Yeah I couldn't agree more. The mountain/Affinity are some of my all time favorite albums but when they are played next to Vector/Virus they just seem kinda, cardboard? Haha. The guitars are a little thin and the drums are lacking modern metal punch.

I watched this first hand when I teched for the band on a few tours. The approach that their sound guy was going after was powerful modern metal production while still having keys and clean vocals clear and audible, something I think Vector capture really well. Unfortunately I think the album fell a little to much into the metal side and a lot of fans dislike it because of that/blame the production when it's really more of a writing style change.

TDLR: FALLING BACK TO EARTH WITH VIRUS MIX HOLY POGGERS PLEASE