JP mentions the middle section of AVFTTOTW is its own section, providing relief from the more metal section.
I hope it's not another Illumination Theory thing. The Count Of Tuscany one worked, so I hope this one does as well.
ugh, unfortunately, that's what it sounds like...
You could tell how the AVFTTOTW section will sound like just by vague descriptors?
No, but the whole "middle softer (often ambient-like) section of a grand epic" has been played out, and not just by DT.
That's what makes Octavarium and ACOS more special, those epics don't do that.
What I like about ANTR is the middle section "Beautiful Agony" is its own section of music, and keeps the momentum going, and not just the 'relief' for the band.
Same with Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (Goodnight Kiss)
Softer middle section worked in Close To The Edge, but that doesn't mean it's necessary in every other epic.