Guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch were with the German melodic power metal band, Helloween, until autumn 2001. Jan S. Eckert used to be the bassist for Iron Savior from Hamburg. Keyboard-player Axel Mackenrott called attention as a member of various cover bands, such as Catch The Rainbow (Rainbow cover band), Machine Head (Deep Purple cover band), and with his own band Punch TV. Vocalist Jørn Lande has made a name for himself world-wide as front man with Ark and Jorn, among others. Together, these five musicians make up Masterplan.

Roland Grapow, Axel Mackenrott, Jørn Lande (front), Jan S.Eckert, Uli Kusch

ENLIGHTEN ME (EP) (2002) AFM

The first sign of life from this band was this EP, released some months prior to the album. It contains 2 versions of "Enlighten Me" (can anyone ever hear any difference between the edited versions and the album version?), "Kind Hearted Light" (also from the album) + 2 exclusive tracks. "Through Thick And Thin" is a cool slower song, which I can totally see why they didn't include it on the album. "Black Dog" is an incredible cover version of the classic Led Zeppelin tune. Jørn Lande rules as he renders through this song, as there was no tomorrow. Simply outstanding!

MASTERPLAN (Special Edition 2CD) (2003) AFM

Rumors and anticipation was what preceded this album. And what gratitude it was to finally take the CD home, and listen to it for the first time. I even held off buying it a few weeks, because I wanted the Special Edition (turned out not to be a necessity...). First of all, this is NOT Helloween-light, Helloween pt.2, Helloween-replica or whatever spin-off you might have imagined. This is an entirely different band, with it's own sound and unique talent. Masterplan have set out to create great metal music, and that's what they have accomplished. There is not a bad song on the entire album, making it one of the strongest debuts I've ever heard. And this will also most certain be one of the highlights of 2003, as far as favorite releases is concerned. What makes this a really outstanding album is Jørn's fantastic voice. He lifts the otherwise good songs up to a level above most others. And it's not only the voice itself, but also the way he uses it. The vocal lines sounds like no other band out there. Getting him as their vocalist was a killer move! They originally asked Michael Kiske to fill this spot, but he had to turn them down due to his new band SupaRed, and the fact that he wasn't to keen on touring. He does guest on the track "Heroes" though, and quite frankly, that is maybe the weakest song on the album. If you love metal, get this album! A MUST!!!!

Killer tracks: The entire album rules!

BACK FOR MY LIFE (EP) (2004) AFM

Masterplan returns with another EP release, prior to their new album. I must admit that the song they chose to entice our excitement didn't exactly make me beg for more. But after listening to the entire album a couple of times, I now find "Back For My Life" to be a killer tune. The reason for owning this EP is still the 2 non-album tracks though (3 if you include both versions of "Killing In Time"). I guess such a collectors feature will disappear if the band starts to sell even more albums. 

AERONAUTICS (Limited Edition) (2005) AFM

It was with much anticipation I put on this album for the very first time. The single had not impressed me, and it is truly a hard task to follow up such a strong debut as Masterplan's firstborn really was. But this band just continues to impress me, as they have delivered another masterpiece, and in some manners even outdone themselves on 'Aeronautics'! I cannot understand how any lover of metal can not absolutely love this? Ok, if you only listen to death and/or black metal, this might not be for you. But people who claim to like any metal genres, from classic, progressive, melodic or power, should be able to hear how good these guys are. Every note written and played is well thought through. The vocal-lines are delivered with power and passion, and without the obvious clichés. The songs does not get old or boring fast, on the contrary. Most of them manage to live a life of their own, where as some of them grow with each listen, whilst others simply sound stunning from first spin. The overall dynamic of the songs are very good, creating a familiar, but at the same time exciting feeling when listening to them. Stellar production doesn't exactly hurt the product either. Most of the tracks have the ability to send shivers down my spine. I've heard complaints about the lyrics for "Headbanger's Ballroom", but what is so bad about paying homage to a place that has meant a lot for metal fans in Germany? If nothing else, at least the track creates a diversity. Me personally can not say enough good things about this album, and suffice to say, Masterplan are now one of my favorite bands. You owe it to yourself to check this out. It most likely will be found once again, when this year is over, at one of the top3 spots on my top 20 list of 2005's releases.

Killer tracks: All of them!

Roland Grapow, Jan-Sören Eckert, Mike Terrana, Axel Mackenrott, Mike DiMeo

LOST AND GONE (EP) (2005) AFM

After a serious line-up change, Masterplan returns in it's second incarnation. Out went Jørn and Uli, in cane Mike DiMeo (vocals) and Mike Terrana (no further introduction needed!). This EP puzzles me a bit, I take it this is a teaser of what we have in store on the full length album. But didn't Jørn leave because he wanted the band to venture further away from the "German" metal sound and go into a more melodic direction? Well, this is exactly what Masterplan have done!! Sure, this is only a few tracks. Tracks that interestingly enough are quite scattered across the metal genre. The title track for the EP is a powerful, yet very melodic metal song. You can clearly recognize the "fat" guitar-tone of one Roland Grapow. "Dying Just To Live" is a power ballad, complete with piano and Mike's soaring vocals. Finally "Keeps Me Burning" is the most Helloween-sounding of the all. Again, this is a very melodic tune. And I have no problem imagining that this is something Jørn would have fit perfectly for. Mind you though, Mike is an awesome vocalist in his own rights, and he's probably the only one that actually seems to be able to fill Mr. Lande's shoes. I can't wait to hear what 'MK II' will bring.

