Just some running thoughts on the first few listens. I have to say its very overwhelming, so much going on to absorb in the beginning. As people have said Pete's playing is out of this world just jaw dropping, he's my fav player on this album. I love MP's playing and the sound of the drums, gives a very typical and familiar TA feel to it. Roine and Neal are great and love their vocals on the album though I might be liking Roine's a little more than Neal's.
Some thoughts on parts of the title track.
Overture/Whirlwind - Great vocal intro to the album with Roine's vocals. It gave that very welcoming feel when I listened to it the first time. The overture itself is awesome and gives a great intro for whats in store of the rest of the album.
The Wind Blew Them All Away - This musically feels like a combo of some NM stuff along with all of the above's soldier of fortune [Camouflaged in blue] part. I think this is my least liked part in the whole track.
On The Prowl - Bass work out of this world on this track. Lyrics sorta feels corny with the 'wolf's on the prowl' part.
A Man Can Feel - Roine has a very creepy old guy voice in the beginning haha I really love the chorus. This track from 1:33 for a short while has a very Jacob's ladder vibe to it
Out On The Night - Very TA with great vocals from Roine and love the MP and Pete individual lines. I think the previous 3 tracks are the most TA sounding.
Rose Colored Glasses - First half and chorus (on the dark side..etc) like NM then amazing solo with Shine on you crazy diamond like addons heard on the left side.
Evermore - Yes-ish flavor with TA stamp.
Set Us free - Even though heavy NM preachy lyrics this part has the best MP vocals and musically very typical TA.
Lay Down Your Life - Some very screechy, aka 'Devils got my throat', singing from NM, bit NMish mostly TA feel.
Pieces of Heaven - Great TA jam.
Is It Really Happening? - Not sure what tragedy they're talking about in the samples at the beginning but gives the feeling of Marillion's Ocean Cloud. The 'Is it really happening' lines very much echoes Floyds 'Is there anybody out there'
Great solo in this track building to an awesome ending.
Dancing With Eternal Glory/Whirlwind(Reprise) - More NMish feel and lyrics to the track but this time fits into a TA album ending very much in the vein of Stranger in your Soul. Love the 'A man can feel' chorus reprise.
So yea a lot to absorb and go through, things might change with more listens. Even though there is a NM solo feel to this album I think its not as much as people are saying there is. I mean its there in some parts but overall in the 77 min epic I dont think its a lot to detract from the mostly awesome TA music.
As for lyrics, yea its a bit preachy but hasnt distracted me from listening to it really. But I'm still not sure lyrically what the entire whirlwind track is about lol.
I've only listened to 2nd disc once but really liked the 4 TA tracks esp Spinning.