MASTERPLAN

MASTERPLAN
Evolution and Lineage of German Power Metal

1. Historical Significance of MASTERPLAN in German Metal

In the European heavy metal scene of the early 21st century, the emergence of MASTERPLAN held a significance that went far beyond the mere debut of a new band. Formed around Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch, who had departed from the German power metal giants Helloween, this band was destined to bear the mantle of a "supergroup" from its very inception. The formation of MASTERPLAN can be seen as an ambitious experiment to fuse the traditional German metal (melodic speed metal) lineage, which had continued since the 1980s, with the modern, progressive heaviness of the 2000s.

2. On the Eve of Formation: Departure from Helloween and the Truth Behind the "Betrayal" (2000-2001)

2.1 "The Dark Ride" Tour and the Emergence of Rifts

In discussing the history of MASTERPLAN, the prelude involving the turbulent final days of their time in Helloween cannot be overlooked. Released in 2000, Helloween's album "The Dark Ride", produced by Roy Z, marked a major shift from their traditional bright "happy metal" to a dark, modern sound heavily utilizing down-tuned guitars. This shift in musical direction caused a decisive rift within the band, particularly between the leader Michael Weikath and those who pushed for this direction, Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch.

During "The Dark Ride Tour" in 2001, Grapow and Kusch began conceiving a side project due to disagreements over their say within the band and the musical direction. While they sought a place to flesh out their own ideas alongside their activities in Helloween, this was perceived by the other members, especially Weikath and vocalist Andi Deris, as an "act of betrayal against the band."

2.2 Dismissal Notice and the Stigma of "Traitors"

Following the conclusion of the tour in the summer of 2001, events took a sudden turn. Helloween announced the dismissal of Grapow and Kusch. While the official reason given was "musical differences," a deep-seated emotional conflict lay beneath the surface. Andi Deris later criticized the two in interviews using strong words, stating they had "betrayed the band," citing allegations of attempting to misappropriate band funds and dishonesty in internal band politics.

On the other hand, Grapow countered this claim, asserting that he had no access to the band's bank accounts and that his salary was paid by management, making any misappropriation of funds impossible. According to him, the notification of dismissal was sent via email, and it was a political exclusion driven by Weikath, who demanded, "If Grapow and Kusch stay, I will leave." These conflicting claims and emotional scars are also clearly reflected in the fact that Grapow and Kusch were not invited to the historic 2017 Helloween reunion tour, "Pumpkins United."

In any case, having lost the massive banner of Helloween, the two were forced to launch a new band to prove their musical legitimacy and secure their livelihood. Thus, MASTERPLAN was born.

3. Formative Years: The Birth of a Supergroup (2002-2003)

3.1 Origin of the Band Name and Difficulties in Member Selection

The band name "MASTERPLAN" was chosen based on the concept of "excellent musicians who possess a master plan to carve out their own future." In the initial vision, Janne Wirman of Children of Bodom was shortlisted for keyboards, and Russell Allen of Symphony X was considered for vocals.

However, Russell Allen declined to prioritize his own band. Furthermore, Grapow approached his former ally and ex-Helloween vocalist Michael Kiske to join, but Kiske, who was distancing himself from the metal scene at the time, firmly declined.

Ultimately, the choice fell upon Jorn Lande, known for his work with Norwegian progressive metal bands Ark, Millenium, and The Snakes. His voice, reminiscent of David Coverdale's bluesy and soulful mid-range combined with a powerful high-tone like Ronnie James Dio, perfectly matched Grapow and Kusch's goal: "a power metal style that is even more melodic than Helloween, yet possesses traditional hard rock elements."

3.2 The Impact of the Debut Album "MASTERPLAN" (2003)

In January 2003, the debut album "MASTERPLAN", produced by Andy Sneap, was released. Janne Wirman participated in the recording as a session keyboardist, but since it was impossible for him to join the tour as a permanent member, the unknown Axel Mackenrott was recruited as his successor. Regarding the bass, Grapow handled most of the recording himself, but Jan S. Eckert, formerly of Iron Savior, was welcomed as a touring member after the album's release and later became an official member.

