Masterplan

Infobox musical artist
Name = Masterplan


Img_capt = Masterplan 2007
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Germany
United States of America
Genre = Power metal, Heavy metal
Years_active = 2001 - present
Label =
URL =
Current_members = Mike DiMeo
Roland Grapow
Jan S. Eckert
Axel Mackenrott
Mike Terrana
Past_members = Jørn Lande
Jürgen Attig
Janne Wirman
Uli Kusch
Associated_acts = Helloween, Iron Savior, Rage

Masterplan is a German-American power metal band founded by Uli Kusch and Roland Grapow upon leaving Helloween.

Biography

"Masterplan" was formed in 2002 by Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch, after the two were fired from the power metal band Helloween in the Autumn of 2001. The first MCD "Enlighten Me" was released on November 18th, 2002.

Their first full-length album "Masterplan" was released in 2003. The band then consisted of Grapow and Kusch with vocalist Jørn Lande. The main part of the keyboard lines in the album were arranged and programmed by Roland and Uli, while Children of Bodom keyboard player Janne "Warman" Wirman actually recorded some session for the album, but could not stay on as a full time member due to his commitments to Children of Bodom. Axel Mackenrott replaced him on tour and since then as a permanent member. Studio bassist Jeurgen Attig (Casanova) helped with some bass lines of the recordings, but own Grapow was the main bassist of the recording sessions. For tour and subsequent recordings, Jan-Sören Eckert (Iron Savior) was hired.

The band received the "European Border Breakers" award in 2004 from the European Commission.

In 2005 Masterplan released their second album, "Aeronautics".

During the writing of the third album the band parted ways with singer Jørn Lande, citing "musical differences" as the reason for the split. The split was amicable enough that Jørn agreed to perform four previously arranged live appearances before departing although two of these were eventually canceled by the promoters.

On Oct 5th, 2006 Uli Kusch announced his departure from the band in an interview with Darkside.ru. Although not discussing the details of what happened, he mentioned the democratic principles of making decisions in the band as one of the reasons of his leaving - according to him, it often made getting a consensus nearly impossible.

They toured with Saxon as a tribute band on Saxon's Inner Sanctum tour.

On October 7th, Masterplan announced their new line-up through their official web site: Grapow, Mackenrott, Eckert, with new members Mike DiMeo (Riot, The Lizards) and Mike Terrana (ex-Artension, ex-Rage, Metalium).

The album, suitably titled MK II, was released on 26th February 2007 and while sucessfull never captured the original Masterplan magic that Jorn Lande brought . Sum fans were puzzled by the "Americanization" of the sound of the band and to this day long for the return of Jorn Lande. Andy Sneap, who produced the two previous albums, was utilized again when the album was recorded in September and October 2006.

On August 27th 2007, the band has announced that they were going to write their 4th album. The band is currently busy writing the album, and they hope to be working with Roy Z, who was involved in the making of their first two albums, during the recordings. The new album is scheduled for an early 2009 release.

Line-up

* Mike DiMeo - lead vocals (2006–present)
* Roland Grapow - lead & rhythm guitars, session bass (2001–present)
* Jan S. Eckert - bass, backing vocals (2003–present)
* Axel Mackenrott - keyboards (2003–present)
* Mike Terrana - drums (2006–present)

Former Members

* Jørn Lande - lead vocals (2001–2006)
* Uli Kusch - drums (2001–2006)
* Janne Wirman - session keyboards (2002)
* Jürgen Attig - session bass (2002)
* Russell Allen - Vocals (guest)

Discography

Albums

* "Masterplan" (2003)
* "Aeronautics" (2005)
* "MK II" (2007)

EPs

* "Enlighten Me" (2002)
* "Back For My Life" (2004)
* "Lost and Gone" (2007)

External links

* [http://www.master-plan.net Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/masterplanmetal Masterplan MySpace page]
* [http://br.geocities.com/masterclanmp/index.htm Masterplan fanclub page]