As they've gotten older, the pace of their music has eroded. Especially the guitar playing. And to me, it's at the point now where, anything slower than what they are doing, it's just not good enough. It's at the point now where another album would be just too slow & boring. For me. That's the progression of the music since reunion.
Too many songs on this album like TOAC, MOS & WTRRD are just simple chords being struck over & over or a chord played out & sustained while everything else keeps the song going. For that reason alone, those 3 songs I'm not happy with will never be played. Everyone talked about the riff on TOAC & I am asking myself what riff? That's not a riff at all! Makes me feel like I dl'd the wrong song!
First song I heard was Aces High & was instant love. Songs like that & Flash of the Blade are what made me start playing guitar. Fast, aggressive guitar riffs & licks.The harmonies are still there but, the speed & the licks have vanished with time.