"[24] Paste gave it 8.2 out of ten and called it "some of the most densely constructed art-rock you're likely to hear all year, which only makes the quick process even more impressive.

"[22] Alternative Press also gave it four stars out of five and said the album "hits a full-on prog rock pose with seamless transitions, classical movement structures and lunar background flourishes scraping the Dark Side Of The Moon.

"[27] Paul Thompson of Pitchfork Media said: "Tao of the Dead does feel, in its songs and structure alike, like the first post-Source Tags record not cooled in the giant shadow of their decade-old triumph; more patient, more potent, more dynamic, less overloaded..."[15] NME gave it a score of seven out of ten and said of the songs, "Sounding as vital as they ever have seven LPs down the track, there's life in them yet.

After years out in the cold as music critic whipping posts, this should go a long way toward reclaiming some lost luster for Trail of Dead.

"[29] Consequence of Sound also gave it three-and-a-half stars out of five and stated, "It's important to have moments like this in a concept album that's meant to be taken as one massive 52-minute expression; doing so gives the listener a break and focuses on momentary satisfactions in order to properly digest this cornucopia of solid rock goodness.

"[30] Filter gave it a score of 70% and stated that "while bombastic and ambitious as ever, Tao suggests that Trail of Dead have once again lost the taste for subtlety and texture that’s past served to elevate their sound from the prog pack.

"[32] Uncut also gave it three stars and stated that "Despite the epic pretensions of the 16-minute finale, 'Tao Of The Dead Part Two", sadly, this sort of tribute to rock's historical hinterlands yields fewer surprises each time.

"[33] Now gave it three stars out of five and said it was "such a cohesive record that when the second track, Pure Radio Cosplay, is reprised midway through, it seems like the end of an intense musical detour rather than a simple replaying of the song.

"[35] Slant Magazine only gave it two stars out of five and stated, "I can't imagine why anyone would want to hear another half-hour of this crap, but if you've got brain cells to spare after Tao of the Dead's wonky, caterwauling sendoff, then by all means, put on your +2 Boots of Moshing and get to it!