The album featured powerful anthems such as "Spirit Never Die", "Enlighten Me", and "Kind Hearted Light", receiving enthusiastic support from both media and fans. In particular, the track "Heroes", featuring Michael Kiske as a guest vocalist, held symbolic meaning for fans who knew the drama behind the Helloween split, marking the reunion of Grapow and Kiske. The lyrics also meaningfully touched upon the concept of "heroes."

Table 3.1: Major Lineup at the Time of Debut (2003)

Member Name	Role	Remarks
Jorn Lande	Vocals	Active in Ark, Millenium, etc. Becomes the face of the band with his overwhelming singing ability.
Roland Grapow	Guitars	Ex-Helloween. Main songwriter.
Uli Kusch	Drums	Ex-Helloween, Gamma Ray. Contributed significantly to songwriting.
Axel Mackenrott	Keyboards	Joined officially after the release.
Jan S. Eckert (S)	Bass	Ex-Iron Savior. Joined officially after the release.

4. The Brilliance of the Golden Age and Internal Rifts: "Aeronautics" (2004-2005)

4.1 Musical Evolution and the Concept of "Aeronautics"

Following the success of their debut, the band released their second album, "Aeronautics", in 2005. This work was a loose concept album themed around "flight" and "aircraft." Musically, it incorporated more progressive and intricate arrangements in addition to the straightforward power metal route of the previous album. Roland Grapow's heavy riffs, Axel Mackenrott's symphonic keyboard work, and Uli Kusch's technical drumming fused at a high level, bringing the band's ensemble to its peak.

The European tour with HammerFall and their first headlining tour, the "Flying Aces Tour," were highly successful, and everything seemed to be going smoothly. However, serious issues were developing beneath the surface.

4.2 Struggle for Initiative in Songwriting

During the production of "Aeronautics", the relationship between Grapow and Kusch deteriorated steadily. While both had contributed ideas equally on the first album, disagreements over the musical direction became evident on the second. Grapow pointed out in later interviews that Uli Kusch was focusing heavily on his side project, Beautiful Sin, at the time, leading to a decline in his motivation for MASTERPLAN. Combined with personal issues (such as divorce), the atmosphere within the band became a "negative time."

5. The First Schism: Loss of a Founding Member and the Ultimate Ace (2006)

In 2006, the band faced its greatest crisis since its inception. Co-founder Uli Kusch and the voice of the band, Jorn Lande, announced their departures one after another.

5.1 Background Behind Uli Kusch's Departure

The reasons for Uli Kusch's departure were multifaceted. In addition to the deterioration of his relationship with Grapow, business conflicts were decisive. The democratic decision-making process in band management broke down, escalating to a dispute involving lawyers, which completely destroyed their friendship. Furthermore, the income from the band was unstable for Kusch, who sought financial stability to support his family. He subsequently relocated to Norway and effectively stepped back from the forefront of the music industry.

5.2 Reasons for Jorn Lande's Departure: "Metal" or "Rock"

Jorn Lande's reasons for leaving included differences in musical direction, as well as his participation in other projects (particularly Avantasia) and scheduling conflicts. Regarding the musical direction, he desired a return to classic rock and blues rock roots, akin to Whitesnake, and felt constrained by the modern heavy metal, particularly the high-pitched power metal style, that MASTERPLAN aspired to. Jorn argued that they should "reduce the experimental, modern elements and return to a straightforward style," but the band (mainly Grapow) rejected this, leading him to choose the path of focusing on his solo career.

6. The Path to Resurgence: "MKII" and the Mike DiMeo Era (2007-2008)

Despite losing two key members, Roland Grapow had no intention of disbanding. He searched for new members to rebuild the band.

6.1 Joining of New Members

Mike DiMeo, known for his work with the American heavy metal band Riot, was recruited as the new vocalist. His voice was soulful like Jorn's, yet possessed a sleeker, American hard rock flavor. For the drums, Mike Terrana, a seasoned veteran who had played in numerous bands including Rage, Artension, and Yngwie Malmsteen, joined the ranks.

