Masterplan - MKII

Year of Release: 2007
Label: AFM Records
Catalog Number:
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

These themes are what you would expect from Mortal Kombat, Terminator, or Transformers. In this Final Fantasy, Masterplan shreds and tears with metallic blades upon a digital realm in high-resolution. If I didn't know better, I would have thought this was a cartoonist's version of Iced Earth. As I received advanced material, I have no idea what the artwork entails. Yet, the pictures it forms in my head closely resemble the frozen tundra where Ripper Owens hails.

Without further ado, let's exchange blows with the most gifted sparring partners enrolled on this disc:

"Lost and Gone" is about as mainstream as Dream Theater's Falling Into Infinity. The singer rains down like lightning bolts dispelled from James LaBrie or Raiden. Additionally, this tune is so catchy; it may cause spontaneous combustion inside your bowels. I don't know about Bjorn Turoque or the Rockness Monster, but this makes me want to hold an invisible axe whilst coercing its indiscernible strings.

The song called "Keeps Me Burning" is also absorbing as it impales you with the vehemence of Scorpion's injurious spike. With a subtle hint of Richard Marx and Bon Jovi in its midst, it's the ideal mix between what's contemporary and metal. Afterwards, it momentarily moves in a more classical direction then just like that, the guitarist ejects Petrucci-like riffs.

Alternating between the tracks, we are supplied with a combination of power ballads as well as weightier matter, but in every case, we are bombarded with atomically-bombastic bliss.

Pressing onward, "Watching The Worlds" gives the keyboards and Mellotron its due. In this grueling circuit, the singer keeps the blessed curse at bay while the guitarist howls on cue.

Alternatively, "Call The Gypsy" is progressive in a more unpredictable and heavier way. The singer continues to holler and bawl alongside explosive blasts from a truly volatile guitar. He makes it through the bout with the compassionate aid of his corner man, the bassist.

Afterwards, "Trust In You" floats like Kira, but stings like Kintaro. It's the gracious voice of reason and a welcoming light at the end of one tiresome tunnel.

While the song "Masterplan" is as battle-scarred as SlipKnot, "Enemy" is almost as triumphant as Liu Kang winning the eternal tournament of souls. With the victory of a Kumite under his belt and the spoils of war in his treasure trove, "Heart Of Darkness" hearkens success in its quintessentially-bittersweet finale.

Overall, this is slightly cookie-cutter from the consumer's standpoint; however, the shapes and materials it uses are still more intricate than the standard fare. It's a solid performance with a sturdy production. The robust biscuits that result from this competitive bake-off are surely worthy of another perilous round or a subsequently-reckless repeat listen as the reward justifies the risk with each treacherous return to the turntable.

Tracklisting:
Phoenix Rising / Warrior's Cry / Lost And Gone / Keeps Me Burning / Take Me Over / I'm Gonna Win / Watching The World / Call The Gypsy / Trust In You / Masterplan /Enemy / Heart Of Darkness

Musicians:
Mike Terrana - drums
Roland Grapow - guitars
Mike DeMeo - vocals
Jan S Eckert - bass
Axel Mackenrott - keyboards

Discography:
Masterplan (2003)
Back For My Life (ep) (2004)
Aeronautics (2005)
Lost And Gone (ep) (2007)
MKII (2007)
Time To Be King (2010)
Novum Initium (2013)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin DE

Added: May 16th 2007
Reviewer: Joshua "Prawg Dawg" Turner
Score:
Artist website: www.master-plan.net
Hits: 2755
Language: english