Masterplan or Helloween???

[Kai-Guy]

Well, now that both bands have their c.d.'s out--I guess we should ask the question---Which one tickles your 'metal bone' more??? I figured since we all love our metal but, at the same time we all like to debate what everyone else likes---let's see what kind of comments we get about these two c.d.'s. Personally, I will have to go with 'Masterplan". Just a great album---I like the Helloween(and can't wait to see them here in the states) but, the Masterplan just kicked my ass--and still does. So, enjoy the poll and remember---we are the lucky one's--we get to listen to Heavy Metal---everyone else is screwed!!! Metal-On

 

[ashaman7122]

Man...is it just me...am I the only one that has Masterplan at the top of my list for Best Album of 2003 (so far)?

Sure, there has been some great metal released this year, and I've snatched it all up as it comes, but this album just consistently kicks my ass. When I play it for friends that are "kind of" into metal, I think they'll love it, but so far nobody has...and I just don't get it.

Yeah, there's more advanced material, or heavier, or catchier, or whatever rings your bell, but good songwriting and arrangements, good production, and just a ballsy attitude will win out everytime. Like Mike Portnoy said, "It's all about balls and chunk!"

Helloween...still trying to absorb it...sure it's a Helloween album alright...it's even a pretty damn good Helloween album...but it's just lacking something. Style? Originality? Aggressiveness? I just can't help feel that it's just a notch behind what would make a great Helloween album, like they've regressed just a touch. (Man, that song that rips off Perfect Gentlemen just makes me grate my teeth everytime.)

Personally, I think it's funny that the band just shuns The Dark Ride as if it's such an embarrassment. Sure, it wasn't your typical "European Happy-Metal", but what a great album, so was Better Than Raw. I love the new one, just not quite what I expected.

In summary, Helloween sounds exactly like a band that was rebuilding, redirecting, and trying (maybe too hard) to re-create past glories. Masterplan, on the other hand, shows what happens when two competent musician/songwriters get booted from a band and now have their chance to let it all out.

That being said...it will be interesting to see how future Masterplan material stands up.

Enough for now...this should give you everyone plenty of ammo to blast away...

 

[INFINITE-DREAMS]

I Agree With You Guys, Masterplan Is A Great Cd. I Thought It Would Be Good Since It Had The Two Guys From Helloween. I'm Enjoying It More Than I Thought I Wuold.
I Hade Never Heard The Singer Before This, He Is Very Good. Now I'm Thinking About Getting Some 'ark' Or 'jorn' Cd's. Does Anybody Have This Other Cd's And Which Would You Suggest???

I Wasn't Sure What To Think About The New Helloween When The Band Was Talking About Making A 'happy' Alblum. I Think The 'dark Ride' And 'better Than Raw' Were Great Even Though The Band Thought They Were Too Dark. I Did Finally Buy The New One And I'm Very 'happy' With It. It Is Alot Better Than I Was Expecting. Since I've Had The Masterplan Alot Longer, It's Hard To Say Which One Is Better. They Are Both Worth Buying!!

 

[YtseJammer]

Masterplan is probably my album of the year at this point..

The Helloween album hasn't grown on me YET...but Better than Raw didn't grow on me right away..now it's my favorite Deris album.

 

[Demonspell]

Masterplan for not having a rabbit on the front cover and lyrics about things growing in one's pants...in reality, aside from Enlighten Me and Slowburn, the album does nothing for me.

 

[ProgMetalFan]

Masterplan

I don't like Helloween... and the one song I heard from the new album is horrible

I'm not a huge fan of Masterplan... and it PISSES me off that Jorn left Ark for this... but the album is decent... I like 8 out of 11 songs... with "Sail On" being my favorite.

 

[97reb]

Masterplan music is awesome, vocals and lyrics suck.

 

[Creeps]

I really like the Masterplan album, I couldnt stop listening to it for a long time.. then came Mercenary (thanks Glenn), and then Circle II Circle

The new Helloween doesn't leave my car unless I bring it in the house with me to listen to it..

I'd have to say though, the Circle II Circle album is my most played for the past month.

oh, and I voted for the Helloween, that album grabbed me faster than Masterplan's

 

[General Zod]

I vote for Ark. Jorn, please call Tore.


GZ

 

[Demonspell]

While we're at it, have Roy Khan call him too.

 

[sh0kr0k]

Helloween are legendary but that Masterplan is damn good!

~Sh0k~

 

[General Zod]

While we're at it, have Roy Khan call him too.

Though I prefer Ark to Conception, either singer working with Tore would be better than what they are currently up to. I thought "Epica" would launch Kamelot, but instead they have taken a step back, or at best, sideways.

GZ

 

[Wishmaster]

Though I prefer Ark to Conception, either singer working with Tore would be better than what they are currently up to. I thought "Epica" would launch Kamelot, but instead they have taken a step back, or at best, sideways.

GZ

It's been a while since I've listened to Ark, and I sometimes wonder if I'd end up preferring Jorn's solo stuff or Masterplan over it. I like Conception a lot, and would like to see them do another album, but I'd also like to see where Kahn and Kamelot go next. I definitely agree that "Epica" was a step sideways (I can't say backwards as I liked it about as much as I liked "Karma," but not as much as I liked "The 4th Legacy"). Of course, I'd just be happy if the "Epica" tour came through the States.

--Mike