AERONAUTICS

If you like HELLOWEEN - the power metal pioneer from Germany, I'm pretty sure that you would adore this album by Masterplan. No wonder because the band was formed by veteran Helloween's guitar player (Rolan Grapow) and drummer (Uli Kusch) plus Jorn Lande on lead vocal. The music featured in this album represents full power metal set with its key characteristic as being tight, upbeat and fast tempo, speed guitar playing and double pedal bass drum that accompany melodic singing line.

The opening track "Crimson Rider" (4:00) is basically is an upbeat and fast tempo music, typical power metal music, with excellent guitar work through riffs and melody, augmented with dynamic drumming. It flows into slower tempo of music with "Back for my Life" (4:14) using orchestration as background. "Wounds" (3:15) maintains power metal tempo with its typical double pedal bass drum. By the first three tracks it's very clear that the composition of each track has focused on creating music with catchy melody and interesting interlude. "Wounds" has proved to be very good in fulfilling these requirements. "I'm not Afraid" (4:47) provides some good break upfront and inserts good keyboard work at background which sounds like a symphonic music. The song flows naturally with nice / catchy choruses especially when it is combined with guitar rhythm section.

"Headbangers Ballroom" (3:54) opens with heavy riffs followed with drums and powerful bass guitar, delivered in medium tempo. "After this War" (3:16) is mellow in style. "Into the Arena" (3:45) starts beautifully with keyboard solo which sets the nuance of the song followed with full blast of power metal sounds. "Dark From the Dying" is a very good song with a bit of symphonic touch. I like the riffs of this song - so powerful and catching. "Falling Sparrow" (4:42) is a nice melodic power metal song. "Black in the Burn" (8:51) is a relatively long duration but the composition does not make me getting bored. Keep on rockin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW