It's entirely possible that a hardcore fan will hate ATS because what made them the "hardcore' fan originally is likely just not present in the new album.
You can appreciate what the band are doing and the ethics behind it, but you can't put ethics onto your ipod and rock out to it.
The band are purposely trying not to sound like Linkin Park, hardcore fans are hardcore fans because they like Linkin Park over other bands. Now LP has become an other band, your going have to decide all over again. Almost like listening to a new band for the first time.
I don't get how people say this album is for hardcore fans, i think it's the hardcore fan base that might be a little bit more split, the casual listener is either going to listen to it or not, either way they won't care too much.