The amount of work put into this review is fantastic. Look forward to reading more posts.
I try to make a point to watch anything involving Gen Urobuchi and was not disappointed by this installment. I would personally put it below Fate/Zero & Madoka on his list of works, but I'm admittedly biased to anything Yuki Kaijura composes (I know she/Kalafina did the opening making this a no brainier to watch for me!) Your information on Sawano is really remarkable though, enough so that I'm gonna have to give the OST another run through. As polarizing as Guilty Crown was, he honestly made it redeemable in my eyes so perhaps my bias is changing :P
I also appreciate you pointing out the 'flaws' like you did. I was hooked after the first episode (may have something to do with nuking New Orleans) and was so pumped for the rest of the series, but it didn't quite maintain that level of grandeur I was hoping for. I think Gen also has the reputation of putting out strong season 1s and then falling off a bit (ie Psychopass) and I don't think this was an exception to that. Overall through, an anime worth a binge and a review worth more than a single read through :)
RE: Why and How you should watch Aldnoah.Zero: Review + Analysis + Love letter and personal thoughts