I see the same responses to this album everywhere
People post a message after hearing it for the first time: "Yeah, it's OK"
Then a couple of days later after a few more spins: "Wow, this thing is pretty great!"
A week after that: "OMFGTHISISAMAZING!!!11!!"
This album is the poster child for the validity of PapaJim's famous PRAT or Prog Rock Acid Test. Any prog album worth listening to will require multiple listens to fully appreciate it. In most cases I'd consider 5 full spins to be a solid PRAT.
So, with that said, after subjecting this album to the PRAT, I'm giving it 4.5 stars (on a 5 point scale)
Essential album for serious prog metal fans.
For those wondering about the vocals - they're predominantly clean. Just a few grunts and growls here and there.