After the break with Jorn Lande (vocals) and Uli Kusch (Drums) the upcoming album became very important for Masterplan (Roland Grapow). The reason for that you can read in the Roland Grapow interview. The new singer is Mike DiMeo and the new man behind the drum kit is Mike Terrana. The change of the band line-up really had a very positive effect on both the band and the music. The atmosphere in the band is great again, this is very apparent. MK II is definitely one of the best Masterplan albums. The funny thing is that the voice of Jorn would do very well on this album but isn’t really missing. This fact is absolutely a great compliment to Mike DiMeo; especially in the fast songs he has a powerful voice.

Now back to the album, MK II has become an album with a lot of different hard rock styles, from fast to psychedelic and even commercial songs. It is obvious that Roland has found new inspiration and energy again with this new line up. The guitar solos are quite impressive; the structure of the more psychedelic songs is great. The first song ‘Phoenix Rising’ is a bombastic intro followed by ‘Warriors Cry’, a fast song with a lot of double bass drumming; it reminds me of the old Helloween albums.

‘Warriors Cry’ blasts out of your speakers. I have to admit that the song is not something new but performed greatly. The song ‘Masterplan’ is also a fast song but it’s not a copy of ‘Warriors Cry’.

The first single is ‘Lost And Gone’ it takes 2:59 minutes and is the shortest song on the album and the only song without any solo. ‘Enemy’ and ‘Keeps me Burning’ are also very radio minded. Absolutely highlights are ‘Take me Over’ and ‘Heart of Darkness’; both songs have psychedelic influences, heavy riffs, superb vocals and a great structure. ‘Heart of Darkness’ takes almost seven minutes and has a very impressing ending.

Does this album have any minus point? The answer is no! Because of the varied metal songs and the great performance, MK II has become a strong beginning of Masterplan after Jorn and Kusch. I can strongly recommend this album to fans of Jorn and Masterplan and to fans of the ‘80s metal. Buy this album!