Their first full-length self-titled album Masterplan was released in 2003, produced by Andy Sneap. The band then consisted of Grapow and Kusch with Jørn Lande. The main part of the keyboard lines on the album were arranged and programmed by Roland and Uli. Keyboardist 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 soon after 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 was hired as a permanent member. The band received the "European Border Breakers Award" from the European Commission in 2004, for the debut album success around Europe.
In January 2005, Masterplan released their second album, Aeronautics once again produced by Andy Sneap and the band. After two successful albums and their respective tours, during the writing of the third album the band parted ways with vocalist 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 cancelled by the promoters.
On 4 October 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. Three days later, 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, ex-Axel Rudi Pell). 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 26 February 2007. It was produced this time by the band's actual leader, Roland Grapow himself, at his own studio in Slovakia. It was recorded in September and October 2006.
On 11 January 2009, Mike DiMeo confirmed on his MySpace page that he had parted ways with Masterplan. On 25 July 2009, the band finally revealed that Jørn Lande has made his return to Masterplan. On 16 April 2010, a single titled Far From the End of the World was released to precede the band's new fourth album, Time to Be King, once again produced by Roland Grapow. On 13 July 2011, the band announced on their official website that they were writing songs for a new album. The album was set to be released in March 2013.
In July 2012, it was announced that Martin Marthus Skaroupka (Cradle of Filth drummer) will play on the new Masterplan album. In early November, it was announced that Rick Altzi and Jari Kainulainen would replace Jorn Lande and Jan Eckert on the upcoming album. In November 2012, during an interview with Metal Shock Finland's Chief Editor, Mohsen Fayyazi, when talking about Jorn's departure from the band, Roland stated the following: "Everybody always expects something special from Jorn, but it's a very unstable situation. To keep happy it's not easy and to be honest I've not heard from him for 2 years. Don't get me wrong, we're still friends but we just don't have much contact."
On 21 February 2013, the new album was announced. The title of the album is Novum Initium and it was released on 14 June 2013 through German record label AFM Records.
In an interview made in Italy, on 16 September 2016, Roland Grapow confirmed the addition of At Vance member Kevin Kott as the drummer of the band replacing Martin Marthus Škaroupka whose commitments with his other band Cradle of Filth prevented him for playing shows with Masterplan.
They also announced the release of a new album consisting of re-recordings of Helloween songs written by Roland Grapow from the time he was in the band. The album, PumpKings, was released on 28 July 2017. Grapow stated that the album was not any kind of revenge for being fired from Helloween, or not being invited to their Pumpkins United World Tour in 2017: [fans] all thought it was kind of a revenge or something... now I remember. To me, it's just a relaxing situation [...] I never had this in my mind. It's just a bit coincidental because I delayed this album for two years and it came out at the same time when the reunion tour came.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masterplan_(band)
Studio albums
Masterplan (2003)
Aeronautics (2005)
MK II (2007)
Time to Be King (2010)
Novum Initium (2013)
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In the 1970s, a soul combo called Masterplan recorded "Clinton Park" and other tunes on the De-Lite label.
Dying To Live
Masterplan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And just this once I fall apart
Break these chains
Take these chains
And lift them from my soul
If this time I find a way
Won't you take from me
Dying just to live
Still givin' all I give
Dying just to live
This all I ever did with my soul
I'm burnin' up yeah
And I'm fallin' down
But I never knew all I had I found
In this place I have not know
The feelings I had lost
Oh and if I find another way
The sun will burn on through yeah
Dying just to live
Still givin' all I give
Dying just to live
This all I ever did with my soul
Oh I'm fallin' down
Oh oh I'm fallin' down
Oh I have not found yeah my way
Only time it keeps me hangin' on
Listen just this one and ah I fall apart
Break these chains from me
And take these chains from me
Won't you lift them from my soul
And let me hold
on
The lyrics to Masterplan's song "Dying To Live" is a powerful message about the struggles one faces in life. The song seems to speak about the difficulties of life and how time is the only thing that keeps one going. The lyrics suggest that the singer is going through a difficult time and is at the end of their rope. They are looking for a way out of the situation that they are in, and they are reaching out for help.
The opening line, "Only time keeps me hangin' on," suggests that the only thing that is keeping the singer going is time. The singer feels like they are falling apart and is begging for someone to help them break free from the chains that are holding them back. The lyrics suggest that they have lost a part of themselves and are trying to find their way back.
The chorus, "Dying just to live, still givin' all I give," highlights the internal conflict the singer is facing, where they are trying to continue living despite the struggles they are facing. The lyrics suggest that the singer is determined to overcome their struggles and is willing to give everything they have to make it through.
Overall, "Dying To Live" is a powerful, emotional song that speaks to the human experience of struggle and the need for help and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Only time keeps me hangin' on
The passing of time is the only thing that is keeping me going right now.
And just this once I fall apart
For the first time in a while, I am breaking down and losing control.
Break these chains
I need to be released from the restrictions that are holding me back.
Take these chains
Please remove these obstacles that are weighing me down.
And lift them from my soul
I need to be free from the burdens that are weighing down my spirit.
If this time I find a way
If I can overcome my struggles this time around,
Won't you take from me
Please take away the pain and suffering I am experiencing.
Dying just to live
I am struggling so much that it feels like I am barely alive.
Still givin' all I give
I am continuing to put in effort despite the difficulties I am facing.
This all I ever did with my soul
My entire being is dedicated to this purpose, even if it's painful.
I'm burnin' up yeah
I am feeling intense emotional heat and pressure.
And I'm fallin' down
I am losing my grip and tumbling downwards.
But I never knew all I had I found
Through my struggles, I discovered inner strength and resilience that I didn't know I possessed.
In this place I have not know
I am in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable situation.
The feelings I had lost
I am reconnecting with emotions that I had repressed or forgotten.
Oh and if I find another way
If I can discover a different approach or solution,
The sun will burn on through yeah
There is hope for a brighter future and new beginnings.
Oh I'm fallin' down
I am still struggling and feeling overwhelmed.
Oh oh I'm fallin' down
I continue to feel like I am losing control and descending.
Oh I have not found yeah my way
I am still searching for a path forward that feels true to myself.
Only time it keeps me hangin' on
I am relying on the passage of time to sustain me through this difficult period.
Listen just this one and ah I fall apart
If I am not heard and validated, I may break down completely.
Break these chains from me
Once again, I am pleading to be released from my constraints.
And take these chains from me
I am desperate for someone to take away my burdens.
Won't you lift them from my soul
If someone could lift the weight off my spirit, it would be a great relief.
And let me hold
I need something to hold onto to keep from falling apart.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: - DIMEO, ROLAND GRAPOW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind