It has a bit of an alternate metal feel to parts of it, thats what I immediately noticed, I heard it and I was like, thats rock straight away and I liked that, then the album simmered down to a kind of mellowish prog vibe before picking up again. That is what I have always liked about Porcupine Tree... they dont hack at the same riffs or the same ideas, they keep their music varied and interesting to listen to.
As far as the release date goes, it came out on the 16th in the U.K and Europe and was set to hit Japan and America on the 24th. Living in Australia when it comes to music we tend to get releases from both America and Europe depending on individual stores suppliers so I got it on the 16th release.