I assumed the material may have a somewhat different subject matter or drop some of the underlying philosophy present in The Church.

No. It's a different shadow cast by the multi-dimensional hypercube in differently polarized light. Different emanation of the same source.

And it's magnificent. Oh, it is holy.

Magick is, in fact, real. There are things worth caring about. There are those who survive despite the odds and the obstacles. And the reasonable, rational rules break down if you care to notice. The music can show you how.

It isn't as though the band has walked away from who they are or fundamentally changed. But there is a kind of gloss and airiness to the songs on this album that is very, very different than their other work. It's a bit hard to express what I mean.

Additionally, the technical skill of these musicians is far more obvious here.

I love it. Oh my Morningstar, I absolutely love it.

Not more than the last works, but just as much and differently.

No recording captures the live experience. This applies doubly or triply for this band. Go see them live before you decide how you feel about what they can do.

I have only had the privilege once so far. I don't expect that will be true for long.

This album is a change, not a degradation. The composition style on this only somewhat follows the usual GBY!BE formula. It is more subtle this time, with good effect. This is famously panned by such critics as Anthony Fantano for this reason only. Of course, listen first before you buy. But listen to it for itself and without preconceptions. Then it makes sense. All that having been said, the material is even more impactful live. Go see a live show first is my advice.

Mladic is an amazing track. This entire album could be nothing but takes of that one song and it would still be a classic.

And I'm privileged to have heard the song live. It is powerful on recording. It is a terrifying transcendental experience live. SEE THEM LIVE AT ANY COST.

That having been said, the rest of the album is explosive too.

The irony of the band lives on several levels, what with the anachronism of their archaic instrumentation and presentation and the prescience of the subject matter. Retro-futuristic indeed. It's just really great music in an age of cut/copy/paste/autotune. Sometimes, you really do have to take a step back to move forward. Sometimes, less really is much more. And sometimes a pentagram really does bring the room together.