Masterplan – ‘Metalmorphosis’

(Frontiers Music)

Masterplan's Metalmorphosis feels like the kind of record that knows exactly what it wants to be. It doesn't spend its time chasing trends or trying to reinvent power metal for a new generation. Instead, it doubles down on everything that made the genre such a force in the first place: towering melodies, razor-sharp riffs, soaring vocals and choruses built to be bellowed back from the front row. In an era where many bands feel compelled to blur genre boundaries, Masterplan have delivered an album that's unapologetically rooted in classic European power metal while sounding fresh, confident and full of purpose.

From the outset, Metalmorphosis establishes a commanding presence. The production is crisp and modern without sacrificing warmth, giving every instrument room to breathe. The guitars have plenty of bite, balancing muscular rhythm work with tasteful lead flourishes, while the rhythm section provides the kind of rock-solid foundation that allows the songs to soar. The keyboards never dominate proceedings, instead adding texture and atmosphere that elevate the arrangements without softening their metallic edge.

One of the album's greatest strengths is its consistency. Across its ten songs, there's an impressive balance between speed, melody and emotion. Masterplan avoid the trap that catches many power metal bands where everything becomes an endless race to play faster and louder. Instead, they understand the importance of dynamics. Moments of restraint make the heavier passages hit even harder, while the more melodic sections provide genuine emotional weight rather than serving as simple breathing spaces between guitar workouts.

The songwriting deserves particular praise because there's a maturity on display throughout. Rather than relying solely on familiar genre clichés, the band crafts songs with strong hooks and memorable structures that reveal more with repeated listens. Choruses linger long after the album has finished, not because they're overblown or repetitive, but because they're genuinely well written. There's a natural flow to the record that keeps it engaging from beginning to end, avoiding the mid-album slump that often affects releases of this style.

Vocally, Metalmorphosis is everything fans could hope for. Rick Altzi’s performance strikes an excellent balance between power and melody, delivering impressive range without ever feeling like a showcase for technical ability alone. There's conviction behind every lyric, whether the music is charging forward at full throttle or settling into more reflective territory. His vocals carry genuine emotion, helping to ground the grandiose arrangements in something more human.

Instrumentally, Masterplan are firing on all cylinders. Roland Grapow’s guitar work is particularly impressive, blending chunky, driving riffs with elegant melodic phrasing and fluid solos that serve the songs rather than simply providing opportunities for flashy displays. The lead playing is tasteful throughout, packed with memorable motifs instead of endless streams of notes. Every solo feels earned and contributes to the emotional journey of the album.

The rhythm section deserves equal recognition. Bass and drums lock together beautifully, creating grooves that give the music surprising weight. While power metal is often associated with relentless double-kick drumming, there's plenty of variety here. Kevin Kott’s percussion shifts effortlessly between thunderous assaults and more measured passages, always serving the mood of the music. Likewise, Jari Kainulainen’s bass remains audible throughout, adding depth and richness rather than disappearing beneath layers of guitars.

One aspect that really elevates Metalmorphosis is Axel Mackenrott’s keyboard work. Rather than overwhelming the guitars or drifting into overly symphonic territory, the keys are used with real intelligence, adding atmosphere, depth and colour to every song. They weave effortlessly through the arrangements, providing cinematic textures during the quieter moments before reinforcing the bigger choruses with subtle layers that make everything sound larger than life. Whether delivering haunting melodies, rich harmonies or understated flourishes behind the riffs, the keyboards complement the band's sound perfectly, giving the album a polished, expansive feel without ever losing its heavy metal backbone.

Another area where Metalmorphosis excels is atmosphere. Despite its polished production and uplifting melodic sensibilities, there's a darker undercurrent running through much of the album. The band explores themes of struggle, resilience, reflection and renewal without becoming overly bleak or melodramatic. That emotional contrast gives the record greater depth, making its triumphant moments feel genuinely earned instead of predictable.

