MASTERPLAN, which features former HELLOWEEN guitarist Roland Grapow, will release a new studio album titled "PumpKings" on July 28 via AFM. The effort consists of reworked versions of HELLOWEEN songs from albums that Grapow played on during his time in the legendary German power metal band. Included are three songs from HELLOWEEN's "Pink Bupples Go Ape" (1991) LP, two from "Chameleon" (1993), three from "Master Of The Rings" (1994), one from "The Time Of The Oath" and two from "The Dark Ride" (2000). The song "Escalation 666", taken from "PumpKings", can be streamed below. "The idea for this project was born more than three years ago," Grapow recalls. "I'm proud of the songs, but these days I'd do certain things a bit different. So it was an easy decision to re-record them with MASTERPLAN now. It took quite a while to come up with the album because I was busy with other productions in my studio and in addition we had just released our 'Keep Your Dream aLive' DVD with MASTERPLAN in the fall of 2015, so there was no reason to rush things." "Our new versions of the songs are heavier definitely," Roland adds. "It would have been pointless to just reproduce the tracks exactly as they were back then. But I feel that with our new take on it, the different vocals and overall more rough attitude, 'PumpKings' could be an interesting thing for both MASTERPLAN and HELLOWEEN fans. However, it was great fun to revisit this very important phase of my career — like meeting old friends." "PumpKings" track listing: 01. The Chance 02. Someone's Crying 03. Mankind 04. Step Out Of Hell 05. Mr. Ego 06. Still We Go 07. Escalation 666 08. The Time Of The Oath 09. Music 10. The Dark Ride 11. Take Me Home MASTERPLAN's first-ever concert release came out in October 2015. "Keep Your Dream aLive" was made available as DVD/CD and Blu-ray/CD sets, both including the entire show from Masters Of Rock festival, recordings from Wacken Open Air, footage from the band's Asian tour and ProgPower USA, as well as all five official MASTERPLAN video clips. The Masters Of Rock show is featured on the CD. MASTERPLAN's latest studio album, "Novum Initium", was released in June 2013 via AFM. Joining guitarist Grapow in MASTERPLAN's current lineup are drummer Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka (CRADLE OF FILTH), singer Rick Altzi, keyboardist Axel Mackenrott and bassist Jari Kainulainen (STRATOVARIUS, SYMFONIA, DEVIL'S TRAIN).
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