Review Summary: Symphony X feat. Primal Fear?
Russell Allen sure is a busy man, spawning side projects one after another... or even at the same time, considering that Adrenaline Mob's upcoming EP will be released in two weeks after Level 10's debut. This time, the singer meets with bassist/producer Mat Sinner, who also brings guitarist Alex Beyrodt and drummer Randy Black, all from Primal Fear. The band is completed by guitarist Roland Grapow (Masterplan, ex Helloween) and keyboardist Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Voodoo Circle). Frontiers Records promoted
Chapter One as a mixture of Adrenaline Mob and Primal Fear, but was the idea really that interesting? Apparently, Allen and Sinner have been discussing about a collaboration for years.
So here we are, left with a compilation of metal songs that borrow diverse influences but in the end result in something that is neither fish nor fowl. That is mainly due to a songwriting that comes off as a bit lazy, where every track follows a safe, simple structure. That said, the diverse influences make for, in its limits, a varied experience. For example, the opener "Cry No More" starts
Chapter One with a power metal touch, while the following "Soul Of A Warrior" is a slow burner filled with gritty, heavy riffing and a carpet of keys to enhance the melodies. Then again, the hard rocking "One Way Street" boasts an AOR feel that later comes back with "Last Man On Earth" after Level 10's attempt at a dark, epic sounding piece with "Blasphemy."
All of this would be good, if it wasn't for the fact that it was only the first half of the record.
Chapter One sadly loses charm in its second half, home for the less inspired tracks. "In For The Kill" is the closest Allen gets to imitating Dio's vocals and features tight melodic riffing, but suffers from an exhausting chorus. Both "Voice Of The Wilderness" and "The Soul Is Eternal" rely on a long solo section to compensate their repetitiveness, and "All Hope Is Gone" is the canonic ballad about loss. Instead, what doesn't change is the band's proficiency, that does its best to keep the work tight, and it shows especially in a guitar work that spices up every song with solid riffing and melodic leads. One objection would be that the keyboard parts could have been more incisive. Finally, Allen seems more at ease here than in Adrenaline Mob, being freed from the necessity of sounding the most metal he can.
If you are a die-hard Russell Allen fan, or if you simply love your metal melodic, it's likely for you to find some entertainment with Level 10. The band is in fact capable of writing catchy pieces, reaching the peak in the ending of "One Way Street" where they showcase their taste for melodic playing. Furthermore, at the worst you are going to hear a clichéd but catchy rocker, so it is hard to get really mad at
Chapter One (especially knowing that a new Symphony X album is in the making). The catch is simple yet a little frustrating: don't expect a blend of progressive and power metal, but rather a more mainstream sound that features some pleasant adjustments.
