I couldnt be more happy with the preview. I actually got goosebumps. The last time i got goosebumps over Porcupine Tree was when In Absentia came out. Deadwing was ok for me, just didnt wow me.
What I can make out of the lyrics sounds pretty iffy. This is one thing I like about extreme metal--when the lyrics are poor, I don't care because I can't hear them.
It sounds like SW has been listening to too much Meshuggah. The heavy parts almost sound really good. Syncopation without melodies is boring though.
This sounds pretty awesome. Steven seems to really be taking this album into a more heavier sound. Infact in one part it sounded like some extreme metal thing with double bass and all.
Oh damn, I'll be buying this. It MAY actually be superior to Deadwing, we'll see (and I loved Deadwing a great deal.) It seemed the preview got REALLY good around the 4 min mark and beyond - there's this one acoustic piece that blew my mind.
I will not hear this again until the arrival of the album. I can't wait. I think I'll get it in DVD-audio.