History Lesson: Masterplan

Masterplan

Original video located here. Accessed 21st April 2010

In this life I will not be confined to just one interest: I want to experience as many things as I possibly can in my time. Thus I have been many things and have been involved with many things that have been outlets to satisfy my varied interests. I make it a point to let these individual interests succeed as separate entities and not try and mix them up. That being said, being in the middle of an anime geek phase does not mean that anime music influenced my tastes in ‘normal’ music. There was one exception however and Masterplan was it.

Masterplan are a power metal band from Germany whose (English) lyrics deal with (mostly) uplifting themes. So how did an anime geek became aware of them? Well, their best known song, Spirit Never Dies, used for a fan-made music video. Although the video was stunning by itself, I was taken by the music and how it exhibited a sense of motivation and inspiration I have not in any metal band whatsoever. Considering this was married with the power and energy from metal, this was a shot in the arm. It made me want to go out and do things. Thus, it became a major source of motivation and inspiration in 2005 when I went back to University to study post-graduate. More significantly, when I conquered my personal demons (chronicled in essay no.2), I listened to this album, with it’s lyrical themes and punching music, constantly afterward. Really, I can’t explain the emotional weight in singing each and every word to Spirit Never Dies like you mean it.

Key Album: Masterplan (2003) This is the sound of five musicians, each from other metal bands, having the time of their lives. This, along with the lyrics, have always struck me as the most significant thing about this album. Like the Dirty Three I use this album as an antidote to the whinging emo bands around (who avoid a sense of well-being like the plague). Also, it shows a degree of experimentalism metal bands rarely show and plays up on keyboards (which are usually disregarded by metal bands). Additionally, I have fond memories of singing the words to this album with my best friend Sammi.