Spent the last few hours digesting the new album via a leaked copy. I've already pre-ordered the record, so I feel, why not?
Initial thoughts: It's not as terrible as I expected, but it's faaar from being on par with anything they've done pre-1994. Fine. That's been a given for a while. I really liked their last 3 albums of original material. This unfortunately doesn't live up.
This album sounds like Q2K pt. 2. A few pretty good songs with some nods to the glory days of the mighty ryche. However, there are a number of forgettable songs, even after nearly 3 listens. Production is good, performance is okay...
However, as you might have guessed from the abysmal guitar solo on Get Started (if you've heard it), the solos are pretty weak for the entire record. They sound like the guitar solos I wrote when I was 14. Just sliding all over one string. Did Michael Wilton even show up when they recorded it? A pity, considering I felt the guitar solos on American Soldier really elevated that record to being more than just average.
All in all, I'm left feeling disappointed. By now, I know what to expect, and I've made amends with most of their post-Promised Land material, but this just seems like a step backward. On second thought, with the exception of a few songs, it's more like Geoff Tate's solo album pt. 2.
Best songs so far: Get Started, At the Edge, Hot Spot Junkie