A bit of history: back in the days during the tour of “The Dark Ride”, Roland and Uli (then members of HELLOWEEN) started a side project. And even with HELLOWEEN living a good moment on its career, they were fired with the excuse of being more focused on their project. Free of such responsibility, both decided to turn the project into a full-time band, and the name chosen: MASTERPLAN. The band’s first album, “Masterplan”, was released back on 20 January 2003, and received praises and was voted as the album of the month in Sweden Rock Magazine, Rock Hard and Heavy, Oder Was?! in Germany, and Metal Factory in Switzerland. It’s more than justified this new release of “Masterplan”, because it’s about to complete 20 years of its original release.

One can ask if the band follows the footprints of Roland and Uli past band, and the answer is no. The genre can be said the same: Heavy/Power Metal with very good technical appeal on each instrument, but with a heavier appeal and catching melodies. Of course one can state comparisons, but this one must have in mind that Roland and Uli spent many years on their former band as musicians and writers. On the vocals, after two declinations (Russell Allen, because he was busy with SYMPHONY X, and Michael Kiske, who wanted to keep away from the metal scene on those days), the presence of Jørn on the vocals (on those days recognized due his singing on bands as ARK, MILLENIUM, BEYOND TWILIGHT and the first solo album) made a lot of difference. It’s obvious that the success the band had on those days was a reflex of the need to make it works! And even today, after 20 years, these songs didn’t lose their shine.

The album was produced by the band along with Andy Sneap (who did the recordings at Crazy Cat Studio, Hamburg), and was mixed by Mikko Karmila and mastered by Mika Jussila (both doing their works at Finnvox Studio, Helsinki). The result is a huge and weighty sonority, clean and defined, but with an organic appeal as well that is still sounding actual and fresh after all this time. Once more: as the core trio was composed by experienced musicians, they knew what they wanted. And as guests on the album, here are Michael Kiske on the additional vocals on “Heroes”, Janne Wirman (then the keyboardist of CHILDREN OF BODOM) playing on all tracks, Ferdy Doernberg (who plays with Axel Rudi Pell and played on Roland’s solo albums) on the keyboards on “Into the Light”, and the studio bass player who appears on the B-sides.The songs of “Masterplan” still shine as classics after 20 years, and this anniversary version is really great.

There’s nothing to be said about moments as “Spirit Never Die” (a typical ‘ready-to-get-wild-on-the-shows’ Power/Heavy Metal song with thunderous work on bass guitar and drums, and what lovely chorus), “Enlighten Me” (the first Single of the album, a melodic and climatic song plenty of a melancholic appeal and with excellent vocals), “Kind Hearted Light” (here one can find some elements that were usual on Uli and Roland past band, but with excellent guitar riffs and arrangements), “Crystal Night” and “Soulburn” (two heavier and aggressive songs based on slow tempos and with elegant choruses, with charming keyboards parts), “Heroes” (again something the resembles to HELLOWEEN can be heard, with excellent chorus and singing), “Sail On” (another song with Heavy/Power Metal appeal and elements, with silk melodies and a heavy work on bass guitar and drums contrasting with tender keyboards), “Into the Light” (a tender and grandiose ballad, with great vocals and clean chords), “Crawling from Hell” (a more aggressive song with sharp guitars that are tempered with very good melodies weaved by the keyboards), “Bleeding Eyes” (where some Middle-East melodies are heard with abrasive slow tempos, with heavy and powerful drumming), and “When Love Comes Close” (another ballad, focused on a melancholic work of piano, vocals and acoustic guitars on the beginning, before gaining energy and a tender appeal) that weren’t said on these 20 years, but time didn’t passed for them. And as bonus of this version, here are “The Kid Rocks On” (originally a bonus of the Japanese version, and sounds into a more URIAH HEEP way in some moments, but always with a heavier essence), “Through Thick & Thin” (another bonus for Japanese Version, and that could be found on Brazilian version as well, with a more accessible appeal, rich in simple melodies), and “Black Dog” (another bonus for Japanese and Brazilian versions, used for the LED ZEPPELIN’s tribute “The Music Remains the Same”, release by Locomotive Music, and it’s great to hear such heavier version that respects the original elements of such classic). But as a celebration, there’s a DVD as well, with “Live in Gothenburg 2003” and “Masterplan Off Stage”.

As final words, one must understand that this anniversary version for “Masterplan” isn’t here to earn money, but to celebrate such a date. And maybe it can ignite their flame once more for a new MASTERPLAN album.