Last night I heard Vector and Virus back-to-back for the first time, I hadn't heard anything from either albums before this and I think they absolutely made the right choice by not making this a double album, it's really overwhelming. And after I was done I couldn't honestly recall one memorable riff or melody, it was just too much, even though I enjoyed the music while listening.
One listen isn't enough to be sure about this but I kinda feel like I get what people mean when comparing this to SC/BC&SL. Haken's first two albums sounded like they were inspired by SFAM stylistically, then The Mountain transcended anything DT has ever done IMO so the comparison dropped.
I wouldn't say Vector & Virus are similar stylistically to SC/BC&SL in particular, but pretty much a mishmash of all post-SFAM/pre-ADTOE albums, not very concrete on it, need more listens, but even if that view stands; I don't see it as a bad thing per se.
I haven't heard Affinity yet.
I don't think I'll re-listen to Vector/Virus right away, or anytime soon for that matter, another side effect from listening to them back to back.