Earshot’s vocalist Wil Martin addressed the long-standing comparisons between his band and Tool in a recent interview with YouTube.
“Back in the early ’90s when they came out, when ‘Undertow’ came out, I f*cking loved that record — as did millions of people,” Martin said. “It was just such a raw, gritty, dark — but dark in a different way than everything that was happening at that time.”
“In those days, that record rarely came out of my CD player, along with all the other stuff I was listening to — Stone Temple Pilots, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Nine Inch Nails,” he continued. “That was a time for music, and Tool was one of the bands everyone was listening to.”
“No one else was doing what they were doing, the way they were doing it at that time. Cut to moving forward throughout the years — they sort of started to lose me,” he added.
Martin shared his evolving perspective on Tool’s music: “Not because I didn’t like the band, but because their music became more of a commitment to listen to. The song lengths, the different parts… I’m more of a song guy. I like things that are a little easier to digest; I don’t want to have to think so much all the time. That said, I still appreciate what they do — a lot of what they do is really artistic.”
“So, were they an influence? I’d say their early records probably had just as much influence on me as all the other bands I was listening to back then,” he stated. “I was never offended by the comparison. In the beginning, I was a little off-put by it, only because as an artist, we want to be identified as our own thing. It became such a focal point at the time, and I was resistant to it. But I came to understand that most people actually meant it as a compliment. Sure, some people mean it as a dig, but by and large, it was praise.”
Martin’s recent comments provide context to a comparison that has followed the band throughout their career.
Ultimate Metal noted that the Tool comparisons emerged with Earshot’s debut album ‘Letting Go.’ Critics and fans recognized similarities in sound and vocal style, though Earshot maintained a more mainstream approach.
Sputnik Music documented how the band’s subsequent releases, including ‘Two’ and ‘The Silver Lining,’ continued to draw Tool comparisons. These parallels stemmed primarily from Martin’s distinctive vocal style and the band’s heavy, alternative sound.
The band’s musical journey has remained quiet in recent years. Their last major release came in 2015 with the ‘Aftermath EP,’ which blended various styles from their previous albums.
Research from Sputnik Music revealed that despite their current low profile, Earshot’s legacy remains intertwined with their earlier work. Martin’s recent statements directly confront these persistent Tool comparisons.
