Given that I already know this album, having been recommended it by (I thnk) DWV in “Love or Hate?” some of the questions here are superfluous, so I'll only answer the ones that are relevant.
1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
N/a
2. What did you think of the opening track?
Really loved it, great atmosphere
3. What did you think of the next track?
Excellent also; the quality here never really dips beyond close to perfection
4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?*(see note 1)
n/a
5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?*(see note 2)
Goddamn, yes.
6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
N/a
7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
N/a (no lyrics as such)
8. Did you like the instrumental parts?*(see note 3)
Oh yeah. Fantastic.
9. What did you think of the production?
The usual
10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
Yes, as above, though not before then
11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
Kind of classical really, so yes
12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
This is an album that just improves (ie gets more perfect) with every listen
13. What would you class as your favourite track(s), if you have any?
Everything, but especially the two “Symphoniques”, “Witch of Endor, “Bird's Lament" etc
14. And the one(s) you liked least?
Not a single one
15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?*(see note 4)
n/a
16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
Very much so
17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
No, as I already knew the album
18. Did the album end well?
Ended as well as it began
19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
Impossible
20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
I found it hung together very well.
Happy to give this my second
10/10