We can't complain. Most of the journalists and fans are responding really positive about it.

Even if we usually regret some details here and there - done in the studio - I think Aeronautics sounds very fresh and exciting; on a level I was really surprised. I mean, how much more freshness can there be heard in the follow up of a two-year-old album? You seem to have worked pretty hard but also quite inspired!

We felt a bit of a pressure, I have to admit, after that success with the first album but that didn't distract our process to work on strong material for songs. As always, in the beginning it's kinda difficult to find a direction if you only have fragments. But the more you put yourself into it the clearer the picture gets. What's coming out on the end has to be strong in some kinda way. At least it has to convince yourself and has to make yourself be a fan of what you are doing.

Absolutely not. Only two lyrics are connected to Aeronautics in a metaphoric way. The idea for the artwork and the title came very late and some of the lyrics were already written. Also the songs are too far from each other to find that album as a concept album in a sense of dynamic build-up like an opera or Queensryche`s Operation: Mindcrime witch in my opinion is not possible to top.

Would you ever imagine Masterplan creating an e.g. 100% love album [Laughs]? You know, in the typical Whitesnake way!

When I was younger I didn't like love songs so much and thought that ballads were boring. But nowadays I think that love is a very important part of our life and I can put myself really into a situation if I listen to the right song. Love can move so much and a love song doesn't need to necessary be a slow song. Yes, I could imagine that.

I haven't seen Roy this time and not for the first album cause Roland worked with him on his song-material only. Working with Andy is always great because he knows exactly what he is doing and gives great advice sometimes.

As soon as you find enough distance from your previous work you might find things you didn't hear at the production period and you think you're gonna change this and that. But finally there is always something to point out and to make better or let's say different. An album can show pretty much how you feel and what you wanna reach. That mission will never end in that sense.

I have the impression that every band featuring well-respected musicians already has a plus when releasing its debut album. So, the second album is - for me - the one to be named as critical, since the fans are not willing to hang on to each member's individual reputation for a second time if the album itself isn't good.

That's right, and an important step for the band to prove their abilities. But one more important album to me is the third, when most of these collected All-star-projects die most of the time.

07.05.2005 (Saturday) @ Dynamo Open Air 2005 (NL)
13.-15.05.2005 (Friday - Sunday) @ Rock Hard Festival (GER)
15.06.2005 (Wednesday) @ Osaka (J)
16.06.2005 (Thursday) @ Tokyo (J)
25.06.2005 (Saturday) @ Bloodstock Open Air festival (GB)
03.07.2005 (Sunday) @ Bospop (BEL)
22. or 23.07.2005 (Friday or Saturday) @ Earthshaker festival, Geiselwind (GER)
6.08.2005 (Saturday) @ Gates of Metal (S)

We're gonna play as much as possible off from the new album and hope to get a great feedback.

I have no idea. England brought out some of the most important, inspiring Metal acts ever and it's just weird why the mark died. I'm not in the record industry as a strategic salesman but if I would be I would try all I could to bring that back to life again.

Also in Japan that market situation is not as good as in the mid 90's.But compared to other acts we are selling good enough to build something up and get invitations to play midsize venues at least in the rock capitals like Tokyo and Osaka.

I feel a special bound between us. Without talking much about it we know what we wanna reach together and we think we know how. It's great to share experiences and make them together in a constructive way. We've not always been friends and had our ups and downs but in the end we are very proud about all these years and have some kinda reason to celebrate Masterplan. 🙂

Yes he is. And sometimes we are a little afraid about the offers he gets. But I think he was the missing link in Masterplan, and he appreciates it and knows how important it is not to be alone these days. I trust him as a musician and wish that this will last very long.

Maybe. I never thought about that. I could have also ended up as a carpenter. I describe myself as a musician and if Metal would have not existed I might have been a pianist playing in Hotel bars...

From the Speed / Thrash chaos of Holy Moses in the late 80's, to the technical Power Metal of Masterplan. I always believed it's a good thing for a musician to extend his horizons through different kinds of music (not just in Metal) both as an artist but also as a fan.

That's absolutely what I think!!!

The band were musicians from my hometown Aachen that I knew from the very beginning. After I left Gamma Ray, I joined that band and recorded an album called Grab What You Can. But except for some local gigs not much more happened because at this time no one was interested in Heavy Metal but in Grunge. So when I got the offer from Helloween, I took that chance.

I was a big Priest fan myself especially between Defenders Of The Fiath and Screaming For Vengeance. That reunion is great but I haven't heard any new songs yet. If I have the time I will maybe go to a gig.

I never liked Black Sabbath much. But of course they were an important band and inspiration for many musicians.

Thank you.