1. Petrucci is fantastic here. Intro is beautiful, chugging is good where it's at.
2. Bass is more present than the last 2 albums. Also, it sounds more...emotive. I feel like JMX is speaking with it.
3. JR is the MVP here. Every patch used is used perfectly in each part. Choirs, pianos, whatever.
4. JLB sounds "right." I'm not expecting JLB to be all over high screams anymore. No more tough guy metal like ANTR or CM or TDEN. This style suits him well. Nothing immediately memorable, but it will grow on you. Watch.
5. Love the verses and the way they are sung, with a bit of pause. Very nice!
6. Proggy with metal and well done at that! Felt so natural.
7. Lyrics are better than almost anything on the last 2 albums. Exceptions or contenders: Wither.
8. Drums are there, serving their purpose. I never expected some blowout performance from Mangini. Yes, some fantastic drumming, but nothing like "WOW BEST EVAR." He fits in, and it's actually nice to not have predictable drum fills every song. Drums are a bit low in the mix, I agree on that.
9. Piano part sounds like SFAM to me. I loved it, and the solo.
10. This is DT how I would want them to sound in their modern form. This song exceeded my high expectations.
Overall, what hits me is that this song is not over the top, trying to make you think it's the best song ever. It's not, but it is the song that I think will set the new DT ship on high ground for all of us watching. It has the right elements, and I feel like DT have finally matured from where 8VM (or SDOIT, depending) left off.