Novum Initium / Masterplan (2013)

1. Per Aspera Ad Astra

2. The Game

3. Keep Your Dream Alive

4. Black Night of Magic

5. Betrayal

6. No Escape

7. Pray On My Soul

8. Earth Is Going Down

9. Return From Avalon

10. Through Your Eyes

11. Novum Initium

Unfortunately, Jorn left the band once again, and Rick Altzi (Thunderstone/At Vance) joined the band as a new singer. Even though his voice type is very different from Jorn's, he is also has powerful low to mid range. Their last album is still one of my favorite playlist. It had many dramatic songs, yet it was not so commercial friendly. The first impression of this album was that it sounded more like their first album. Songs are more varied and colorful than the last one.

After the opening SE, the album starts with a perfect opening tune, track 1. It reminded me of songs like "Sprit Never Die" and "Crimson Rider". The track 2 is the single from the album. I don't know why, but they always choose mid-tempo tunes as their singles. Overall, they put more up-tempo tunes in this album and created easiness to listen through the album. Tracks 3, 5, and 9 have the same feeling as their first album. 

Before I listened to the album, I was a bit skeptical about the matching of Rick Altzi and Masterplan, but I think he fit well in the sound. I am pretty sure he would manage singing songs from their past catalogues as well. I heard that they would actively play on tour this time and am hoping that they would come to Japan once again.

☆☆☆☆

Time To Be King / Masterplan (2010)

1. Fiddle Of Time

2. Blow Your Winds

3. Far From The End Of The World

4. Time To Be King

5. Lonely Winds Of War

6. The Dark Road

7. The Sun Is In Your Hands

8. The Black One

9. Blue Europe

10. Under The Moon

Another member change has happened, and Jorn Lande came back to the band. It was a happy news for me since I thought he was one of the factors that was making this band very unique. My first impression was that this album did not have any catchy songs. I went through really quickly, and nothing really caught my attention. However, as I listened more carefully, I came to the conclusion that the band finally established their music style.

In their past albums, there was at least one catchy power metal tunes such as "Heroes", "Sail On", "Wounds", and "Keeps Me Burning". Nevertheless, this album does not have that kind of song, yet the band plays Masterplan style dramatic metal from track 1. This album may not have catchiness and pop essence that catch people's attention for the first time listening. But, I realized the true value of each song as I listened to them more and more. 

Each song is very dramatic, and Axel Mackenrott did such a great job with his keyboard play. Keyboard is making solemn mood. Jorn's vocal really stands out in this kind of songs. I think the band finally reached to the point that they were initially heading to. This album became my favorite of this band. Unfortunately, Jorn Lande left the band again, but I hope the band will keep this musical direction. 

☆☆☆☆

MK II / Masterplan (2007)

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

The second album was the true first album that Masterplan established themselves as a band. However, the gypsy singer, Jorn Lande, left the band. Uli, who was one of the central figures, left the band as well. It was a  big loss for the band, especially Jorn, who was making this band unique among other power metal bands. Make DiMeo (ex-Riot) and Mike Terrana (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) joined the band. 

Musically, they did not change at all in this album. They kept the same music direction that they were heading in the first two albums. Jorn was a big loss, but DiMeo's voice really matches with the band even though his voice was not as deep as Jorn. Uli was not just a drummer but also a great composer, but I did not find any problem as far as songwriting. The album has catchy metal tunes such as tracks 2, 4, 7, and 11. However, I think their unique identity lies in non-typical power metal songs such as tracks 3, 6, 9, and 12. These songs are not fast but very dramatic and has good melody lines. One thing really bothered me about Uli's play was that he sometimes played "too much". He is definitely a skillful drummer but not very groovy. Terrana is doing good job making groove with the band.

Those two members' departure was definitely a big loss for the band. Nevertheless, they prevented the loss in minimum. They pushed their style and music forward and made another good record.

☆☆☆☆

Aeronautics / Masterplan (2005)

1. Crimson Rider

2. Back For My Life

3. Wounds

4. I'm Not Afraid

5. Headbanger's Ball Room

6. After This War

7. Into The Arena

8. Dark From The Dying

9. Falling Sparrow

10. Back In The Burn

The last album was a high quality metal album, but the most of the songs were written before they had a permanent vocal. Therefore, they did not write songs anticipating Jorn singing, so this album is the first one they made as a band. Jorn's strength lies on low to mid-range voice. This album features his voice well. 

As I mentioned before, what makes this band unique and not a typical power metal band is Jorn's voice. The lead single, track 2, is a heavy and slow yet very dramatic and features Jorn's voice well. The only typical melodic power metal song, track 3, sounds bit strange in this album even though the song itself is good. I think the highlight of this album is track 4. It is very powerful, and the minor melody really matches with Jorn's voice. The same thing can applies to tracks 6 and 9. When Jorn sings minor melody, it sounds much more sad than other singers. The progressive number, track 10, is very dramatic and cool as well.

This album does not have as much impact as the last album, but they featured Jorn's voice better this time, and the band became tighter this time.

☆☆☆☆

Masteplan / Masterplan (2003)

1. Spirit Never Die

2. Kind Hearted Light

3. Soulburn

4. Heroes (Feat. Michael Kiske)

5. Into The Light

6. Through Thick And Thin (Bonus Track)

7. Crawling From Hell

8. Crystal Night

9. The Kid Rocks On (Bonus Track)

10. Sail On

11. When Love Comes Close

After they were fired from their old band, Roland and Uli formed their own band, Masterplan. I was really curious what kind of music that they were heading. Weiki claimed that Roland and Uli had a lot of influence in their last album, "The Dark Ride". They wanted to play some heavy and modern music. Well, this is the answer from them. I was really surprised by this album. The vocal, Jorn Lande, is definitely the one making this album very unique and not a typical power metal band. He has really strong and deep voice, often describe as David Coverdale type. In fact, in some songs, he really sounds like Coverdale. 

As you see, the track list is Japanese edition and very different from other places. "Enlighten Me" was only released as a single and not included in the album. The order is very different as well. Musically, it has some typical power metal songs such as Tracks 1, 2, 4, and 10. Especially, track 4 which features Michael Kiske is a highlight of this album. Nevertheless, the ones that make this band unique are the songs such as tracks 3, 5, 6, and 11. Those songs are very dramatic and really feature Jorn's voice. Another surprise for me was Roland's guitar play. He was known as a one of Yngwie's follower, but his guitar play in this album shows more standard rock/metal influence. When I watched their live, he was playing Les-Paul guitars. 

As a conclusion, it was a high quality metal album. I think this band appeals to not only power metal fans but also metal fans in general. The album shows their guts to overcome the tragedy and hope for the future. It is really ironic, but two departures of important members from Helloween created another two great metal bands, Gamma Ray and Masterplan.

☆☆☆☆