This is almost certainly the first part of a two-part final release

[Nick66]

It's not vague at all. They have announced the 4 bonus tracks. The only vagueness is how many acoustic tracks, 5 or 7. That's it.

If they did drop SOE on 13 October, it would be totally independent of SOI.

On that note though, I don't think it would be a stupid move at all. They've basically resigned this album to poor charting because of the release methodology. They don't care. They are well aware if the boost the back catalogue has received, and they will take that to mean new fans. It wouldn't be the stupidest thing, maybe in November, to say - following the free album, here is part 2 - ride the wave and get the buzz churning. They won't though.

 

[DomCobb]

The reason they won't is because they say that the SOI physical release is for sure in October, but the release of SOE is the more nebulous some time in the future.