6.2 Musical Transition of the Album "MKII"

Released in 2007, the third album "MKII" marked the second chapter of the band, as the name implied. With the addition of Mike DiMeo, the sound shifted to a more melodic approach, even leaning towards AOR elements. The single "Lost and Gone" was highly praised as a masterpiece combining a catchy chorus with heavy orchestration.

However, some critics criticized the album for losing the overwhelming power and charisma of the Jorn era, and for shifting towards a "retro" direction with reduced tempo and heaviness. Although they toured actively in Europe with Saxon, the band during Mike DiMeo's tenure could not completely replicate the success of the Jorn era.

In 2009, Mike DiMeo left the band. The reason was reportedly due to the long period of inactivity following the tour, forcing him as a professional singer to accept other offers to make a living.

7. The Phantom Reunion: Return of Jorn Lande and the Second Separation (2009-2012)

7.1 Long-Awaited Return and the Album "Time to Be King" (2010)

Driven by strong fan demand and the efforts of their label (AFM Records), Jorn Lande's return was realized in 2009. This news became a major topic in the metal world, and in 2010, their fourth album and comeback work, "Time to Be King", was released. This album was a powerful effort that seemed to recapture their initial chemistry, and tracks like "Time to Be King" and "Far from the End of the World" showcased the band's original grandeur and power.

7.2 Release Without a Tour and Another Breakdown

However, this "reunion" was extremely unstable. No full-scale tour accompanied the album's release, and live activities were almost non-existent. The main cause lay in the priority of Jorn Lande's schedule. At the time, he was participating in the world tour of Avantasia, led by Tobias Sammet, and prioritized those activities over MASTERPLAN (financial factors were also said to be involved).

Roland Grapow stated in interviews that communication with Jorn became sporadic, and he grew disappointed with Jorn's lack of passion for the band. While MASTERPLAN was merely one of many projects for Jorn, it represented the entirety of Grapow's career. This gap in commitment could not be bridged, and in 2012, Jorn Lande chose to depart for the second and effectively final time. Drummer Mike Terrana also left the band around the same time.

8. Establishment of a New Lineup: Rick Altzi and "Novum Initium" (2013-2016)

8.1 Complete Overhaul of Members and the Joining of Rick Altzi

To keep the band alive, Roland Grapow executed a major overhaul of the lineup.

• Vocals: Recruited Rick Altzi, formerly of At Vance. Possessing a husky, powerful voice comparable to Jorn's, he was the perfect successor.
• Bass: Jan S. Eckert departed due to professional commitments, and the master Jari Kainulainen, formerly of Stratovarius, joined in his place.
• Drums: Recruited Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka of Cradle of Filth.

8.2 "Novum Initium": A New Beginning

Released in 2013, the fifth album "Novum Initium"—meaning "A New Beginning" in Latin—proudly declared the rebirth of the band. The addition of Rick Altzi was convincing enough to satisfy fans mourning the loss of Jorn. In particular, the title track "Novum Initium," spanning over 10 minutes, and the fast-paced "The Game" proved that the band was still capable of creating high-quality power metal.

This lineup remained relatively stable, and in 2015, they released their first live video work, "Keep Your Dream aLive". Featuring performances from the "Masters of Rock" festival and "Wacken Open Air," it demonstrated their enduring strength as a live band.

9. Confronting the Past: "PumpKings" and the Answer to Helloween (2017-2023)

9.1 Production Intent Behind "PumpKings"

In 2017, the band released "PumpKings", an album consisting entirely of Helloween cover songs. This was a re-recording of tracks composed by Roland Grapow during his tenure in Helloween (1989–2001), performed by the current members of MASTERPLAN.

The background of this project was the historic Helloween reunion, "Pumpkins United," which was taking place around the same time. While Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen returned for this reunion, Grapow and Kusch were not contacted. Grapow explained his intent, saying, "The songs we created are like our children, but if the current Helloween isn't going to play them, we will update and present them in a modern style ourselves."

The selection consisted of tracks from "Pink Bubbles Go Ape" to "The Dark Ride", including masterpieces like "The Chance", "Mr. Ego", "The Time of the Oath", and "The Dark Ride". Opinions were divided, with some calling it an "unnecessary remake," while others praised it, stating that the songs were reborn through Rick Altzi's vocals and modern production.

