So you had a preconceived notion based on nothing related to the music or the band, but the amount of songs...
Honestly, I can understand where he is coming from on that in that specific context. We had gotten a single and were probably going to get another single before the album dropped (which we did). And then there was going to be a 12SS song. Some fans were burned out on the 12SS by then. And even among those that weren't, among many, I think the excitement of getting the final installment was tempered with a feeling of being "ready" for it to be done with and the expectation that it would largely feel and sound very familiar, given what came before. So I think it is easy to have gone in thinking, "man, with only six songs, that'll only be 3 that feel "new" and "fresh" once I get the album in my hands. And if I don't like 1 of them, that's only 2 that I'll enjoy." I'm a huge fan, and even I felt a little bit of that. So, yeah, while it's silly to draw any firm conclusions from things like number of songs, song lengths, etc., I don't think what Kowtow is saying is off base.
I get it.
Even if he didn't listen to the singles, who knows if he would've enjoyed the songs more once he has the album in his hands.
Contrary to most, I actually like how The Shattered Fortress uses those call-backs, and repeated themes. I was also ready for it to be done, and wondered how it would end. My curiosity was eh, at first, but the more I listened to the music and the lyrics, and then listened to it in relation to the entire 12-Step Suite, the more I grew fond of the composition of The Shattered Fortress.
I could go on about The Shattered Fortress and it's themes in relation to the other 12-step songs.
I think I am actually excited for the lyrics of this album. The Alien's lyrics are great, and even if they are by JLB, I still am interested in hearing how JP and JM lyrics are in relation to this grand theme the album seems to have by the way of the Artwork, Title, and the track-titles.