Masterplan: Aeronautics
This lots debut I absolutely adored and am still returning to it for a listen. Of course with the combination of two parts of Helloween (ex) and the vocal miracle that is Jorn Lande, how could you possibly go wrong? Well Masterplan has suffered a bit from the sophomore slump producing a patchy follow-up that does not hold a candle to the debut.
There are some great songs that really let Jorn rip, like the power balladry of "After this War" and the absolute class of "Black in the Burn." When this CD gets going its pretty impressive but there are just some songs that do not live up to the band's normally high standard. A bit of a nice surprise is the bonus track "Treasure World" which is a quite good one has to admit.
Alas Jorn has headed off to pastures new and Masterplan are back with a new singer with the album MK2. Aeronautics is not a bad album by any standards and most bands would love to come close to the class, musicianship and talent on this release.
Spellblast: Horns of Silence
Despite the death metal logo, this lot play heads down, classy power metal with some degree of skill and talent. Clearly coming from the Gamma Ray school of power metal (as opposed to the slightly more melodic Helloween/Masterplan variety), Spellblast show lots of promise. While the CD did not rise above the average power metal on first listen there are elements in there which show through on repeated listens.
Yes, there are daft songs like "Goblins Song" but the band pull it off without sounding silly. Imagine Blackmoore's Night and Helloween doing a joint tune Kiske on vocals. It's one of those songs as a reviewer you should loath but finding yourself smiling nonetheless. I quite enjoyed this album, it has to be said. Full of clichés, power metal noodling, symphonic pomp and a wee dollop of humour, the band shows great promise. Not essential, but worthy of your attention.
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