'Chapter One' is the first album from the collaborative project of Russell Allen (vocalist of Symphony X and regrettably Adrenaline Mob) and Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Sinner) called Level 10. The rest of the band includes Randy Black and Alex Beyrodt (both of Primal Fear) on drums and guitar respectively, Roland Grapow (formerly of Helloween) on guitar, and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Voodoo Circle) on keyboard. Thankfully the album will feature songwriting credits from Magnus Karlsson, Carsten Schulz, Sander Gommans and Amanda Somerville, since Level 10's band members have roughly one million active bands, side projects and guest appearances between them and are sure to have used up most of their best ideas already.
However, despite all the outside writers, the first couple of songs released from this album ("Blasphemy" and "Cry No More") do appear to be more of the same. Not bad, but just not very different from the sort of thing you'd hear on an Allen/Lande or Primal Scream album. This will delight some fans while it frustrates others. It depends on whether you like variety or familiarity, I guess. But I suppose opinions should be reserved until the album is actually released in full; there still might be a gem or two on there.