Masterplan - Metalmorphosis - review
Masterplan - Metalmorphosis - review
Tracklist
01. Chase The Light02. Electric Nights
03. Shadow Man
04. Bound To Fall
05. Pain Of Yesterday
06. Metalmorphosis
07. Through The Storm
08. Ghostlight
09. The Call
10. Rise Again
A review by
Baz Anderson June 27, 2026
Not long after, disagreements with Roland lead to Uli and Jørn exiting the band, setting Masterplan on a tumultuous path that included other long-time member Jan Eckert's departure, a couple of different singers, Jørn being temporarily lured back for an album, a few different drummers and a Roland's Helloween covers album.
Fast-forward to the present day and Metalmorphosis is the second original album Masterplan have delivered with mostly the same returning line-up, albeit with a thirteen year gap.
Roland and Axel reprise the signature Masterplan style; full of melody, sophisticated and mature in sound, and with a tasteful power metal flair. Produced again by Roland, Metalmorphosis has a heavy sound, perhaps too much so, although this does bring The Dark Ride to mind. "Bound To Fall" is one of the album's highlights as it wouldn't sound out of place on one of those Helloween or early Masterplan albums.
Title track "Metalmorphosis" is another highlight, amalgamating the essence of Masterplan into one song. Roland admits the song may need a few spins to be fully enjoyed, but the track is essentially at the forefront of Masterplan's rebirth as a band. "Through The Storm" keeps the tempo up and is again another brilliant piece that could have been found on an album from those golden years of power metal.
It is, however, somewhat bittersweet Masterplan have settled into what seems to be a solid line-up. Roland and Axel deserve the best opportunities to convey onto the world the fruits of their musical talents, but Rick Altzi did not feel like the right conduit when he joined and he still doesn't all this time later. He has no higher vocal range, making the album feel much flatter and nowhere near as dynamic the band have sounded in the past. Roland's heavier production buries his voice in the mix to compound issues.
We may lament a world where Jørn Lande is singing on this record. We may mourn those golden years of power metal. But Metalmorphosis does remind us not to live in the past, or in a world of "what-ifs". This is Masterplan in the present day and there's always something to be found and to appreciate. Metalmorphosis included.
Written on 27.06.2026 by
Written on 27.06.2026 by
Member of Staff since 2006 Comments
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Nice, a Power Metal review! This is only the 2nd this year I think. At this time year, with the hotter days, I find myself orbiting towards the high flying brighter tones of the metal spectrum. My initial thoughts - I'm enjoying this album so far. The heavier/denser production is quite effective I feel. I know what you mean about the vocals maybe getting a little lost but i feel that the vocals sit quite closely with the keys & guitar melody lines and create quite an effective power metal wall of noise feeling. The drums are clear and driving, especially as chunk of the album is fairly mid tempo - gives the album quite a marching vibe. 7 feels fair
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