Artist

Masterplan

power metal speed metal progressive metal symphonic metal heavy metal

Last updated: 6 days ago

German power metal supergroup Masterplan was founded in 2002 by <a href="spotify:artist:5OWJAKuSdAxdc1WjfYGykP">Ark</a> singer <a href="spotify:artist:1hlBhTQtfsVJTgwLNpKof5">Jorn Lande</a>, guitarist <a href="spotify:artist:62XM2MyQW6ZUA8Mx4gdONS">Roland Grapow</a>, drummer Ulli Kusch (both ex-<a href="spotify:artist:4pQN0GB0fNEEOfQCaWotsY">Helloween</a>), former Iron Saviour bassist Jan S. Eckert, and keyboard player Axel Mackenrott. Shortly after forming, the group issued a five-track EP titled Enlighten Me, then followed it with their eponymous, Andy Sneap-produced full-length debut in 2003; both were supported by European tour dates with <a href="spotify:artist:2o18h28enlHxj887tATc58">Hammerfall</a>. The group's sophomore outing, Aeronautics, arrived in 2005 via <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22AFM+Records%22">AFM Records</a>, and was followed in 2007 by MK II, which featured a new lineup that included former <a href="spotify:artist:2TTfkn3oA5dSvqmvVxjUxR">Riot</a> vocalist Mike DiMeo and new drummer <a href="spotify:artist:4AtQAZV0RUOpCHa20mTWp4">Mike Terrana</a>. 2010's Time to Be King marked the return of co-founder <a href="spotify:artist:1hlBhTQtfsVJTgwLNpKof5">Jorn Lande</a> on vocals, though he, along with Eckert and <a href="spotify:artist:4AtQAZV0RUOpCHa20mTWp4">Terrana</a>, would leave the fold shortly after the LP's release. For the band's fifth full-length, 2013's Novum Initium, <a href="spotify:artist:62XM2MyQW6ZUA8Mx4gdONS">Grapow</a> and Mackenrott (the group's last remaining original members) brought in <a href="spotify:artist:1O8CSXsPwEqxcoBE360PPO">Stratovarius</a> bassist Jari Kainulainen, <a href="spotify:artist:0NTSMFFapnyZfvmCwzcYPd">Cradle of Filth</a> drummer Martin Škaroupka, and <a href="spotify:artist:4alZ73UZp90icEjdKjSIxw">At Vance</a> vocalist Rick Altzi. 2017s Pumpkings featured re-recordings of songs written by <a href="spotify:artist:62XM2MyQW6ZUA8Mx4gdONS">Grapow</a> from the time he played with <a href="spotify:artist:4pQN0GB0fNEEOfQCaWotsY">Helloween</a>. ~ James Christopher Monger, Rovi

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