Band:	Masterplan
Album:	Time To Be King
Style:	Power metal
Release date:	May 2010

01. Fiddle Of Time
02. Blow Your Winds
03. Far From The End Of The World
04. Time To Be King
05. Lonely Winds Of War
06. The Dark Road
07. The Sun Is In Your Hands
08. The Black One
09. Blue Europa
10. Under The Moon
11. Kisses From You [Limited Edition bonus]
12. Never Walk Alone [Japanese bonus]

I have no words. All I have is a funny little dance that involves massive amounts of air guitar, some air drums, and an amazing Jorn Lande impersonation (seriously amazing). Ok, time to come up with some words after all, since I don't think posting a video of me rocking out will adequately explain Masterplan's Time To Be King.

What this album does is drag you around by your hair for a bit as a gentle reminder that Masterplan is alive and kicking - and that Jorn Lande is back! The incredible Norwegian vocalist rejoined Masterplan last year and the boys have been cooking up this album ever since. The all-star lineup certainly knows how to pull their weight, and strong performances are given by all; these are seasoned players who know how to rock. In terms of intensity it's reminiscent of Aeronautics, the band's spectacular 2005 album with Jorn, yet it's definitely NOT Aeronautics part deux. Time To Be King is immediately its own album with memorable songs to explore and a harder hitting style than you may remember.

If you're new to Masterplan then now is the time to start. What this band does is present a near perfect blend of classic power metal with achingly beautiful music that makes you clutch your heart with one hand and make "the claw" with the other. The title track is an example of this interplay when Axel Mackenrott's keyboards come plunging into the song's simple classic feel and making it suddenly heavy with mood. While we're on the subject of individual songs, try to pick up your copy of this album with the bonus track "Kisses From You." It's a tribute to Queen, and shows a very playful side of Masterplan.

As I alluded to in the first paragraph, it's really tough to sit still during this album. It's not that it's necessarily so fast... it is fast but more importantly it grooves well, the melodies are interesting, and the rhythms are infectious. From the first unmistakably Masterplan-sounding riffs of the opening track and Jorn's animalistic yell of "Yeaaaaaah Yeah!" all the way through to the end, you may find yourself inadvertently rocking out and definitely singing along.