So some quick thoughts on the album, keeping in mind this is just after one listen:
-The two singles are still just "meh" songs.
-False Awakening Suite shouldn't be called a suite if its only 3 minutes, and its just okay.
-The beginning and end of "Enigma Machine" sounds a lot like "Mountain" by Devin Townsend. I liked the song though so I don't mind too much.
-The Looking Glass sounds a lot like a band inspired by WDADU/early 90s Dream Theater and it doesn't quite translate.
-Songs like Behind the Veil, Surrender to Reason, and parts of Illumination Theory sound like post-Brave New World Iron Maiden, especially in the verses. Think of songs like "Paschendale" or "For the Greater Good of God." This isn't bad, per se, its just something that sounded familiar and it hit me later on.
-That being said Surrender to Reason is one of the most intriguing songs on the album and shows a lot of promise for repeat listens.
-Illumination Theory is probably my favorite song on the album. I was actually getting pretty into it while the rest of the album kinda held me at arm's length for some reason. After that its probably Enigma Machine and then I'll need more listens to fully digest the rest.
Overall? Its an okay album. They've written much worse material, but they've also written a lot of much better material. I admit it will probably need more listens, but after I was blown away by ADTOE (and still enjoy it! Which I can't say about SC or BC&SL nowadays) this is a disappointing album. There's not much here that really excites me. I'd place it just above my bottom three of SC, WDADU, and ToT. Maybe above BC&SL too, not sure yet.