Holy fuck are people getting bent out of shape because (surprise) this is not another FTR/HB. One would think after 5 full albums (and 15 years) of not returning to it it (next to Alexi's newfound/reborn/actuallyitwasalwaysthere love for glam metal/rock) it would be clear it is foolish to wait for such an album.
Call it as you want, fixate on it being "melody" or "melodies", but this is WAY more melodical than the last albums, less "chuga chuga" or as it used to be called around here "Lamb Of God riffs", indeed short and sweet, and catchy as hell, which I don't know about you but to me is the common denominator of most of their best songs (SNBN, KTS, HCD, LB, TDE, Downfall, Ugly, Sixpounder, FTR, BAM, Warheart... I could keep going, I think my point is clear).
Yes, the solo is basically a pattented "Alexi's lead magic box medley", but to be honest it sounds good, it does the job, and it does not sound forced, so I am pretty happy with it (remember the whammy wankery in WIWI?).
To be honest, if this is any indication of how the album is going to be it looks like Alexi finally landed where he seemed destined to: heavily rock n' roll influenced metal, with his fucked up lyrings sung over actually often "happy" melodies, and I for one could not be happier. If the rest of the album follows suit it might very well go pretty high up my favourites list.