random, unorganized first thoughts
Shepherd of Fire: very straight forward. nothing really memorable. drums aren't much more advanced than HTTK
HTTK: no thanks
Doing Time: this song is what Axl wishes guns n' roses could still sound like
This Means War: sick riff, slow and powerful. this is a song where the simple drum beat doesn't bother me.
Requiem: intro sounds like Star Wars ep 1 lightsaber fight song. another slow banger.
Crimson Day: Gotta get that ballad in there. nothing really sticking on first listen. but it's nice to listen to
Heretic: Another rocker. im getting too focused on the drums, doesn't seem like they will ever be more than straightforward rock beats. this song reminds me the most of older A7X material
Coming Home: i like this chorus, soaring. im hearing maiden while listening to this one.
Planets: symphony x intro. not bad, was hoping to hear something on a 'save me' level, maybe acid rain will have that, but it's still very progressive (at least compared to what i've heard so far)
Acid Rain: not what i was expecting at all. But it's very nice to listen to
final thoughts: they HAD to tell Arin to simplify everything on drums or he was too scared to spice things up. anyway, most of the songs you can sit back and headbang to.
There wasn't any HOLY SHIT moments for me at all. I still remember hearing the Fiction/Save Me 1-2 punch and going crazy, or hearing a little piece of heaven and admiring how quirky it was for them to make that song, or City of Evil nonstop awesomeness, or even Waking the Fallen which was one of the only 'screaming' bands i listened to at the time.
but no moments for me to latch onto after 1 listen. i will try again though