9.2 Change of Drummers

During this period, drummer Martin Skaroupka departed due to a busy schedule with Cradle of Filth. Kevin Kott was brought in as his successor through an introduction by Rick Altzi. He would support the band with his technical drumming reminiscent of Mike Portnoy.

10. Present and Future: Towards "Metalmorphosis" (2024-2026)

10.1 Resumption of Activities and the New Song "Rise Again"

Following "PumpKings", the release of original albums had ceased, but the band restarted in 2024. In January, they released the single "Rise Again," their first new song in years. This melodic and powerful power metal number, capturing the classic MASTERPLAN style, instantly raised fan expectations.

10.2 Label Change and the New Album "Metalmorphosis"

The band left their long-time home, AFM Records, to sign with Italy's Frontiers Music Srl. According to Roland Grapow, production is underway for their sixth studio album, "Metalmorphosis", aiming for a release in early 2026.

Grapow has mentioned regarding the new work that it will be a "return to roots with a stronger metal influence," suggesting a return to a straightforward power metal sound while retaining progressive elements. Furthermore, they are actively touring South America and Europe, and the solidarity within the Rick Altzi lineup has become stronger than ever.

Table 10.1: Current Lineup (As of 2025)

Name	Role	Year Joined	Remarks
Roland Grapow	Guitars	2001	The sole remaining original member.
Axel Mackenrott	Keyboards	2003	The cornerstone of the sound.
Rick Altzi	Vocals	2012	The longest-serving vocalist in history.
Jari Kainulainen	Bass	2012	The master musician from Finland.
Kevin Kott	Drums	2016	The current drummer.

11. Biography of Members

Detailed biographies of the primary members involved with MASTERPLAN are recorded below.

Roland Grapow (ローランド・グラポウ) - Guitars

• Career: Originally worked as a car mechanic while playing in bands, he joined Helloween in 1989, taking on the heavy responsibility of succeeding Kai Hansen. He participated in albums from "Pink Bubbles Go Ape" to "The Dark Ride" and distinguished himself as a songwriter.
• Style: Has a wide-ranging style from neoclassical shredding influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen to modern, heavy riff work.
• Miscellaneous: He established his own studio, "Grapow Studios," in Slovakia, where he functions as an engineer, producing and mixing works for bands like Lords of Black and Firewind, in addition to MASTERPLAN's own creations.

Jorn Lande (ヨルン・ランデ) - Vocals

• Career: Born in Norway. He gained acclaim with the Whitesnake cover band The Snakes and the progressive band Ark. He is nicknamed "The David Coverdale of the North."
• Role in MASTERPLAN: Participated in the 1st, 2nd, and 4th albums. He defined the band's identity, but had a tendency to prioritize his solo work and participation in Avantasia, preventing him from settling permanently in the band.

Uli Kusch (ウリ・カッシュ) - Drums

• Career: Joined Helloween after a stint with Gamma Ray. In addition to drumming, he possessed high songwriting abilities and left many masterpieces during the Helloween era.
• Afterward: After departing from MASTERPLAN, he participated in Mekong Delta, his own project Beautiful Sin, and Symfonia, but has effectively retired from drumming due to nerve damage in his wrist. Rumor has it he is currently engaged in non-musical work in Norway.

Axel Mackenrott (アクセル・マッケンロット) - Keyboards

• Career: Born in Hamburg, Germany. Since joining as Janne Wirman's successor, he has been one of the longest-serving members, supporting the band for over 20 years. He excels at building song atmospheres with orchestrations and pad sounds rather than flashy solos.

Rick Altzi (リック・アルツィ) - Vocals

• Career: Born in Sweden. Known for his work with At Vance and Thunderstone. His husky, powerful voice felt natural as Jorn Lande's successor, and he contributed to the band's stability with his good personality and professional attitude.

12. Musical Style & Influence

The musicality of MASTERPLAN is defined as "melodic power metal," but its essence is more diverse and multi-layered.

