Masterplan [Limited Edition]

Masterplan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 17, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: AFM Records
• ASIN: B00008DV9P
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,270 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Spirit Never Die

2. Enlighten Me

3. Kind Hearted Light

4. Crystal Night

5. Soulburn

6. Heroes

7. Sail On

8. Into the Light

9. Crawling from Hell

10. Bleeding Eyes

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Videoclip 'Enlighten Me' [CD-ROM Track]

Editorial Reviews

2003 debut album for metal act featuring guitarist Roland Grapow & drummer Ulli Kusch (both formerly with Helloween), bassist Jan S. Eckert (Iron Savior), & vocalist Jorn Lande (Ark & Jorn). CD 1 has eleven tracks, CD 2 is a multimedia CD featuring a videoclip for 'Enlighten Me', video interview & screen saver. AFM Records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing debut from this melodic metal supergroup, November 30, 2010

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Masterplan (Audio CD)

The melodic metal supergroup Masterplan, featuring former Helloween members Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch and Norwegian super-vocalist Jorn Lande, released their self-titled debut in 2003. Masterplan has since become a dominant force in melodic metal, and this is where it all began.

This is a near-flawless melodic metal album. Any album with Jorn Lande is an automatic winner for me, and he gives an amazing performance here, sounding at once like David Coverdale and the late, great Ronnie James Dio. Lande gives Masterplan a classic hard rock/heavy metal element, and Grapow and Kusch (plus Iron Savior bassist Jan Eckert) provide a German power metal backbone. Throw in some killer keyboards from Children of Bodom's Janne Wirman and a duet with Lande and former Helloween singer Michael Kiske (on "Heroes") and Masterplan becomes that much more of an "all-star" album.

Masterplan manages to strike a perfect balance between power metal heaviness and melodic rock accessibility. It's heavy enough, but the melodies are so infectious that you'll either end end up air drumming or singing along (or both!) with every song. There really isn't much point listing the best tracks, because the whole album is amazing. If I had to choose my favorites, I'd go with "Enlighten Me," "Kind Hearted Light" and "Heroes," which is about as close to a classic Helloween reunion song as you're likely to get.

This is one of the strongest debut albums in recent memory, and is one that should appeal to just about anyone who is a fan of melodic, power and/or progressive metal. If you follow bands like Last Tribe, Starbreaker, Pretty Maids, Vanden Plas, Saint Deamon, and of course Jorn's solo material, you'll simply have to check out Masterplant.

Edition Notes: There is a limited edition version of Masterplan that comes in a nice digibook (though the sleeves that hold the discs can lead to scratching) and includes a bonus disc with video content. I love the "Enlighten Me" video, so I had to have this version of the album.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ...., July 16, 2008

By 

Farrell Trinity - See all my reviews

This review is from: Masterplan (Audio CD)

I've been hooked by Jorn Lande's voice - Ark: Burn the Sun being one of my favourite albums of all time. This album affords us the opportunity to hear more of that amazing voice and he is backed by a more than competent set of musicians here. It is just not as creative and original - and therefore "progressive" - as the Ark project. That being said, I still LOVE this album. It has many high points for me and I can (and have been all evening) quietly enjoy it and slip off into another world with my headphones in place. I would highly recommend this album (and all the other Masterplan with Jorn) and have done with friends. Enjoy!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good but....., February 24, 2003

By 

Dr Nick "Dr Nick" (Sheffield, S Yorks United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Masterplan (Audio CD)

I've been following Jorn for a while, ever since he toured (briefly) with Yngwie. And I love some of his stuff, especially Ark (Burn The Sun is one of my favourite CD's this millenium). His second solo CD (Worldchanger) is also very good, as was his CD with Millenium (Hourglass).
For me, Masterplan is a slight backwards step. I miss the diversity and virtuosity of Ark (Jorn was apparently fired for refusing to commit long-term to the project).

The style is straightforward power metal, on the whole, and yes, they do it very well. Hints of Whitesnake crop up, and one could also draw comparisons with Helloween in the rhythm section (not surprisingly, guitarist and drummer both hail from their ranks).
But part of the joy of Ark was the way they changed things around, tried something different, and basically had a blast.

Also, Roland Grapow is a good guitarist, but not quite in the same league as Tore Ostby, who could probably match Yngwie note for note and be original too. His solos are short, bluesy metal, and to the point. Some will no doubt prefer this to seemingly endless shredding, I just happen to use Yngwie and related players as a benchmark.

The bass + keys are solid, but not especially original. The drummer is excellent, no question, perhaps the closest this band gets to the talent in Ark.
Actually Jorn's vocals are probably the best thing on the CD, which says a lot for his ability to write a memorable melody and lyric, and deliver it to a high standard regardless of the setting. In fact, to be fair, the songwriting is pretty good overall, and a couple of songs (Enlighten Me in particular) are superb.

There are certainly some very good songs here, and I know I'll enjoy this album - but Ark (Burn the Sun) will remain my favourite.