Customer Reviews

Masterplan

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

Masterplan's debut album does not disappoint. Simply a must have for any power metal fan. In fact, this album introduced me to the power metal genre. Jorn's voice is phenomenal, Roland's guitar playing is unbelievable, Uli's drum skill is incomparable... the lyrics are definitely the album's high point. Such inspiring music! Please do yourself a favor and buy this CD and support Masterplan!

This is a great album! I recommend it to anyone who likes a good heavy/power metal. Since I bought it, it has been in my stereo all the time. I really like Jorn Lande's vocals, he puts so much into his songs. The rest of the band are just great also. The former Helloweenists show us that they still have that touch.

Although I like all the songs, my favourite ones are Enlighten Me, Soulburn, and Sail On.

I am waiting anxiously for the next Masterplan album. I hope it's equally great or greater than this one.

"Masterplan" is the debut album by all star European melodic-power metal band "Masterplan" originally released in 2003. Having departed from the ranks of "Helloween", lead guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch chose to put together a new metal outfit featuring renowned singer-and solo artist at the time- Jorn Lande. The line up was completed by key player Alex Mackenrott and bassist Jan Eckert.

The musical approach of "Masterplan" would include melodic keyboards, thick rhythm guitars, inventive drumming and large choruses while integrating melodic and rhythm progressions that make the compositions stand out, effectively establishing the band's personal style.

"Masterplan" came out conceptually darker than member's previous bands/works with lyrics often filled with irony and sarcasm (best examples "Soulburn" and "Enlighten me" , while other times delivering hope and determination "Spirit never die" and "Heroes". Although far from the optimistic melodic metal "Masterplan"s melodic-power-progressive metal combination delivered a very appealing product; and I do consider that it is their ability to combine minor and major melodies along with lyrical optimism and pessimism that sets them apart from the majority of bands. "Masterplan" is an album that should rightfully be considered a classic of melodic, power and progressive metal that delivers musical substance more than anything else.

Much better than I thought it would be!I am not a huge fan of HELLOWEEN and I was wondering why JORN LANDE left ARK for this project.Masterplan is a very good HEAVY/melodic album far more interesting than any Helloween's album, the music varies from classic heavy tunes to heavy/prog moments.Not as complex as ARK but more in the style of BEYOND TWILIGHT.LANDE proves again is not just a Coverdale's clone but developed his own style.
The production is a must, sharp, clear and powerful.
The two last songs of the album, very different from the rest-one a RAINBOW type song, the other a ballad-are simply amazing and shows that MASTERPLAN has the capacity and the will to produce a music beyond the stereotypes and the Heavy Metal cliches.
Fans of HELLOWEEN and JORN LANDE get your visa card!