Masterplan

This article needs references that appear in reliable third-party publications. Primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please add more appropriate citations from reliable sources. (April 2008)

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

Biography

Masterplan was formed in August 2001^[1] by Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch, after the two were fired from the power metal band Helloween ^[2]. The first MCD Enlighten Me was released on November 18, 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 on the album were arranged and programmed by Roland and Uli, while Children of Bodom keyboard player Janne "Warman" Wirman recorded some sessions 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 Jürgen Attig (Casanova) helped with some bass lines on the recordings, but Grapow was the main bassist for the album. For tour and subsequent recordings, Jan-Sören Eckert (Iron Savior) was hired as a permanent member.

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 4th, 2006 Uli Kusch announced his departure from the band in an interview with Darkside.ru. Although not discussing the details of what had 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.

On October 7, 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 band toured with Saxon as an opening act for Saxon's Inner Sanctum tour.

The band's third album, suitably titled MK II, was released on February 26th, 2007. Andy Sneap, who produced the two previous albums, was utilized again when the album was recorded in September and October 2006.

On August 27, 2007, the band 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 2010 release.

On January 11, 2009, Mike DiMeo confirmed on his MySpace page that he had parted ways with Masterplan. ^[3]

On July 25, 2009, the band finally revealed that Jørn Lande has made his return to Masterplan. ^[4]

Members

Current members

• Jørn Lande - lead vocals (2001–2006, 2009–present )
• Roland Grapow - guitars (2001–present)
• Jan S. Eckert - bass, backing vocals (2003–present)
• Axel Mackenrott - keyboards (2003–present)
• Mike Terrana - drums (2006–present)

Former Members

• Mike DiMeo - lead vocals (2006–2009)
• Uli Kusch - drums (2001–2006)

Guest & session musicians

• Jürgen Attig - session bass (2002)
• Janne Wirman - session keyboards (2002)
• Ferdy Doernberg - keyboards on "Into the Light" on Masterplan (2003)
• Michael Kiske - vocals on "Heroes" on Masterplan (2003)
• Russell Allen - vocals on demos (2001)

Discography

Albums

• Masterplan (2003)
• Aeronautics (2005)
• MK II (2007)
• 4th Masterplan Album (early 2010)

EPs

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

References

External links

• Official Website
• Masterplan MySpace page
• Masterplan fanclub page