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On disc: Masterplan



Enlighten Me - Claudia Ehrhardt - 8 stars
Masterplan - Claudia Ehrhardt - 9 stars
Aeronautics - Claudia Ehrhardt - 9 stars
MK II - Claudia Ehrhardt - 7 stars
Far From The End Of The World - Claudia Ehrhardt - 6 stars
Time To Be King - Claudia Ehrhardt - 7 stars
Time To Be King - Umberto Mino - 8 stars


www.master-plan.net







Time To Be King

Time To Be King
(AFM Records - 2010)


After the first listening of this new Masterplan CD, my first thought is "e;Welcome back Jørn"e;!!! I have no prejudice about Mike DiMeo (my closest friends know how much I love Riot......), but this time I must admit that Mr Lande gives to these song a touch of class and aggessivness with his powerful voice, an element that in the bluesy style of DiMeo is missing. But anyway let's start with this review with another thing: inspiration is back to Roland Grapow and the rest of the band, because we can hear in this Time To Be King many influences from Irish music to Queen!!! Fiddle Of Time opens this album and, for people that have the bonus track on, ends with Kisses From You. This time it's easy for me to say that only two track are not at the high quality level (I don't mean bad songs), Blue Europa and Under The Moon. Other album song show Masterplan like they were in their fist album period, at the top and in perfect shape!!!!
Nothing to say more about this album, because this time I steal a phrase of Aerosmith's Joe Perry: "e;Let the music do the talking!"e; .... Roland, Jorn, Mike, Axel and Jan-Soren hit the bulls eye, good job guys!!!


8 stars

Umberto Mino
 

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Time To Be King

Time To Be King
(AFM Records - 2010)


Jørn Lande is back and so the Masterplan fans have high hopes. The single was okay, but I was wondering which way the album will go. Time To Be King opens up with Fiddle Of Time, a fast riff-based track. Axel Mackenrott's keyboard play changes the atmosphere of the song more then once. But at the end it's Jørn Lande's vocals which ennobles the song. Fiddle Of Time would have been a better appitizer for Time To Be King then Far From The End Of The World. Next in line Blow Your Winds and Far From The End Of The World which both were already released on the EP. The title track Time To Be King shows them stronger, an up-tempo power metal tune with an epic touch - and so reminds me a bit of Dio here and there... Not one of their best songs ever, but well... The bombastic Lonely Winds Of War some will know from the EP, here it works better as it fits well to the flow of the album. For The Dark Road they speed up a bit for the opening passage, but then it becomes an emotional balladesque tune with a melancholy touch. Again it's Jørn Lande's voice which gives the song something special. The powerful The Sun Is In Your Hands gives you the idea that Masterplan are still able to deliver great songs, even if this album can't keep the level of their first 2 albums. At The Black One the keyboard is too prominent for me... Great solo by Roland Grapow. With Blue Europa they have one of the best songs at the end of the album, wish they would have more tracks like this guitar-driven one. The closer is Under The Moon, a powerful balladesque tune. I think this one would have worked better, if they would have stripped it down. This way it's too bombastic, especially the slower passages where the keyboard almost stream rolls the vocals.... A pity.
Well, the expectations been high and to be honest Masterplan's new album is good, but can't meet the high expectations, I think. There are some cool songs, even if they partly push a bit too far. Towards the end they songs get stronger, but at the end it's not another Masterplan!


7 stars

Claudia Ehrhardt
 

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Far From The End Of The World

Far From The End Of The World
(AFM Records - 2010)


The first 2 Masterplan albums are already classics, MKII showed a new line-up incl ex-Riot singer Mike DeMeo and drummer Mike Terrana. The album couldn't meet the expectations, but had it's moments. Personally I think that DeMeo's style just didn't fit to Grapow's compositions... Anyway, Jørn Lande is back and this is their first sign of life since his return.
The single should be an appetizer for the upcoming album Time To Be King. The single has Far From The End Of The World in 2 versions and the track Lonely Winds Of War - which will be on the album as well. Beside that the album version is only 15 seconds longer then the single edit.
You hear the wind blow... thunder and then Masterplan head into Far From The End Of The World, a guitar-driven tune with a bombastic edge and a melancholy touch. A decent song, but no ear catcher. This one won't haunt you for days. Lonely Winds Of War kicks off acoustically and with a flute, then the song becomes a riff-based mid-pace rocker with epic vocals. This song won't win you over, it sounds too familiar.
Well, first of all... If you plan to buy the album, then you won't need this single, coz it don't really offer something special. Beside that let's hope that these aren't the highlights of the album, coz in that case it can't keep up with the first albums. Sure, Jørn Lande is as good as ever and technically there is nothing to complain, but the songs don't have the magic of the first chapter in the Masterplan history.


