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✦✦✦✧ The band’s previous album Vector had me worried, but somehow the band correct for past sins here, without abandoning their trademark accessible eccentricity. Indeed, the band continue to wear their influences on their sleeves (Dream Theater, Devin Townsend, Leprous, SikTh, Karnivool, Porcupine Tree, Tool) while also managing to surprise and delight. This is a polished and enjoyable album, with solid musicianship throughout, and very little fat or filler. Also, herein, the band also set out to finally answer the question that apparently people ask, “Who is the Cockroach King?” (presumably, by folks who have not been paying attention to world politics of late). Definitely one of the best prog metal albums of 2020, and one of the best of the band’s career.

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