Wow. I really didn't know what to expect, but I was still anxious in my anticipation. This was the first DT album I've actually been waiting for as a fan. I think some of the parts are just incredible
. It has definitely grown on me.
1. ANtR: At first, I loved the intro but didn't like the vocals. Listened to the instrumental version many times, and liked the 'restrained' feel of it, as it was obviously not originally an instrumental. After many listens though, it has definitely grown on me. Killer intro! Love thunder (seems DT does too!), love eerie piano playing, love powerful dark chords, love that kind of double bass drumming, love that intro! And I love the softer section, one of the best parts of the album
. Love the jazzy keyboard in the background of this part (at 5:39 especially). Lyrics reminded me of Octavarium. At first, this bothered me, but now I like it, and I love the 'hopelessly drifting' part, amazing
. The solos are yet to do anything for me, though. I do however love 10:40 (is that a unison or just guitar?) until the MP bit. MP vocals part flows well, but is unsuitable I think. As for the roar, I'd prefer some death growls instead! Love the following instrumental section though. I think the blast beats are well suited, though at first I was a little stunned (the drumming in this song was a big surprise for me). Good outro.
This song has parts that I absolutely love, and parts that I don't like so much. Overall though, the former wins by far
2. ARoP: It has grown on me since it was first released. I don't like the prechorus, but the rest of the vocals are good I think. Love the arpeggios or whatever JP is playing in the second verse, makes it for me. The transition to the instrumental section sounds overused (haven't heard it in a while, but it did remind me of Ytse Jam for some reason, though I love the Jam). I love the guitar solo now, though I didn't at first. Especially when the background playing is switched up. First part of the keyboard solo is quite good, first part of the bebot solo I don't mind; the second part I used to really hate, but now I don't mind it. The transition to the chorus is still jarring, but it's getting better with time. Good outro.
There are parts that I like, and others that aren't as good. Overall, it's alright. Doesn't touch the riffage in CM though
3. Wither: This is the song I've heard the least, so far. At first it didn't really do anything for me. It still doesn't really, but it's better than some other similar DT songs. I've never been interested in these songs though. Great soft section and solo.
Not my type of song, though I don't mind it at all. Better than everything on the radio.
4. TSF: At first, I found this to be a little jumbled up, and just a compilation of riffs from the previous AA songs. Now I like this much than before. God I love the TDS guitar motif at 1:38. Lyrics here bothered me: "But now I have finally seen the light" "I've lived with serenity now, not self-righteous hate", sounded a bit mashed together for rhyming effect. The epic long JR solo didn't really do anything for me (unlike some of the others in the AA set), or at least, nothing yet. I'm still undecided on the softer section; the deep voice bothers me a bit, like it did in Repentance. The second half of guitar solo is just brilliant, and the section that follows ("I am responsible ...") is just awesome. Great use of the TDS motifs. I don't like the 'whoooaaawooo' bit, but the TGP outro is perfect as I'm sure everyone would agree.
A song which is growing on me. I love the final minutes, and the rest of the song is good too.
5. TBoT: At first, I couldn't stand it because of that overused chordal progression (don't know what it's from, but I'm not a fan). It's growing on me slowly, and I can almost get past that now. The sad/happy contrasting in the song was very fitting to the lyrical themes, I thought. But I just
love the darker, ominous part at 5:46 ("But then came the call..."), if only for the first few seconds. Reminded me of Finally Free for a split second. My favourite part of the song (yes I'm obsessed with dark, minor-key music). The softer, acoustic/piano section is beautiful, and the lyrics are very fitting. Luckily, I can appreciate JP's solo despite the chords he's playing over. Great outro especially.
A beautiful song if you can get past that old chord progression, and even more so if you love that. I like the song.
6. TCoT: At first, I loved this song. Now I love it even more, and it's only grown on me over many listens. I can hardly fault it. At first, the lyrics bothered me (must be some badass historian!) but now I actually think that they're very good, in contrast to most opinions in this thread. Perhaps not always the particular prose, but the subject of the song doesn't bother me at all. JLB's singing does help, however. I especially love the intro, the keyboards at 2:37, almost all of JLB's vocals over the badass guitars and tasteful keyboard-work. I love the JLB+MP vocals. And the chorus! Best chorus on the album, and in a long time. Only possible issue is that it's very similar (with the big 'I') to Slipknot - Before I Forget, which was one of my favourite songs years ago, before my musical enlightenment began. Very cool, chill-out section, similar to the continuum intro in Octavarium but more relaxed. Love the use of the melody which will be used at the end. Beautiful acoustic section, however this is the one place I do actually have a small problem with the lyrics: "Is this the way I die?" "What did I do wrong? I just don't understand". I'm not sure if it's the way it's sung, or the lyrics themselves. And "I'll tell you once again". On the whole, it's not a big deal though, the music more than makes up for it if there really is an issue (or it's my imagination). Love the little guitar solo, and the 'whooa' section. Epic, fitting, and beautiful. Wonderful outro.
The best song on the album, and is up there with the best of the best DT songs. It's up there with ITNOG, Finally Free, and Octavarium, for the JR era of DT.
Wow that took a long time to write. I listened to the songs while writing about them. Now it's gone back to ANtR
I'd give this a 4/5 I think, overall.