6 stars

Claudia Ehrhardt
 








MK II

MK II
(AFM Records - 2007)


A few months ago the news arrived that singer Jørn Lande left Masterplan. Fans started speculating who will be his successor - but I never heard anybody mention Mike DiMeo of Riot. Anyway, ex-Riot Mike DiMeo is the new singer. But that wasn't the only change... Founding member Uli Kusch has left the band, too. A replacement was found in Mike Terrana (ex-Rage). With this news the fans waited anxiously for the first musical sign from Masterplan. The single Lost And Gone give a first impression - and not really a bad one. But still many doubted that the album can keep the quality level, now MK II has arrived.
Phoenix Rising is the opening track - an instrumental intro - called. And as a phoenix Masterplan rose from the ashes with MK II. With the fast neck breaker Warrior's Cry they give an impression of Masterplan anno 2007. Fast double bass drumming and riffing dominates this song. DiMeo's vocals are more hard rock-like and build an interesting contrast. Catchy? Well, the vocal line is catchy, but the fast instrumentation takes away some catchiness. Personally I think reducing the speed would have done the song only good. The following Lost And Gone was the single release and so a mid-tempo song with an poppy touch and with a neo-classical guitar solo. One of the highlights is Keeps Me Burning which sounds a bit like a combination of Masterplan and Riot... Here Mike DiMeo can shine. Also the balladesque rocker Trust In You give him more space for feelings.
Another up-tempo tune is Take Me Over. The vocals should be a bit more up-front... Great vocal line and great refrain. After a break Mackenrott's keyboard - together with a pounding bass from Jan Eckert and some riffs - delivers the basis for DiMeo and shows him almost pleading. Then its time for Mr. Grapow to show his talent. At I'm Gonna Win the vocals are back up-front and the mid-tempo song gives DiMeo the chance to express more emotions. A song which suits Masterplan's new singer is Call The Gispy. The song has a hard rock feeling - with an oriental touch - and shows again that the mid-tempo songs are much stronger then the others. Masterplan is another up-tempo one and will be what most expect from the band, but again the vocals can't keep up. DiMeo don't has the same power as Lande. But the epic Heart Of Darkness presents the German-American band very well. Why they left the best song for the last? No idea, but at least this one let you go with a good impression!
Not at all a bad album, but it seems to me that the songs where written for Jørn Lande to sing... Mike DiMeo is a fantastic singer as well, but has a different style. Not all songs suit his voice. And so this album leaves me with mixed feelings. Perhaps they just need to grow together.... As Jørn Lande is one of the best singers these days it was a hard task to find a replacement and Mike DiMeo is another great one, no doubt, but I think that they have to slightly change to give him the space to shine. If he will manage the old songs? Yes, he will. It will sound different and some might have to be overdone, but with the American they hired someone who can fill the spot left by Lande.
This time the band recorded the album at Roland Grapow's own studio and only the mixing was outsourced - Finnvox got to add the finishing touch. The sound of the album is good, but personally I think that the drum sound is the weak spot. Not dry and crisp, so it takes away some of the power. But I think that's personal preferences....
If you know the single, then you should check out Keeps Me Burning, Call The Gispy, Enemy and Heart Of Darkness.


7 stars

Claudia Ehrhardt
 






Aeronautics

Aeronautics
(AFM Records - 2005)


Starting off with some sirens... The band joins in to some up-tempo track - Crimson Rider. I think that many fans were curious, if Masterplan are able to deliver another high class album.... And Masterplan did! I still think that the voice of Jorn Lande makes this special. Without him? I'm not sure, if it would be such a killer album. After the opening track the band of former Helloween guitarist Roland Grapow presents a mid-tempo tune - Back For My Life - which is also their first single and video. It's still heavy, but has balladesque parts - all crowned by the intense vocals of Mr. Lande. It's one of my favorite tracks and a good choice to check them out. Here Axel Mackenrott's keyboard is creating a sound web the other instruments are floating on.If someone is just expecting some melodic fast metal then one has to learn that the quintet has more to offer. They work with breaks so that there are fast double bass drumming, guitar riffing parts and then mid-tempo parts like at Wounds. Usually the keyboard stays in the background, so even metal fans who dislike keyboard sounds should give this one a chance. Even if Axel's keyboard play is essential for the sound of Masterplan, he mainly stays in the musical background. Sure there are parts where he takes over the lead - listen to I'm Not Afraid. Here he plays kind of intro. A real heavy track where in the beginning Uli Kusch's drums are the counterpart to the keyboard and the guitar riffing. A break. Then mid-tempo.... Speeding up. During the catchy chorus they slow down a little. This one has all the essentials of the Masterplan sound and not half way through the record it's clear that they could top their debut release!
After This War is almost an ballad, but a bit too heavy... Here Jorn Lande's voice is the focus even more then on other tracks. But there is also a guitar solo included. But I think that Back For Life - okay, this one is heavier - is the stronger one. But I can imagine that this one is a killer in an semi-acoustic version.... Black In The Burn starts with keyboard and vocals. A ballad? Well, that's how it looks first, but then the band joins in really heavy. Also highly emotional. Here they again they have all incrediens of their sound. Actually this song is partly the most heavy one and also the most balladesque one. So listen to this one to make up your mind about Aeronautics.
With Falling Sparrow they go a little epic. This song grows. Listen to it several times, it's not as catchy as others, but very good. You probably first think that it doesn't fit to the rest of the album, but wait! Listen again!
Check out: Headbanger's Ballroom, Dark From The Dying and Back For My Life.


