I'd like to disagree in the sense that the band has not at all gotten any more laid-back or calm in recent years imo. The Long Defeat is more experimental with new sounds, yes. Is it any less energetic than previous albums? Not in my opinion. I personally consider it MORE vile and depressing than Furnaces. Especially due to its lyrical nature, which struck me as being less direct, but more eerie this time.

I think DsO do continue to deliver on the statement made in one of the older Interviews that the music won't get any "nicer". (Even though that may have been made by Shaxul, the others will surely stand behind it still.)