Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Masterplan Time To Be King Company: AFM Records Release: 2010 Genre: Power, Hard Rock Reviewer: Chris Kincaid

The kings have reclaimed their throne

Jorn Lande is back as the frontman for Melodic Power Metal heroes Masterplan and their 4th studio album "Time To Be King". Replacing Mike DiMeo who stepped in for the M.I.A Lande originally. Jorn brings back with him the vocal intensity and soulful punch that only he can carry in songs that are epic and full of grace. Although it's not a full scale reunion as Uli Kusch no longer sits in on the skins--that spot belongs to Mike Terrana whose work is so seamless it'll likely cause people to forget Uli's name!

Picking up where they left off on the 2005 "Aeronautics", their newest release has the same clean guitar driven sound and polished studio production with challenging but catchy songwriting that Masterplan are known for--lyrics taking one deep into the psyche. They're tales that'll leave you lingering in a world of loneliness before rising above it all with a sense of purpose and a new found strength. Such is the case with 'The Black One' or 'Under The Moon' and the melancholy of 'Lonely Winds Of War'. If those types of songs bore you then you'll dig the energetic title track as well as songs like the pumping opener 'Fiddle Of Time', and the groove laden 'Blow Your Winds' which has some sweet keyboard action from Axel Mackenrott. A definite mention to 'Blue Euphoria' a song that has been adopted by Europe as an anthem of sorts. It's message of a united front resonates loud and clear with most countries these days.

If you're a fan of their first 2 efforts than pick this one up. Because the kings have reclaimed their throne! Now it's time for the coronation to begin.