1. Helloween's DNA and Evolution: Since Roland Grapow and Uli Kusch laid the foundation, Helloween-style speed and melody naturally reside at the core. However, the bright and comical elements (the so-called "happy metal") favored by Michael Weikath are excluded, emphasizing a more serious, dark, and lyrical aspect instead. This can be seen as an extension of the path they aimed for on "The Dark Ride".
2. Progressive Metal Elements: Particularly in the songs during Uli Kusch's tenure, time signature changes and complex developments were heavily utilized. This blended well with the singing style of Jorn Lande, who came from Ark, giving the tracks a depth that went beyond simple speed metal.
3. Hard Rock/Blues Feeling: Strongly colored by the classic rock lineage of Deep Purple, Whitesnake, and Rainbow, originating from Jorn Lande's singing style. This sets them apart from typical German metal bands, bringing mature elegance and weight to the band.
4. Production: Because Roland Grapow produces at his own studio, the sound quality across albums remains highly consistent. The guitar sound is exceptionally thick and modern, featuring a rich sonic image where orchestrations by keyboards fill the space.

13. Discography

13.1 Studio Albums

1. MASTERPLAN (2003)

• Overview: The shocking debut album. Praised as the ideal form of power metal.
• Important Tracks:
  • Spirit Never Die: The fast-paced track opening the album. Its catchy chorus and powerful riff are the band's signature.
  • Enlighten Me: A melodic, mid-tempo single. Jorn's singing ability stands out.
  • Heroes: Michael Kiske participates as a guest. His collaboration with Grapow was a historic moment for Helloween fans. The lyrics also meaningfully touch upon "heroes."
  • Soulburn: A heavy, slow song. It symbolizes the dark side of the band.

2. Aeronautics (2005)

• Overview: Features conceptual elements themed around flight. More intricate and progressive.
• Important Tracks:
  • Crimson Rider: A fast, aggressive number. Uli Kusch's drumming shines.
  • Back for My Life: A ballad-esque track beginning with acoustic guitar. It became a hit single.
  • Wounds: A complex song showing progressive developments.

3. MKII (2007)

• Overview: Mike DiMeo joins. Shifting closer to melodic hard rock.
• Important Tracks:
  • Lost and Gone: An impressive masterpiece with a symphonic intro and a catchy chorus.
  • Warrior's Cry: A speed metal tune where Mike Terrana's double bass thunders.
  • MASTERPLAN: A track bearing the band's name. Heavy and powerful.

4. Time to Be King (2010)

• Overview: Jorn Lande's return album. A grand and orthodox sound.
• Important Tracks:
  • Time to Be King: The title track. Jorn's overwhelming vocal performance can be fully savored.
  • Far from the End of the World: A fast track in classic MASTERPLAN fashion.

5. Novum Initium (2013)

• Overview: Rick Altzi joins. Indicating the band's rebirth and stability.
• Important Tracks:
  • The Game: A neoclassical fast track reminiscent of Stratovarius.
  • Keep Your Dream Alive: An anthem holding a positive message.
  • Novum Initium: A grand piece exceeding 10 minutes. Its dramatic developments showed that the band was alive and well.

6. PumpKings (2017)

• Overview: Self-covers of Helloween songs composed by Roland Grapow.
• Important Tracks:
  • The Chance: A masterpiece originally from "Pink Bubbles Go Ape". Updated to be heavier.
  • The Dark Ride: Perfectly replicates the original song's dark and heavy atmosphere using the current band's sound.
  • Escalation 666: A mid-tempo heavy tune.

14. Conclusion

The 25-year history of MASTERPLAN has been a repetition of glory, setback, and rebirth. Starting from the adverse circumstance of an involuntary departure from Helloween, they achieved explosive success with their debut album, followed by a crisis of survival due to the successive departures of key members. However, through the unyielding spirit of leader Roland Grapow and the dedication of Axel Mackenrott and others who supported him, the band has consistently delivered high-quality metal.

The new album "Metalmorphosis", planned for 2026, will symbolize the band moving forward into the future with a new partner, Frontiers Music, having finished sorting through their past heritage ("PumpKings"). The Rick Altzi lineup has lasted the longest in history, and the band's maturity has reached its peak. MASTERPLAN has established its status as a true "master" in the European power metal scene, no longer needing the prefix "a band by former members of Helloween."