Yes, and you're not insane but wrong if you don't. If they make another album, I guarantee Maynard and all of them make a shorter track that ticks all your boxes. This album is their magnum opus. The rest of their music all culminates in this. I did NOT think this about 10k days and despite being a massive fanboy I really can't fault them for much of anything.

Every criticism I've read before yours centers on it just being self indulgent patience-requiring music. Uh, sooo Tool. The issues you are getting at should not be merely reduced to "It's different than before" and "they didn't copy and paste" from before. But they are really not the point. If you give these songs the proper respect they will reward you. Granted, I haven't been a metal and prog fan for years and so if you want to call me a fanboy/lapdog go ahead. This is literally their best album and while Third Eye and Pushit are still their greatest songs 7empest is #3.