With vocal wunderkind Jorn Lande back in the fold, Germany's severely underrated heavy metal maestros Masterplan seem poised to renew their crusade for greater recognition. After all, when you hear Jorn enliven such narrative driven tracks as "Far From the End Of The World" and "Blue Europa," you are going to wonder why the sextet aren't up there with the established names like Gamma Ray or Helloween. On it's opening jaunt of lyrical wonder, keyboardist Axel Mackenrott and axeman Roland Grapow busy themselves painting a lush backdrop for Jorn to work his magic. This is heard throughout the album, since Jorn is very much the heart and soul of the band. Everyone else basically breathe life into a viable melody and eschew fancy flourishes like contemplative guitar solos and the tiresome symphonic crap.Once the fireworks are over with the band go on somber mode for "Blow Your Winds." Awkward song title to be honest (kinda reminiscent of Spinal tap's own "Break the Wind"). But it's a solid tune where Jorn delivers a self-empowering message about succeeding on your own terms. From the personal to the cosmic, Masterplan switch gears for the album's initial single "Far From The End Of the World," whose sci-fi theme makes it a perfect candidate for a potential Mass Effect 2 OST. Its lyrics deal with intergalactic explorers who discover a habitable corner of a new galaxy, only to realize they no longer have a Planet Earth to call home. It's a compelling piece of storytelling that speaks volume of Masterplan's talent.
The band flex their muscles on the spine tingling title track where Jorn does his best to make the chorus soar. "Lonely Winds Of War" and "the Sun is In Your Hands" are cast in the same mold, but the emotional syrup doesn't drip from your speakers until the lovelorn "The Dark Road" spins a yarn dealing with heartbreak and loss. By "Blue Europa" matters have taken a turn for the dramatic as the band take on almost 50 years of European history with a deftness that would put Iced Earth to shame. As the curtains fall on this comeback opus, "Under The Moon" inspires our awe and by the time Masterplan have bowed out, we're grateful for the hour's worth of top notch diversion they've created. If 'solid' were a viable criteria, this album would be the epitome of 'solid' releases.
Tracklisting
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 Europa
10. Under The Moon