Review | Masterplan – Metalmorphosis

Frontiers Music

The German power metal band Masterplan was founded in 2001 by Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch and they released five studio album (and one cover album called `PumpKings’), of which the debut album ‘Masterplan’ (2003) and the sophomore album ‘Aeronautics’ (2005), featuring lead singer Jorn Lande, were definitely their best ones in the Masterplan catalogue.

RICK ALTZI

However, to be quite frank at a certain point I lost track of this amazing band, and I even “missed” their last studio album called ‘Novum Initium’ (2013), featuring the new vocalist, Rick Altzi. Now, after a “thirteen years” hiatus Masterplan is back, and they are back vigorously, as their sixth studio album called ‘Metalmorphosis,’ which is a nice pun, by the way, is a 100% power metal gem!

Masterplan, of the year 2026, consists of: founder Roland Grapow (guitars), Rick Altzi (vocals), Axel Mackenrott (keys), Jari Kainulainen (bass guitar) and Kevin Kott (drums). ‘Metalmorphosis’ contains ten brand new songs and the first single, ,,Rise Again”, packed with chunky, raw riffs and a heavy catchy chorus, was already released in 2024… so, two years ago we already had an idea what was coming….

CLASSIC POWER METAL

This new Masterplan album is 100% classic power metal, featuring their well-known musical characteristics, being: powerful, melodic, bombastic songs, played with new energy and true conviction. The title track is one of the many highlights of this wonderful “come back” album, as it is a bombastic up tempo power metal monster, featuring grand guitar riffs and hooks, Evergrey-like vocals and melodies and also an utterly impressive guitar solo by the master himself.

,,The Call”, a power ballad and metal anthem for sure, is remarkably diverse with loud and quiet musical passages, as well as powerful guitar solos and heartfelt vocals by Altzi (Lars Rickard Thornberg). ,,Chase The Light”, the new single of this album, is another milestone here, being an up tempo, bombastic 100% Masterplan track, with riffs, hooks, and speedy solos galore! ,,Shadow Man” is another heavy power ballad featuring two fast high-pitched guitar solos, while ,,Pain Of Yesterday” is an almost classic hard rock, power ballad, again with emotional vocals!

MASTERPLAN – THE CONCLUSION

And I have to say that Grapow really plays his ass off on this album, as his guitar work on ‘Metalmorphosis’ is really second to none! Welcome back, Masterplan, play it LOUD and enjoy. Masterplan will be playing in Den Bosch on 24 April, so be there!!

Listening tip: ,,Metalmorphosis”

Release date: 26 June 2026