SPOILER ALERT
I got a copy from my friend early and I have listened this now a few days
Just loving what I hear. It's interesting how there's so dark heavy songs but then few happy songs and few mellow songs. Really big variety I think. Hopefully this will raise your hype!
affinity.exe = interesting nugget for somebody who wants to translate the morse code on the background, I have feeling it could mean something funny! But yeah, nothing more in that track, just "intro" for the album.
Initiate = I like how they use that intro rhythm later on Bound By Gravity and the chorus on The Architect. This song have raised but it's just somewhere in the middle on my rankings. That heavy interlude is kicking so much my ass
1985 = Damn those 80's sounds and synth drums!! Maybe one of my favorites of the album. That Rudess-style keyboard at the beginning is really cool. The chorus is cool, not the strongest one but liking it a lot! But that 80's synth interlude is
Really strong track and I really like to see this live!
Lapse = Positive vibes, nice song with catchy chorus but not in my faves. Funky synth solo is quite cool though.
The Architect = Really complex was my first thought. This has everything. If you're trying to air drumming this (at least the intro), you will fail.The chorus is the best one, strong and huge and in my mind all the time! Interesting Opeth-part before Einar's part. I first thought it's Ihsahn screaming but well, Einar has his influences
Initiate chorus at the end is majestic. I know this song will be raising on my list, it's just too complex for me for now
Earthrise = Another positive song with double bass and 7-string. It's really awesome that they can make this kind of uplifting songs with 7-string! Chorus is great and there are a lot of nice elements here. That part at the 4 minute mark reminds me of Coldplay, really meldic song overall!
Red Giant = Quite strange song, first time I waited when the song is starting properly but it is not going to fly in any place. I would have liked a little stronger, huge chorus but this left me a little cold.
The Endless Knot = When I first heard this single, I really liked it. Now I like it even more in the context of album. One of my favorites of album. Dupstep part is the highlight. A strong raiser on my rankings.
Bound By Gravity = Became a skip track sadly really fast. Mellow song. I like the "is this the life..." backing vocals and last verse with Initiate rhythms and majestic ending. But still a bit boring I could say.