I think BC&SL is better than SC, I like it a lot more than others do as well. It seems like the entire album gets tons of hate because of 30 seconds in the first track, which is a little hyperbolic, but somewhat true.
That is not why the entire album gets tons of hate.
And I don't think "hate" is the right word anyway. There are definitely many DT fans who were disappointed with the album, or who rank it fairly low (as do I). But "hate" is not a word that I use very much in DT-land, except for Raw Dog, which I find repulsive on both a physical and metaphysical level.
Putting aside whether "hate" is or isn't the appropriate word, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone basis an opinion about BC&SL solely because the growly vocals in ANTR. For me, it's pretty simple:
1. ANTR is bloated. It has some good parts and, maybe, if it were condensed down to 9-10 minutes, I'd like it better.
2. AROP is band as heck.
3. Wither is an excellent song in all respects.
4. TSF is ok, but it's (understandably) redundant of the previous songs in the 12SS, one of which I regard as the single worst song in DT's catalog.
5. TBOT is just dull as heck. I appreciate and have no problem with what MP was doing with the lyrics, but that doesn't mean I like the song. I also don't get all the gaga over the guitar solo.
6. TCOT is good but not great. The intro and end are excellent, but the verses aren't great, and the long continuum break is only slightly more tolerable than the intro to 8VM.
When the best song on a DT album is a 5 1/2 minute "ballad," then the album is in trouble.