I'd love them to pick up where they finished last time in this line up- a continuation of The Ritual with the addition of their experiences gained through all the years of playing different music. Something melodic (not weak or soft), complex, with a lot of tempo changes and solos, some jazz elements brought by Alex, some funky groove from Greg, heavy riffing and melodic vocals with an occasional growl and old school shriek, a couple of fast neck breaking songs and a ballad or two. I don't know whether Chuck will agree to do something that melodic and containing so few growls again, though.
I think Louie would have been a great drummer now if only he hadn't had this 13-year-old-hiatus when he didn't touch the drum kit. Still, I believe he'll come up with something interesting- not Lombardo style, because this record prpbably won't be in the vein of The Gathering.
As for Alex liking TG it also surprises me- I've read a lot of interwievs about it where he tried to be polite ("I like the production, the drums are awesome, I enjoy some riffs"), but maintained that this is not the type of music he likes. He thought it lacked melody, solos and had too much growling. Maybe he changed his mind..
I thing whatever direction they choose, it will be something interesting because of the things they are doing now. I hope this will be very unique and experimental not just The Gathering, The Ritual or The New Order Part II.
