Since the last album was very guitar based in comparison to most other albums, I predict they will continue in that direction. Only this time it will be darker. There will be more raw sounding riffs that will be more hard hitting and to the point, for DT at least ;p.
Im not saying it will be Awake part 2, I don't see them ever doing something that raw or dark again, but it will be more riff-ey like Awake except polished. Labrie won't sing so softly this time. His voice will have more rasp but other than that he won't challenge himself or do anything as impressive as he did on Awake or I&W.
I consider there to be two categories for DT albums: the albums like I&W and the albums like Awake.
Albums like I&W: SFAM, ADToE, Systematic Chaos to name a few
Albums !like Awake: 8vM, FII, Dt12, ToT to name a few....
Yea I know, but its how my mind works....
I predict their next album to fall Into the Awake category. Most songs will be between 4 and 7 minutes, with no songs longer then 9 minutes. There also won't be so much keyboard wankery. JR will p!ay more for mood and atmosphere.