MASTERPLAN - Masterplan
January 9, 2003, 21 years ago
(AFM)
Another in a recent rash of 'supergroup' releases (second by AFM, with Dionysus), Masterplan issued an imported, pre-release EP, whereas the 11 cuts comprising the full-length debut will be available domestically. The backbone of the band is a pair of ex-Helloweenies: guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch, although vocalist Jorn Lande (Ark/ex-Malmsteen) is no slouch. Michael Kiske, himself ex-Helloween, guests on 'Heroes'. The album almost completely divorces itself from Helloween, preferring a more orchestrated, '70s progressive hard rock (early heavy metal?) vibe. First single, 'Enlighten Me' is an exception, built on orchestral chorals and an infectious chorus. Definitely a look forward, not back. 'Kind Hearted Light' comes from the Nightwish/Rhapsody school of New Millennium metal. 'Crystal Night', a warning culled from Germany's past, has a crunch of guitars missing elsewhere on Masterplan, apart from 'Bleeding Eyes'. Ending with a Coverdale-styled love song ('When Love Comes Close') is an odd choice, but the final version will include a second CD, complete with interview and computer extras.
