Year : 2013
Style : Melodic Heavy Metal , Melodic Power Metal
Country : Germany
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 171 mb
Bio:
Masterplan is a German power metal band, founded by guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch upon leaving Helloween in 2001.At the end of autumn 2001 during Helloween's "The Dark Ride Tour". Roland Grapow, present in the band since 1989, and Uli Kusch from 1994, decided to form a side project. Shortly after this decision, both were fired from their long-time job in Helloween. Born the name "Masterplan" based on the idea that they would be master musicians with the future in their hands, in the words of the Headbanger - Gerardo Trevino Garza (Creator of the name), starts the newest power metal band of the new millennium. Roland subsequently invited for keyboards Janne Wirman, which at that time played in the band Children Of Bodom. For vocals, Russell Allen was invited but had to decline the invitation since he was firm in his own band Symphony X. A second invitation was made for Michael Kiske, who also rejected the proposal, claiming that he wanted to keep away from the metal scene. After contact with Norwegian band Ark famous album Burn The Sun and subsequently the album Worldchanger, singer Jørn Lande was invited. Jørn accepted the invitation, completing the band after about six months of the beginning of the project.Their first full-length self-titled album, Masterplan was released in 2003, produced by Andy Sneap. The band then consisted of Grapow and Kusch with Jørn Lande. The main part of the keyboard lines on the album were arranged and programmed by Roland and Uli, while keyboard player Janne "Warman" Wirman recorded some sessions for the album, but could not stay on as a full-time member due to his commitments to Children of Bodom. Axel Mackenrott replaced him on tour and since then as a permanent member. Studio bassist Jürgen Attig (Casanova) helped with some bass lines on the recordings, but Grapow was the main bassist for the album. For tour and subsequent recordings, Jan-Sören Eckert was hired as a permanent member.The band received the "European Border Breakers Award" from the European Commission in 2004, for the debut album success around Europe.In January 2005 Masterplan released their second album, Aeronautics once again produced by Andy Sneap and the band. After two successful albums and their respective tours, during the writing of the third album the band parted ways with vocalist Jørn Lande, citing "musical differences" as the reason for the split.The split was amicable enough that Jørn agreed to perform four previously arranged live appearances before departing although two of these were eventually canceled by the promoters.On October 4, 2006 Uli Kusch announced his departure from the band in an interview with Darkside.ru. Although not discussing the details of what had happened, he mentioned the democratic principles of making decisions in the band as one of the reasons of his leaving - according to him, it often made getting a consensus nearly impossible.[3] Three days later, Masterplan announced their new line-up through their official web site: Grapow, Mackenrott, Eckert, with new members Mike DiMeo (Riot, The Lizards) and Mike Terrana (ex-Artension, ex-Rage, Metalium). The band toured with Saxon as an opening act for Saxon's Inner Sanctum tour.The band's third album, suitably titled MK II, was released on February 26, 2007. It was produced this time by the band's actual leader, Roland Grapow himself, at his own studio in Slovakia. The album was recorded in September and October 2006.On January 11, 2009, Mike DiMeo confirmed on his MySpace page that he had parted ways with Masterplan.On July 25, 2009, the band finally revealed that Jørn Lande has made his return to Masterplan.On April 16, 2010, a single titled Far From the End of the World was released to precede the band's new fourth album, Time To Be King, once again produced by Roland Grapow.On July 13, 2011, the band has announced in their official website that they were writing songs for a new album. The album is set to be released in March 2013.In July 2012, it was announced that Martin Marthus Skaroupka (Cradle of Filth drummer) will play on the new Masterplan album.In early November, it was announced that Rick Altzi and Jari Kainulainen would replace Jorn Lande and Jan Eckert on the upcoming album.[9] In November 2012, during an interview with Metal Shock Finland's Chief Editor, Mohsen Fayyazi, when talking about Jorn's departure from the band, Roland stated the following: "Everybody always expects something special from Jorn, but it’s a very unstable situation. To keep happy it’s not easy and to be honest I’ve not heard from him for 2 years. Don’t get me wrong, we’re still friends but we just don’t have much contact."On February 21, 2013 the new album was announced. The title of the album is Novum Initium and it was released on June 14, 2013 through German record label AFM Records.