9 stars

Claudia Ehrhardt
 






Masterplan

Masterplan
(AFM Records - 2003)


The single Enlighten Me made me really curious to hear the whole album. The album opener Spirit Never Die starts slowly, bombastic before a fast drum beat speeds it up a little. An up-tempo track which shows its whole beauty when singer Jorn Lande joins in. Powerful, catchy it sneaks in your mind. Especially guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch are known by the metal fans, they were part of Helloween for years. The rhythm section is completed with Iron Savior four-stringer Jan S. Eckert. Together they lay down a powerful playground for Roland's guitar riffing and screaming guitars while keyboarder Axel Mackenrott complete the sound. Later in the opening track there is a break where they slow down a little and Jorn Lande add some spoken words to the music. The Norwegian singer has the ability to change from track to track resp. from moment to moment. High screams and next whispered words. Next is the single Enlighten Me which is more mid-tempo. An enchanting song which keeps spinning in your head for awhile. The track shows perfectly that great musicians can work together as a band and it ain't necessarily has to be a battle of egos. They do what's best for the song. With Crystal Night they recorded a slower tune which is really heavy, even if it has fast drumming partly, but the song is carried by the guitar riffing and the keyboard lines. One of my favorites is Soulburn which has a Led Zeppelin vibe. A great tune! An up-tempo metal an­them is Kind Hearted Light which has for me some kind of Rainbow-vibe.... The vocals change from smooth to aggressive parts, used like an instrument. The chorus is a sing-along one and will live be killer. To me it seems like Roland is freed from a limitation, like in Helloween he had to keep control and now is free to let it flow. Perhaps it's the combination of one guitar and a keyboard.... Axel Mackenrott's keyboard remind me a bit of Rainbow.... Heroes sounds partly to me like a song from Helloween during the Kiske era... I just love this one! But don't expect to hear reminiscences to Helloween in every song! With Into The Light they five-some they have recorded a balladesque one which shows the emotional side of singer Jorn Lande. Acoustic guitar and the low melodic vocals make this one special. But after awhile it becomes more powerful, but just for seconds, then back to the slow basic theme just to explode a few moments later.
The album offers a large musical variety, from slow ones, to mid-tempo and fast tracks e.g. Crawling From Hell. I think that this one is a must buy for every power metal fan and is really interesting also for fans of neo-classic metal. Give it a try. Btw, this one will make you addicted, it's like a drug. You soon want more! ;-)


9 stars

Claudia Ehrhardt
 






Enlighten Me

Enlighten Me
(AFM Records - 2001)


When Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch been out of Helloween it was sure that soon we will hear from them again. Now a single of Masterplan - their new band - is out as a kind of preview for their coming album. Singer in their band is none other then Jorn Lande and the line-up is completed by bassist Jan S. Eckert (Iron Savior, ex-Mydra) and Axel Mackenrott on keyboards. Musically the quintet present melodic power metal and with this line-up we can expect something special.
Starting with a whispered "Enlighten Me" the band begins this single with the single version of Enlighten Me which also finishes the CDS with the album version of this track. A solid rhythm section builds the playground for Roland Grapow's guitar play which is sup;ported by the keyboard play of Axel Mackenrott and crowned by the voice of Jorn Lande. A catchy tune which has the certain something which makes this song so intense... Special.
Another track from the forthcoming album is Kind Hearted Light which seems in the beginning more keyboard-oriented, but still has a heavy, screaming guitar. Actually the keyboard part is only more in front during the chorus. As a bonus track Through Thick And Thin was recorded, a track which sounds different to the first track, a little laid back... This track needs a few more spins and then grows with every time you listen to!
And another bonus track is the cover version of Led Zepplin's Black Dog. The song was recorded for the tribute sampler of Locomotive Music which is called The Music Remains The Same. With a singer like Jorn Lande Master;plan have a vocalist who can sing this kind of stuff and they succeed covering this one!
At least it should be mentioned that the disc was produced by Andy Sneap who is known for his work with bands like Nevermore, Machine Head and Blaze. The final touch, the mixing was done by Mikko Karmila who worked with Stratovarius, HIM, Edguy, Night;wish and many more.
Btw, the first edition of the album will be released as a limited digi-pack double CD! So, one more reason to get the full-length album before the Nordic quintet enters the European stages in January / February 2003 as support of Hammerfall!


8 stars

Claudia Ehrhardt
 

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