Perhaps the biggest compliment that can be paid to Masterplan is that they never sound like they're going through the motions. Many veteran bands reach a point where albums become exercises in maintaining a familiar formula, ticking the expected boxes without much inspiration. Metalmorphosis avoids that pitfall completely. There's an energy and enthusiasm throughout that suggests a band still passionate about creating music rather than simply preserving a legacy.

The pacing also deserves mention. At around the right length for a modern metal release, the album never overstays its welcome. Every song feels like it has a purpose within the wider listening experience, contributing to an album that flows naturally from beginning to end. Even after multiple listens, there's little temptation to reach for the skip button, which speaks volumes about the quality control exercised during the writing process.

What really makes Metalmorphosis stand out is its confidence. Masterplan aren't trying to prove they're the fastest, heaviest or most progressive band in power metal. Instead, they've focused on writing memorable songs, delivering passionate performances and creating an album that captures the spirit of the genre while remaining unmistakably their own. That confidence translates into a record that feels authentic from start to finish.

‘Chase The Light’, Masterplan don't believe in easing you into an album. They kick the door off its hinges with a blistering opener that immediately reminds you why they've remained one of power metal's most reliable names. Big riffs, bigger melodies and enough energy to power a small city, job done!

‘Electric Nights’ struts along with real confidence. There's a cracking groove underneath the polished production, and the chorus sticks like industrial-strength glue. It's the sort of song that'll have you reaching for the volume knob rather than the skip button.

‘Shadow Man’, things take a darker turn here, adding a welcome bit of grit to the album. The heavier atmosphere gives the band room to stretch out emotionally, while the guitars throw in some classy flourishes without disappearing into endless fretboard gymnastics.

‘Bound To Fall’, a slower burner that proves power metal isn't all about speed limits and double-kick marathons. The build-up is handled brilliantly before everything explodes into one of those soaring choruses that practically demands raised fists and questionable singing from the listener.

‘Pain Of Yesterday’, there's genuine heart behind this one. Rather than wallowing in misery, it balances reflection with determination, delivering one of the album's strongest emotional moments. It's melodic, powerful and surprisingly affecting.

‘Metalmorphosis’, if you're going to name a song after the album, it'd better deliver, and thankfully this one absolutely does. It wraps everything Masterplan do well into one gloriously bombastic package. Huge hooks, towering vocals and riffs that could flatten brickwork.

‘Through The Storm’, back comes the pace, and with it another slice of classic European power metal. It's fast without becoming frantic, melodic without becoming sugary, and packed with enough drive to keep the momentum flying.

‘Ghostlight’ is one of the album's most atmospheric offerings. The keyboards add colour rather than clutter, while the guitars continue to do the heavy lifting. It's a great example of the band's ability to create mood without losing their metallic bite.

‘The Call’, by this point you'd forgive the band for running out of ideas, but they don't. Instead, they deliver another anthem loaded with memorable hooks and enough positivity to make even the grumpiest metalhead crack a smile.

‘Rise Again’ is a proper album closer should leave you wanting to hit play all over again, and it does exactly that. It's uplifting, powerful and finishes the record with exactly the kind of triumphant flourish fans were hoping for.

Fans of classic European power metal will find plenty to love here, but the album also offers enough accessibility to appeal to listeners who simply appreciate well-crafted melodic metal. The hooks are immediate without becoming sugary, the musicianship is exceptional without descending into self-indulgence, and the production gives everything the clarity it deserves.

In many ways, Metalmorphosis serves as a reminder of why power metal continues to endure. At its best, the genre isn't simply about fantasy imagery or technical fireworks, it's about creating music that inspires, energises and leaves listeners feeling uplifted. Masterplan understand that better than most, and they've delivered an album that celebrates those strengths with style and conviction.

Metalmorphosis isn't interested in rewriting the power metal rulebook, and it doesn't need to. What it delivers is something arguably more valuable: a thoroughly enjoyable, expertly performed collection of songs that captures the heart, power and melodic grandeur that drew so many fans to the genre in the first place. It's a confident, polished and rewarding release that proves Masterplan still have plenty of fire left in the tank.

7/10

Essential Track – ‘The Call’

Review by Woody