Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Masterplan
Label: AFM Records
Release: 2007
Masterplan have been considered one of the best bands of the last few years by critics and fans alike ever since their very first release, the 2003 self-titled album. With excellent power metal driven by the acrobatic, mighty guitar lines of ex-Helloween guitarist Roland Grapow and the fantastic vocals of the incredible Jorn Lande, they won a place in my heart too. With the follow-up, “Aeronautics” in 2005, they only confirmed and cemented that status. Last year they started working on the third record, and that’s also when the infighting in the band began, which soon led to Lande leaving Masterplan over “musical differences.” Another shock for all the fans followed just a few months later, when drummer Uli Kusch (ex-Helloween, ex-Gamma Ray) left the band too. How the hell do you fill such a huge hole?
By recruiting veterans, of course. Lande’s spot was taken by Mike DiMeo (Riot, The Lizards), and the excellent Mike Terrana (ex-Rage) grabbed the drumsticks. And to top it off, they borrowed the name of the new record from the legends Deep Purple and simply called it “MK II,” which of course refers to the band’s new lineup. Personally, I was very skeptical about whether DiMeo would be able to fill the void left by Lande’s departure. I’m glad the worries were unnecessary. “MK II” is a very good record and doesn’t fall far behind its two predecessors. It’s true that DiMeo doesn’t have a vocal as dynamic and melodic as Lande’s, but he sure tries hard to fill his shoes. The comparison isn’t fair, but unfortunately you can’t avoid it.
The album opens with the mighty Phoenix Rising and carries on fiery with the excellent Warrior’s Cry, which recalls Crimson Rider from the previous record. The songs are strong, both on paper and in the performance. DiMeo is a great choice, Roland Grapow’s guitars are front and center again, and Terrana is a bit of a letdown, since I expected more from him than just plain pounding. Well, he’ll surely prove himself better on future records. There are keyboards on the album too, but they’re less intrusive than before. There are fewer sugary pop metal tracks on the record, since the songs mostly keep up the fast tempo set by Warrior’s Cry. And the tracks that recall the excellent Enlighten Me from the debut don’t lag behind either – Lost and Gone, Keeps Me Burning, Watching the World and Call of the Gypsy. The last one especially sounds very fresh and is something new in the Masterplan repertoire. The song Masterplan will surely become the band’s anthem and a live favorite, one that will have fans screaming along at the band’s shows without a second thought: “Ma-ster-plan!!!”
The two new members brought a new sound to the lineup, but not as pronounced as you might expect. The true Masterplan sound is still alive, it’s just that the drums lack a bit of dynamics, while DiMeo’s vocals are slightly more anonymous, or if you like, more “ordinary,” than Lande’s. His singing works really well in the softer, calmer parts, where he wins over even a skeptic like me. But don’t worry, Masterplan obviously don’t know how to disappoint, and despite a few minor flaws, “MK II” is still a very solid, even very good product. It’s true that it doesn’t reach the excellence of its two predecessors, but fans of melodic heavy or power metal won’t be disappointed this time either. The new lineup has a bright future ahead, and I think they’ll have no major trouble reaching the quality of “MK I.”
Lineup
Mike DiMeo – vocals
Roland Grapow – guitar
Jan S. Eckert – bass guitar
Axel Mackenrott – keyboards
Mike Terrana – drums
Production
Roland Grapow & Masterplan
Track List
1. Phoenix Rising
2. Warrior’s Cry
3. Lost And Gone
4. Keeps me Burning
5. Take Me Over
6. I’m Gonna Win
7. Watching The World
8. Call The Gypsy
9. Trust In You
10. Masterplan
11. Enemy
12. Heart Of Darkness
