Frontiers Music [Release date : 26.05.26]

There’s power metal bands and there’s Masterplan. Never getting the credit they deserve.

It began life as a splinter group. Founders, Uli Kusch and Roland Grapow were originally a key part of Helloween, leaving in ‘01.

Their new band released its self titled debut in 2003.

They’ve cycled through several band configurations since then, currently settled on Grapow (g), Rick Altzi (v), Axel Mackenrott (k), Jari Kainulainan (b) and Kevin Kott (d).

Metalmorphosis is the band’s magnificent seventh, 13 years after their last all new studio effort, Novum Initium (a covers album, Pumpkings, came in between. OK, it’s not strictly a covers album. It is a rerecording of songs written by Grapow, recorded by Helloween).

A few years back we attempted to put some words around the Power Metal genre. One of the quotes we encountered stayed with us.
We’ve added it to the end of this review.

Meantime, it’s fair to say that Masterplan’s return to the studio witnesses a bunch of musicians who couldn’t be more in tune with each other. They’ve been in each other’s company for so long that they must by now have developed some kind of musical telepathy.

Metalmorphosis cuts a swathe through what is a pretty crowded market.

The band have added several layers of heaviosity to their continually evolving sound, most notably on the classy, opener, ‘Chase The Light’. A stomping, stadium-filling anthem that stands defiantly in the face of “unelected power, rising while compassion fades”.

Not for them the limiting strictures of the heavy metal formula.

As you might expect, the songs are robust and thunderous, brimful of sturdy tunes, ready to move from ‘Shadow Man’s rising, hymn like chorus to ‘Bound To Fall’s emotional resignation, and from there on to the lyrically challenging, Eastern flavoured ‘Pain Of Yesterday’, then to the power metal rush Of ‘Electric Nights’, a celebration of live performance, delivered at speed, mainlining on adrenaline and visceral lyrics.

“I see blazing lights across the sky, the crowd will roar, we’re flying high”.

Music that is overflowing with conviction in their ability as artists. Hard to beat. ****1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

And lastly, the postscript : the words of Mark Mynett, producer of Rotting Christ, Godsized and Paradise Lost and a senior UK lecturer in music technology and production. As an active musician he toured with Helloween and Running Wild.

“It’s not about being the fastest and the heaviest. It is about sounding powerful with a lot of energy and powerful vocal performances. It’s the production that fits the music. It’s supposed to sound big and that’s what the production aesthetic is conveying.”

Simple really.

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 24 May 2026.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 19 May 2026

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 8 June 2026

LAKE Hey Sam (indie)
VOODOO WISEGUYS Someday You’ll Know (indie)
RUN REMEDY Big Nothing (indie)
BLACK ROSE REBELLION Hail The Rebel Queen (Pavement Entertainment)
DOMINUM Dark Melodies (Napalm Records)
COLD JULY I’ll Write That Down (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 8 June 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.