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.
Into The Light
Masterplan Lyrics
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Be sincere about it - this is for real
You feel this aversion to life
Fear and loathing, the weight of the world
It will all fade away
Now we climb up to a place
Where the beauty is everlasting
As the rock beneath our naked feet
I hardly know you
Face to face
On the brink of the grave
I won't persuade you
Like the snowflakes we will fly
A dying dance, a silence cry
We're at the peak now
Face to face
On the brink of the grave
Don't turn around now
To step into the light
Falling down
To step into the light
Falling down
Let the moment arrive, with no more tears to cry
The spirit will wave goodbye
And step into the light
To step into the light
Falling down
To step into the light
Falling down
The lyrics of Masterplan's song "Into The Light" convey a message of hope and liberation from the burdens of life. The song speaks to anyone who feels overwhelmed by life's challenges and finds themselves struggling with fear and despair. The opening lines entreat the listener to reach out if they understand the message, emphasizing the sincerity of the plea. The lyrics then acknowledge the listener's aversion to life and the weight of the world, assuring them that these feelings will fade away.
The song continues to describe a progression upward to a place where the beauty is everlasting and the will is unshakable. The singer admits to hardly knowing the listener but is face to face with them on the brink of the grave. The chorus likens the listener's situation to a dying dance and a silent cry, but also states that they are at the peak now and should not turn around. The next verse encourages the listener to step into the light, falling down and letting go of their tears, as their spirit waves goodbye to the material world.
Overall, "Into The Light" is a moving and powerful song that offers a message of hope and freedom from life's difficulties. It acknowledges the gravity of the situation but encourages the listener to keep moving forward towards a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
Send me a message in case you understand
Communicate with me if you comprehend what I am saying
Be sincere about it - this is for real
Be genuine, this situation is important
You feel this aversion to life
You have a strong dislike or opposition towards life
Fear and loathing, the weight of the world
You feel scared, hateful, and burdened by the world's problems
It will all fade away
Eventually, these feelings will dissipate
Now we climb up to a place
We are now ascending to a higher place
Where the beauty is everlasting
A beautiful setting that will never age or disappear
Our will as unshakable
Our determination is firm and unwavering
As the rock beneath our naked feet
Like the solid and firm foundation beneath us
I hardly know you
I do not know you very well
Face to face
In close proximity to each other's faces
On the brink of the grave
Very close to death or in serious danger
I won't persuade you
I will not convince or coerce you into anything
Like the snowflakes we will fly
We will fly away like snowflakes
A dying dance, a silence cry
Our departure will be like a fading dance and a silent cry
We're at the peak now
We have reached the top
Don't turn around now
Do not look back now
To step into the light
To move towards the light or positive outcome
Falling down
Falling towards something better
Let the moment arrive, with no more tears to cry
The moment will come when there are no more tears to shed
The spirit will wave goodbye
The spirit will peacefully depart
And step into the light
And move towards the positive outcome
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RAINER LAWS, ROLAND GRAPOW, ULRICH KUSCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind