Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Masterplan - Metalmorphosis (2026)
Masterplan was formed with the "masterplan" to shape up power metal in the new millennium. It was formed by Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch of Helloween after that band's 2000 album The Dark Ride. Originally a side-project, Masterplan became their main band after they were both fired from Helloween. Some of the members strengthening their sound including vocalist Jorn Lande and bassist Jan-Soren Eckert (formerly of Iron Savior). Albums like their 2003 self-titled debut have displayed their magnificent talent, and they still stand tall in the midst of various lineup changes. But now their lineup is stabilized for their new album, Metalmorphosis!
Roland Grapow and keyboardist Axel Mackenrott are the only two longtime members still in the band since the early 2000s. The new lineup is as greatly effective as the earlier ones. We have Jari Kainulainen (ex-Stratovarius) on bass and Kevin Kott on drums, a rhythm section that can really help out with the atmosphere and heaviness. The vocals of Rick Altzi are distinct and set him apart from Lande, having that gravelly range with more of a raw edge. And this is the same lineup who released that Helloween cover album PumpKings last decade, so this is the first time we have two albums from the band with the lineup intact. Grapow's production skills give the album's sound some punch, almost as much as their 2003 debut. This may even be a stylistic sequel to the debut too, and why is that? Read on...
The anthemic opener "Chase the Light begins the album just like how the debut starts, with cinematic keys and marching percussion leading into swift riffing and drumming. Flying through this heavy darkness is the massive vocals by Altzi and brilliant shredding by Grapow. Leveling up the pace a bit, "Electric Nights" sounds like it could've been a duet with a guest vocalist, and while it isn't, it's still enjoyable. The more beastly mid-tempo "Shadow Man" shows their more aggressive side. The keys and guitars are more diverse-sounding, though there could've been a little more impact there.
"Bound to Fall" makes up for that a bit with its heavy might, bound to level up the album's strength. There's even a bit of Middle-Eastern vibes in the groovy "Pain of Yesterday" which is pretty cool. The title track is absolutely crushing in the bass and drums, and the speedy guitar shows that Grapow still has some Helloween within him. The thrashy "Through the Storm" almost surpasses the previous track in terms of aggression and highlight status.
Catchy melody appears in "Ghostlight", which nicely throws back to the band's first two albums. We reach a home run in the 8-minute "The Call" which is more progressive than the band has gone before, all in perfect structure. However, the album doesn't end until one more marching banger "Rise Again", released as a single two years prior.
Metalmorphosis can indeed be considered a metamorphosis of everything Masterplan has done in not just the beginning but also the years that followed and the new stuff from present day. They still have the energy they've had since the initial Jorn Lande era, and Roland Grapow has maintained the ambitious diversity of his guitarwork. It's been well worth the wait fans have had since PumpKings. It's a near-perfect return to form for the band. I'm glad to have finally gotten into listening to Masterplan a year before this review, because now I can witness what longtime fans enjoy from the band in both their earlier and new material. Darkness and heaviness are what I like in power metal. If you haven't heard this album yet, you should. If you have but not yet their earlier material, you should. The masterplan is practically achieved!
Favorites: "Chase the Light", "Bound to Fall", "Metalmorphosis", "Through the Storm", "The Call"