In Animals As Leaders, we usually aggressive polyrhythms as base, often about lyrical melodies and fast-paced, expressive, but rather short and not so technically-narcissistic guitar solos. There are also very frequent variations, so that the longer pieces act extremely varied. And often minimalist elements are interspersed, ie short phrases that are repeated for a certain period of time repeatedly. One should in any case like tricky rhythms.
This album is the average of the emotional variety "hard and heavy", but goes beyond the boundaries of today usual rock and metal categories effortlessly; therefore appropriate comparisons are often very misleading. It continues, transmitted through many intermediate stations at the present time and technically and musically evolved accordingly, which in the early 70's John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra and, for example, Billy Cobham and Jan Hammer own fusion formations have begun in the harder pieces.
The album is one of the most original works that I've heard in the past about 50 years, and has quite a few people around me - old cross - just as the pedestal carved like me.
Tip for active musicians: Also suitable for counting exercises. ;-)
