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.
I'm Not Afraid
Masterplan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dark soul in pain
My eyes cry softly in the pouring rain
Rising from the ashes where the fire took it's toll
And the wheel keeps turning
As the wind is blowing cold
I'm not afraid you know
My heart is pounding in the night
I seek the light, I seek the light, oh yeah
Unleashed is the power
In the spirit of my dream
I've been tearing down the fences
Always trying to achieve, yeah
Come back to the living
Let your sorrow come undone
Cause you have to believe it
From your grief you can run
I'm not afraid you know
I'm not afraid to rock the show
My heart is pounding in the night, I seek the light
I'm not afraid you know, I'm not afraid
I'm a pagan far away from home, I'm coming home
I'm not afraid you know
I'm not afraid to rock the show
My heart is pounding in the night.
I seek the light
I'm not afraid you know, I'm not afraid
I am a pagan far away from home
I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid
My heart is calling from afar, coming home
The lyrics of Masterplan's song "I'm Not Afraid" convey a message of personal empowerment and overcoming adversity. The imagery of "black oil on water" and "dark soul in pain" suggests a sense of despair or heaviness, but the musician insists that they are not afraid to "rock the show" and face their challenges. The reference to "rising from the ashes where the fire took its toll" implies a rebirth or transformation after experiencing pain or loss.
The chorus repeats the mantra "I'm not afraid" as a declaration of courage, and the lyrics suggest that the singer is driven by a spiritual, almost pagan energy. The lines "unleashed is the power in the spirit of my dream" and "I've been tearing down the fences always trying to achieve" emphasize a sense of determination and drive to pursue one's goals, even if it means overcoming obstacles and enduring hardship.
The final lines of the chorus, "I am a pagan far away from home, I'm coming home," could be interpreted as a metaphor for finding oneself or reconnecting with one's spiritual roots. Overall, "I'm Not Afraid" is a song about resilience and inner strength in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Black oil on water
There is darkness and negativity around me, symbolized by the black oil on water.
Dark soul in pain
I am going through a difficult time emotionally and mentally, represented by the dark soul in pain.
My eyes cry softly in the pouring rain
I am expressing my sadness and vulnerability by tears rolling down my eyes amidst a pouring rain.
Rising from the ashes where the fire took it's toll
Despite having been through a devastating experience, I am still rising from it, like ashes left after a fire has taken its toll.
And the wheel keeps turning
Despite the ups and downs I have been through, life keeps moving on, symbolized by the wheel that keeps turning.
As the wind is blowing cold
I am feeling vulnerable and exposed to the harshness of life, symbolized by the cold wind blowing.
I'm not afraid you know
I am not scared to face the challenges that life throws my way.
I'm not afraid to rock the show
I am not afraid to take risks, even if it means standing out from the crowd.
My heart is pounding in the night
I am feeling anxious and nervous about what lies ahead, symbolized by my heart pounding in the night.
I seek the light, I seek the light, oh yeah
I am actively searching for hope and positivity in my life and I will not stop until I find it.
Unleashed is the power
I am unleashing my full potential and strength to overcome any obstacle in my path.
In the spirit of my dream
I am motivated and driven to succeed in fulfilling my goals and aspirations.
I've been tearing down the fences
I am breaking free from any limiting beliefs and obstacles that have held me back.
Always trying to achieve, yeah
I am always striving to accomplish my goals, even in the face of adversity.
Come back to the living
I am urging myself and others to return to a state of life and vitality, rather than being consumed by negativity and sorrow.
Let your sorrow come undone
I am encouraging people to release their sadness and grief in order to move forward in life.
Cause you have to believe it
Believing in oneself is essential in achieving success and happiness in life.
From your grief you can run
Although it may be difficult, we can escape our pain and trauma and find healing and happiness in life.
I'm a pagan far away from home, I'm coming home
I feel lost and disconnected from my roots and culture, but I am on a journey to find my way back home.
My heart is calling from afar, coming home
My intuition and instincts are guiding me towards a sense of belonging and purpose in life, symbolized by my heart calling from afar.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JORN LANDE, ROLAND GRAPOW, ULRICH KUSCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ReinaldoPereiraCTBA
One of my favorite metal songs of all time in my favorite Metal album!
@javierfonte316
Escuchen al mejor cantante del Heavy Metal/ Hard Rock de las últimas 2 décadas. Un talento bestial. Si hubiese sido estadounidense o inglés sería reconocido como lo merece
@patriciovoltendalth1960
Disfrutando de buena musica ahora mismo en este feriadito aqui en Ecuador.
Saludos.
@douglasconnolly6357
This song should definitely be on I tunes!
@thecapedbro4082
I love this song!
It's gets me motivated for my training.
@biglebowski3486
Amazing band
@matyasd88
incredible
@MrWhatdafuBOOM
Ah, the memories. There used to be a video for Godzilla: Final Wars here on YT that introduced me to this kickass song when I was a kid and discovering the internet. It's gone now but I can still remember it when listening to this.
@celioazevedoofficial
Very good!
@jimmyahlvik2286
Very good song