MK II (Limited Edition Digibook) (2007) AFM

The wait is over, and the jury has reached it's verdict: Masterplan Mk II is something of a different band altogether. Or is it? Man, this is a toughie! First, what is different? Well, the vocals of course! Mike has a terrific voice. Strong, clean and smooth. Still he doesn't have the same charisma as his predecessor, and he certainly can't produce the same magical vocal lines. Thus having a tendency to make the band sound more "generic" than they really are. Mike number 2, on the drums that is, is really audible too. Nothing against Uli, but Mr. Terrana brings something extra to the flock. Musically the band is searching broader. They have ventured both heavier and more melodic at the same time! What is the same? Well, this still sounds like Masterplan. I know this sort of goes over most peoples heads, and they tend to lump the band into the same category as Helloween and all their clone bands. That is unfair in my mind! They are sort of a technical melodic modern power metal band. And as such, they are quite unique. I would be willing to bet that most metal lovers, from AOR fans to the more power metal fanatics can find something to enjoy in their music. And this album is no exception. They can be heavy as a freight train, like on "Warrior's Cry" and "Heart Of Darkness", they can be melodic, like on "Keeps Me Burning" and "I'm Gonna Win", they can be epic, again with "Heart Of Darkness" as a reference, and they can almost be commercial, as on "Lost And Gone". Some albums are weird in the sense that you can love every single track in their own right, yet at the same time view the album as a whole as sort of a letdown. I guess that in this case that is 100% due to the fact that I will always miss Jørn in this band. Because I cannot find any other faults with 'MK II'. Hats off to Roland Grapow, one of the best songwriter in metal in 2007!

Killer tracks: Every song is top notch.

Axel Mackenrott, Roland Grapow, Jørn Lande, Jan Sören Eckert, Mike Terrana

FAR FROM THE END OF THE WORLD (Single) (2010) AFM

I have to admit that I didn't see this coming; Jørn Lande has returned to Masterplan! Yes, boys and girls, the world balance is now restored, and we can all go back to out day jobs!

Seriously though, I'm super stoked about a new Masterplan album with Jorn back at the helm. In the meantime I'll enjoy this way too short preview, in the shape of a 2 track CD-single. Since I own all the other Masterplan EP's and singles, I wanted to own this one also. It turned out to be a waste of money though, as a 14 second shorter version of the title track is all that will be "exclusive" to this release. What the heck is that all about? Why does one need to shorten down a song with 14 seconds just to put it on a single, when the album version is also here!??! STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!

What isn't stupid though, is the music. Both songs presented are melodic power metal at it's very best, with the killer songwriting combo of Roland Grapow and Jørn Lande. And even though the vocal melodies for "Lonely Winds Of War" is a total rip-off of the 'Polovtsian Dances' from Alexander Borodin's opera 'Prince Igor', it is still a great song! I can't wait to hear the full album!

TIME TO BE KING (Limited Edition digipak) (2010) AFM

'Time To Be King' is the title of Masterplan's 4th full album, and the 3rd with Jørn Lande behind the microphone. While the band sounded good with Mike DiMeo singing also, it is with Jørn they bring the magic we all came to love them for. So it's time for them to once more be the kings of the melodic metal.

There can be no denying the skills within this band. And this album shows us once again why the bands rise to fame escalated with the first 2 album, then sort of halted when Jørn left. Roland is an excellent songwriter, but Jørn is the ingredient that makes Masterplan sound unique. 'Time To Be King' is a powerful album. The songs are very well written, and this band doesn't have to dumb down their skills to make it sound catchy. All of the instruments help to create a musical symbiosis. The melodies are beautiful without getting sappy. Perhaps the bands strongest card is the lack of genre clichés. They sound modern and classic at the same time. The roots are apparent, but they are given a 2010 "facelift". 'Time To Be King' are the kind of album you never grow tired off, and it is almost impossible to pick favorite songs, as they are all very strong. I keep changing favorites every time I listen to the CD. A song that might seem insignificant on one listen can be a total gem the next.

Yes, Masterplan are back where they belong, at the top of the European metal heaven. And 'Time To Be King' is one of my favorite albums from 2010. My Limited Edition digipak comes with a bonus track, called "Kisses From You". This Queen inspired number is a fun ending to a great album.

Trivia: For whatever reason, in the song "Blue Europa", they have spelled the word Europe the way we do it her in Europe. Jørn also sings it the way we pronounce it in our language. I am not sure wheatear or not this is intentional or if it is a grave mistake.

Killer tracks: Blow Your Winds, Far From The End Of The World, Time To Be King, Lonely Winds Of War, The Dark Road, Blue Europa

Roland Grapow guest appearances:

Kotipelto - 'Waiting For The Dawn'

Axel Rudi Pell - 'The Wizards Chosen Few'

Jørn Lande guest appearances:

Avantasia - 'Lost In Space Part 1'

Avantasia - 'Lost In Space Part 2'

Avantasia - 'The Scarecrow'

Avantasia - 'The Wicked Symphony'

Avantasia - 'Angel of Babylon'

Axel Mackenrott guest appearances:

Megadeth - 'United Abominations'

Related artists:

Helloween, Roland Grapow, Jorn, Ark, Yngwie Malmsteen, Vagabond, Mundanus Imperium , Millenium, Riot, Axel Rudi Pell, Rage, Metalium, Zillion, Grimmark