from the previous picks that clearly doesn’t matter. I’m calling it first; (pentatonic scales be damned!) Zakk will check in at number 11.

    • http://www.metalsucks.net Vince Neilstein

      LOL at you obviously not reading the approximately 600 “Zakk Wylde is God” posts during the first year of this site’s existence!

      -VN

    • cougar party

      Ryan, Zakk wrote some fucking awesome riffs and can shred like a beast, but let’s be honest. He hasn’t done anything worth note in the last 5-10 years.

  • Poopenshaft

    bad list is bad

  • JesTheAlmighty

    Actually, he was on Isis’ album Wavering Radiant which was released 2009

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Joe-Rull/41500239 Joe Rull

      boom headshot

  • MetalRod

    Who the hell is “Tool”?

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dustin-French/1320488685 Dustin French

      Ignorance is bliss, my friend.

  • Joe

    Lakers forgot to show up for the Mavs series this year.

    • http://hipstersoutofmetal.blogspot.com/ Anso DF

      SIGH

      • KG

        Heat be damned, LA bitches still have one less banner than Boston.

        Go Cs.

        Go Tool.

  • jd091

    Mick Barr better be on this list, or I will destroy some kittens.

    • http://myspace.com/duckbillz Duck Billz

      Seconded. Also, Luc Lemay.

  • Sean

    It seems a lot of people are confusing the term modern with young or recent. So if a guitarist was around in the 90s or even 80s all of a sudden they are old or considered classic or even non relevant now? Seems like people want a list of who the talented young guitarists in the new bands are instead. All of the bands listed so far are relevant in the metal scene (depending on how you classify Living Color, they may the be one exception).

    Obviously this list isn’t simply about who the most bad ass shredder is. Its a compilation of style, influence, song writing, talent, etc. The only one I find questionable so far is Vernon Reid but only cause I don’t really think of metal when I think of him and/or Living Color, regardless of classification the dude is talented.

  • msv81

    Nice to see Adam on the list but he needs to be higher up. Top 10 for sure.

  • lost goat

    look you dummyheads-

    modern in this case,in the definition of THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THIS DAMN THING UP AND MADE THE PICKS- means a guitarist who is making music in the modern day,not because they just came out in the last few years

    whos to say what modern is? maybe your favorite sideways parted hair,girls pants wearing,skronky,djent,boringass stop-start-stop-wank-widdle dee guitarist only started 3 years ago,and anything older than that to you is “old” and not “modern”

    the people on this list are still making music,so shutup and quit whining…sheesh

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Cory-John-William-Kamermans/505609811 Cory John William Kamermans

    man you are whiny ever think your opinions don’t matter? do you have a metal blog…? no? then shut the fuck up.

  • CJ

    I AM SO GODDAMN ANGRY I COULD

    wait I don’t actually have any problems with this one

    nvm

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ryan-Sean-Heron/9391234 Ryan Sean Heron

    this list may be metalsuck’s most epic fail of all time. not for the people selected to it but for the criteria. i know you set the criteria as guitarists who are recently active, but if you wanted to do a “modern” guitarist list you should have excluded guys that have been around for 20 + years and have been talked about forever. shoulda focused on up and comers.

  • alex

    I actually find the list quite interesting and informative.

  • lost goat

    this list shouldve been called “top hard rock guitarists of the modern age”

    then it wouldnt matter,because modern age is kinda from 80s onward

    because while having a couple metal looking devils in the graphic would exclude people like living colour,it would also logically exclude alot of these djent guitarists people are all bitching about being included- since that shit isnt anywhere close to devils holding guitars metal either

    • alex

      Shitloads of metal has nothing to do with the devil. And the stuff that does is universally shit

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jesse-James-Jardine/865565500 Jesse James Jardine

    wow why dont you just fucking blow the guy as your interview, i see no explanation of what makes this guy good, fuck off

    • Yeah

      You don’t see an explanation? Try learning to read, you dumb asshole.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Robson/1375985482 Ben Robson

    good player for sure. dunno if i would have placed him in a top 25 list, but he does a lot of cool stuff that tends to get ignored because it’s not super technical or because the guitar is never a huge focus in Tool’s songs. There’s a lot of subtlety in his playing.

  • dwarfucker

    Jones is a better writer and has better instinct than most musicians. Genius music has come from his mind as far as I know.

  • a;sdlfkj

    tool is not metal… and he is not top 25 GUITARIST material here. i think they must have forgotten that they named it top 25 modern metal GUITARISTS… and confused it with top 25 MUSICIANS who play guitar. they’ve got some good picks on here but they can just go fuck themselves on this one.

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      10000000

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Harper-Lewis/100001748263922 Harper Lewis

    whatever adam jones can do, aaron turner does better, i really feel he’s furthered the ideas jones may have laid down, but oh well, c’est la vie.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Joe-Rull/41500239 Joe Rull

      That’s debatable, but I can see your argument. The thing that you need to realize when comparing them is Jones does indeed take a backseat to both Carey, and Chancellor. Yes his guitar is prominent but it’s also not at the same time if that makes sense. He allows the other instruments to have their own life and own “say” in the music, which is something that while Isis and Aaron Turner did do, I personally felt they never achieved that perfect balance that Tool has regarding that. Again, personal opinion.

      I think we can both agree that it’s a shame Isis called it quits.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Harper-Lewis/100001748263922 Harper Lewis

        i understand what you mean, i just feel aaron turner is undoubtedly influenced by adam jones’ playing, but did a bit more with it. now don’t get me wrong i love adam jones, but i think turner’s playing is slightly more dynamic and technical which is why i prefer it. but to prefer the one is not to negate the other. i just felt jones’ playing is a bit more predicatable as he pretty much always plays the same key (d minor?) and stick to the the same shapes and chords. but i still love the guy and he’s influenced my own playing a shit load more than most other guitarists i like.

        i was just complaining cause i figure that now the list won’t have aaron turner cause it has this guy, but i could be pleasantly wrong.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tyler-Harris/1428087632 Tyler Harris

    I lay money down right now that Clint Lowery gets into the top 15.