Album:
MASTERPLAN is a Heavy / Power Metal band from Hamburg, Germany. The band was originally formed by ex-HELLOWEEN members Roland Grapow (guitar) and Uli Kusch (drums) in 2002. Along with the Norwegian vocalist Jorn Lande, the band released 3 studio. Three years after their last effort, the multinational melodic metallers are about to release their fifth full-length album entitled "Novum Initium" via AFM Records with new line-up. New drummer, Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka (CRADLE OF FILTH), renowned singer Rick Altzi (AT VANCE, SANDALINAS, THUNDERSTONE), who replaced Jorn Lande and bassist Jari Kainulainen (STRATOVARIUS, SYMFONIA, DEVIL'S TRAIN, ex-EVERGREY). As you can see, this is a lineup of veterans.The intro, “Per Aspera Ad Astra”, opening the album, is a fantastic sounding short instrumental with orchestral elements. “The Game”, the album's debut single has the fine Euro Symphonic Power Metal feel with a great melodic chorus singing in high altitudes of sound, diverse rhythm sections that might indicate of progression, commendable soloing and keyboards playing “Keep Your Dream Alive” caught me with its chorus, when a touching atmosphere mixed well with stronger riffs and the wall of keyboards played by Axel Mackenrott. “Betrayal” is an impressive melodic Metal effort bearing powerful riffs and a magnificent solo, though common to the band, yet still blasting. “Black Night Of Magic” is an energetic scorcher in the vein of STRATOVARIUS, immensely memorable with its chorus, Power Metal by the book. Title track. “Novum Initium”, is an epic song providing the band's wits on producing tremendous Power Metal along with progressive elements and a few orchestral arrangements. “No Escape”, a fantastic blending great melodies of sheer Power Metal force. “Return From Avalon” strikes as an epic Heavy Metal classic like the best of them. “Earth Is Going Down” a bit more symphonic orchestrated integrated low tuned guitaring and complex rhythms. “Pray On My Soul”, a soft induced tracker with enticing halo of keyboards, same goes with the balladry of “Through Your Eyes” where there is also an awesome guitar work of rhythm and lead.MASTERPLAN didn't lose their touch, even with this so called refreshed lineup, still composing catchy melodies and epic features. Every song on this album is made solid and very enjoyable to listen. Therefore, the changed line-up wasn't a bad idea after all. Surely fans of Power Metal wouldn't be disappointed by MASTERPLAN.
Line-Up:
Rick Altzi - Vocals (2012-present) - See also: At Vance, Epysode, Frequency, Herman Frank, Sandalinas, Thunderstone, ex-Sanity, ex-Treasure Land
Roland Grapow - Guitars (2001-present) - See also: Roland Grapow, ex-Helloween, ex-Rampage
Axel Mackenrott - Keyboards (2002-present) - See also: ex-Beautiful Sin, ex-Gamma Ray (live)
Jari Kainulainen - Bass (2012-present) - See also: Elias Viljanen, Voluspaa (live), ex-Symfonia, ex-Mess, Devil's Train, ex-Evergrey, ex-Killing Machine, ex-Kotipelto, ex-Stratovarius, ex-Heat
Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka - Drums (2012-present) - See also: Cradle of Filth, Inner Fear, Mantas, Titanic (live), ex-Entrails, ex-Nemesis, ex-Galactic Industry, ex-Pandemia, ex-Symphonity, ex-Monastery
Tracklist:
01. Per Aspera Ad Astra
02. The Game
03. Keep Your Dream Alive
04. Black Night Of Magic
05. Betrayal
06. No Escape
07. Pray On My Soul
08. Earth Is Going Down
09. Return From Avalon
10. Through Your Eyes
11. Novum Initium
12. 1492 (Bonus Track)
13. Fear The Silence (Bonus track)
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