FtLoAatM isn't really related conceptually to the other albums, so you're not missing out on much in that sense. One thing about that disc though, is that it's not only intended to work straight through, but also meant to be listened to on shuffle play...but I've never been sure if Finn had one particular alternate track order in mind for it.
I think I'm the only one from Shroud who's actually from VA, having grown up and gone through my entire grade school "career" there. I came up to Boston for college (Berklee College of Music) and stuck around afterward because of work contacts, friends, and a previous band.
And yes, Jaxx is in Fairfax County...West Springfield, to be exact. About 35 minutes' drive from my parents' house, so that's where I've seen most of the metal shows I've gone to in that area. I even drove down there to see PaganFest USA in 2008 in part because I'm not a big fan of the Palladium, and Jaxx being my "home" club, I like it a good bit more...plus I have lots of friends down there still.