Reviews list for Masterplan - Aeronautics (2005)

I can almost consider Masterplan the Immortal Disfigurement of power metal. A member or two from a popular band end up fired and starting their own band, and the rest of the lineup consists of other members who have been in well-known bands. It's like a Helloween/Iron Savior/Gamma Ray/Ark supergroup of sorts! For those expecting them to be power metal, you are right, but there are some different aspects...

The falsetto vocals, speedy drumming, and background keyboards are there albeit to a lesser degree. Vocalist Jorn Lande has mentioned enjoying rock more than metal, which explains that direction in their second album Aeronautics. He would later leave the band due to musical differences, followed by drummer Uli Kusch shortly after.

"Crimson Rider" begins the album as an epic string-filled standout. Then they lower the tempo in the eerie "Back for my Life". Next up, "Wounds" switches to more of that anthemic power metal. I can definitely visualize that song getting the crowd going and singing along in venues and arenas. "I'm Not Afraid" is another emotional mid-paced track. It's practically a sequel to the debut's "Enlighten Me" which I still prefer.

Things become more rock-ish in the next song "Headbangers Ballroom" while leveling up the guitar heaviness. "After This War" is an interesting song. It's a cover of a song from Jan S. Eckert's other band Iron Savior which he took a break from to focus on Masterplan. I haven't heard the original song, but after hearing this cover, I would definitely want to. Apparently, Eckert sings with that band's lead vocalist Piet Selick in the original, whereas all the vocals in this version are done by Jorn. "Into the Arena" is quite cool, though I probably would enjoy it more if it doesn't have too much of the hard rock of Whitesnake.

There are some killer guitars in "Dark from the Dying" which wouldn't have been good without them. The best track here is "Falling Sparrow". There's just so much catchy emotion here, perfect for the radio! One track that comes close to surpassing the previous one is nearly 10-minute closing epic "Black in the Burn". It gives some of the best guitar from Roland Grapow and the best keyboard/piano from Axel Mackenrott. The bonus track "Treasure World" doesn't excite me much, but the band's talent is still there.

The conflict between Jorn wanting to continue the rock-ish direction and Uli wanting more of the usual power metal caused those two members to leave the band separately. Nonetheless, Aeronautics shows an excellent blend of those two sides. Honestly, some rock is good for their metal, though not too much. They shall stay metal!

Favorites: "Crimson Rider", "Wounds", "After This War", "Falling Sparrow", "Black in the Burn"