MASTERPLAN guitarist Roland Grapow (ex-HELLOWEEN) has checked in with the following update:

"Hi!

I just came back from Hamburg two days ago from our final arrangement session with Axel in his studio, for our new songs. That means we finished our songwriting, finally. This week we just do some prepairing for the big recording session on Sunday. Martin is coming to my studio in Slovakia, we will start recording drums from Monday on.

We have written 20 tracks, which are of course the best we ever wrote bla bla haha ; ). We might pick just 13 or 14 tracks on the end, to be honest, we are very happy with the result! Our magic is still there.

In September I will lay down all my guitar stuff and bass, vocals will be recorded around November. Axel records his keys in his studio in Hamburg,

mixing in December. We are planning to finish the album till January

Release date March 2013

And yes, we have touring plans this time.... maybe a big surprise package with some other great bands...keep the fingers crossed! I'll date you up soon."

As previously reported, Masterplan have tapped drummer Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka (CRADLE OF FILTH) for new their album.

Grapow commented: "We are very happy that we found Martin, he is a very talented and powerful drummer and besides that he is an amazing gifted songwriter."

Skaroupka added: "I feel honored that the band has chosen me to record drums on the new Masterplan album! I have always been a huge fan of Masterplan's music and I am indeed looking forward to record the new Masterplan album! This is going to be a blast, no doubt about it!"