Level 10 - Chapter 1

Don't know for sure, but I'd swear this album cover illustration was drawn by Greg Capullo. Either way, this album rocks. Hard.Hot damn, I love how Russell Allen (Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob) has become so ubiquitous in the metal world in the last several years. Having learned about him nigh 20 years ago for his stellar work with Symphony X, I've always been impressed with his vocals, able to go from clean to gritty in a heartbeat. And now he's joined up with bassist Mat Sinner (Primal Fear) for yet another heavy metal extravaganza in the form of the Level 10 project.

Being that Mat is joined by fellow bandmates Randy Black (drums) and Alex Beyrodt (guitar), Roland Grapow (ex-Helloween) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Voodoo Circle) on lead guitar and keyboards respectively, you've got some serious hard rocking locked and loaded. And a nice taste of classic European power metal is just what you get - with a good sense of melody to boot. This is the stuff.

While the majority of the material is expectedly fast-paced, there are some slower songs like Soul Of A Warrior, Voice Of The Wilderness, All Hope Is Gone where some of the best solos take place. For comparison, I'd say it's got a solid heavy feel with elements of late 80s/early 90s metal (think Whitesnake's self-titled masterpiece) that give it a steely edge and a nice neoclassical flourish, courtesy of Del Vecchio's accompaniment. Kudos to everyone on this thing.

The Bottom Line: This is classic power metal by some of the best in the biz. If you dig the idea of a neoclassical version of Whitesnake's classic 1987 album, this is your jam, tough guy.

- Genghis is waitin' for the night to c-c-c-cooooome *slide*....