  • Joe

    I think Tool is only good if you are on something. Otherwise it is droney artsy crap.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Charles-Conover/1008254459 Charles Conover

      (needs better audio equipment)

  • freefuckinbird

    Just throwing this out there…. if they include any ‘shredders’ on this list [malmsteen.... /sigh] then this list truly is bullshit. I declare Tosin Abasi to be #1. I wouldn’t call him a shredder… but a fucking artist, a modern metal guitarist.

    • eMeyer

      well…they already pretty much went out and said that tosin is not #1. A couple fridays ago they said that no one had guessed who the number 1 guitarist would be. So many had said tosin at that point so that rules him out. i cant see putting him at 1 anyway after only 1 album. What if all he can come up with is the same as the self titled? i know he has that side project thing but thats not metal. i think he’s good and will do great things but we just dont know yet.

  • yzermantiis

    These are some random fuckin picks man. looking forward to the rest. JB from Grand Magus FTW!!!

  • Mordecai 9000

    Where Jones really shines is the fact that his guitar parts perfectly compliment the rest of the band, moreso than many other guitarists.

  • Slaughterhouse

    I am pleased with this entry, however, Im not sure I would state that Adam Jones is in a metal band as Tool has always been, at least to me, Progressive Rock.

  • Eric

    Fuck the Metalsucks fanbase… I guess that includes myself, but I feel like everyone here is looking for the end all list to fulfill their own preferences. I on the other hand am enjoying this list because I REALIZE that it is the opinion of the writers, and then I compare it with my own. All of you fucks complain way too goddamn much.

    • Slaughterhouse

      Couldn’t have said it better

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Erik-Nowak/1002131521 Erik Nowak

    …and so, Anso remains one of my favorite writers of…well, anything. Ever.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ian-Verdugo/1128951014 Ian Verdugo

    Tool is the greatest living band in their prime on earth. Fuck off haterz, see them live and they will change your life.

  • madne0

    Great guitarist.

    Not metal though.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dustin-French/1320488685 Dustin French

    Five years is five years. Muhammed Suicmez has every right to be on this list if Adam Jones does.

    I’m not complaining about Mr. Jones’s skills as a guitarist, but … well, five years is five years. I don’t care if the album was released five years and ten minutes ago, versus seven years ago (Epitaph).

    Play by your own rules, MS!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Seosamh-Toms--Mothair/1427873942 Seosamh Tomás Ó Mothair

    Haha quit complaining! Adam Jones is a beast. Personally, I think he could be higher up on the list, but I’m satisfied with this spot. It seems that many of you are throwing shredders and highly technical players to the fore of your attention, but the fact remains that Adam Jones has played some of the most passionate, energetic guitar parts in the history of the instrument. Sometimes he solos (check out the second half of the 10,000 Days title track) and when he does, he does a spectacular job of it; sometimes he does rhythm and lets someone else take the fore for a section of the piece, and when he does that he still sounds great; sometimes he just totally blends in to create something atmospherically incredible. All in all, he’s not a guitarist, he’s a damned MUSICIAN. Guitarists tend to have egos that can only be satiated by maximum solotime. Musicians do what they can for the good of the project and the piece as a whole.

    Also, anyone who thinks that Jones can’t write obviously hasn’t truly listened to Tool. I’ve got some music theory under my belt and a lot of what Tool comes up with is 20 times more complex all-around than that band that just has 15 minutes of throwing sound in your face.

    And finally, I’m sick of people thinking Tool isn’t Metal. Go listen to ‘Vicarious’ or ‘Pushit’ or ‘Parabola’. Go check out ‘Right in Two’ and tell me that the way that song climaxes isn’t one of the most epic moments in Metal.

    Tool is a modern band, through and through.

    You guys are entitled to your own opinion, but please present it intelligently… half of you sound like idiots. It can be difficult to hear what you’re saying – instead I only hear how you’re saying it, and it’s pathetic.

  • enemyofgod72

    Thank you for recognizing a guitarist that most would not since Tool has never done a real “solo”. What Adam provides atmospherically is essential to creating the Tool sound. I’ve never seen anyone else acknowledge Adam on a list like this so thank you for having the sense to include artists who create a mood and feel with sometimes very simple riffs.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jamel-Banner/731572742 Jamel Banner

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7A1cMfl0Xc&feature=related

    @ 2:36

    Good Job….putting the man who said that on your list of metal guitarists

  • cam

    Yeah great choice obviously different to a fast shredder but a very skilled musician just look at the amount of songs written..recording can often involve more subtle layering and sometime less is more he gives a lot of space to Danny Carey who is obviously unique drummer.. has great theory knowledge and creates interesting sounds and effects on some tracks to..great player very deserving to be on this list..good playing isnt always uber solos

  • Omar

    Comparing him to Alex Lifeson is the stupidest thing ever, there’s similarities but you may as well compare Yngwie Malmsteen to Steve Vai. I like Adam Jones, but you guys did an awful job of listing the reasons why.

  • cam

    how about he just writes great music…doesnt try to show how big his balls are ..just writes GOOD music

    • Omar

      Yeah, I love Adam Jones and Tool. He’s a fantastic musician, he’s sort of the anti-guitar hero. I love all of Tool’s stuff.

      • cam

        yeah same ..i like different stuff ..good post metal but TOOL just so good.. whole band awesome ..adams great ….u dont need to be an uber hotshot to write great music.. =)