siLLy puPPy MASTERPLAN was one of many Helloween spin-offs, this time with Roland Grapow (guitarist 1989 -2001) and Uli Kusch (drums 1994 - 2001) leaving in 2001 to create a side project which ultimately got them nixed from their Helloween duties and plenty of time to focus on their new project. After trying like the dickens to pull together super-group candidates from all over the power metal world, the two failed at nabbing their first choices but did score with the prodigious vocal talent of none other than Jorn Lande most notably of Ark fame but also of Vagabond, The Snakes, Beyond Twilight, solo career and beyond type of fame.

Jorn is famous for his ability to mimic previous greats in rock and metal. In Ark he was a dead ringer for David Coverdale of Whitesnake fame but in MASTERPLAN he shifts gears and takes on a Ronnie James Dio persona and does it with apparent ease and actually sounds like a Dio without any signs of vocal strain but despite this comparison he more than exceeds Dio’s limitations. I’ve always totally admired vocalists who can do the whole operatic scale thing while still retaining that metal edge in the scream / growl / shout thing. Jorn pulls this off flawlessly as the energetic backings of the band weave an interesting mix of 70s hard rock with power metal sensibitlies.

In fact, MASTERPLAN sounds as if it is the perfect amalgamation of 70s Dio led Rainbow with the melodic power metal energies of 90s Helloween, Gamma Ray or the many branches of the bands that sprouted. With the strong melodies, the more than capable instrumental duties and vocal contributions, MASTERPLAN’s debut album is quite the treat especially for those who find some power metal to enter the cheese-o-sphere. MASTERPLAN has that perfect traditional metal / power metal balance that incorporates just enough of the 70s as well as adding subtle idiosyncrancies to make this debut album a pleasant melodic metal experience that sustains itself for the entirety of the playing time.