Sombre Arcane

The next album of the mighty Master is coming soon. I hope some of you know this cult death metal band, if not, let’s read these questions to know more about them, their current situation, and this forthcoming album…

Clément: Hail Paul! You’re the leader of one of the older (you're likely to be the oldest one, aren't you?) death metal band still on the road, the Motörhead of death metal: Master. Nowadays, bands are coming back like Asphyx, Nirvana 2002, Autopsy, but your band has never splitted. Are you proud to be one of the older (or even the oldest) death metal band, despite the lack of popularity (Entombed or Obituary for example are more popular)?

Paul Speckmann: I am an American original and this is what matter most for me and Master. Although I respect the bands you mentioned, the fact of the matter is that we are still a dominant band in the underground and never left the scene for any reason. Many of these reformed bands have a killer image though, bald, fat and silly looking. Many bands excluding Autopsy are only reforming to make some money. There are so many gullible people that will support the comebacks instead of visiting the concerts of the original bands that never left.

It's a shame to ask, but as many people don’t know you, can you introduce the loads to the young trends, and all the earlier projects like Death Strike?

This is a question that can be answered by visiting the biography on master-speckmetal.com

It's really becoming too tedious to answer this same question over and over. I will be releasing my autobiography called, Speckmann, Surviving the Undeground next Christmas, so people can read the story there.

Why did you choose the name Master?

Actually a bloke named Rick Manson named the band in the early days when I was busy with Deathstrike. The name comes from Lord Of This World, from the Master Of Reality album from Black Sabbath.

To continue with past days questions, do you think / are you aware that if the Unreleased 1985 Album was released in 1985, the same year of Possessed’s Seven Churches, you could be as important as Possessed, Death or Morbid Angel today?

I am as important regardless of this my friend. I am still alive and true to my music. This is what's most important.

About your discography, why have you always used ugly artworks? :D

Opinions are like asholes, everyone has one my friend.

Master is quite an untypical band as some of the songs/lyrics are talking about political subjects, wich isn't often the case in death metal. Maybe cause of punks influences?

Again originality is a thing of the past. If we sang about Satan we might be rich, but it's not about money. It's about integrity. Politicians dominate the world and should be removed from power. The power should be returned to the people.

Back in the present, "The Human Machine" would be released this year by Pulverised Records, can you say when, exactly?

May 25th will be the worldwide release.

What can you say about this forthcoming album? Like Motörhead who always plays Motörhead, will Master always plays Master?

Master will always play Master. I have never bent to trends, only the bigger bands of the genre do this. I will always stay true to myself. This is by far the most aggressive album we have recorded in years. The Human Machine will be mong the top albums of the year in this genre for sure, mark my words.

Is there any concept behind this title?

Yes, the world has become a Human Machine working for the governments. Freedom is nearly lost. George Orwell was right about this planet. Soon there will be chips in people’s bodies. Every year a bit more freedom is removed from the so-called organized societies. You have to love the cameras around England.

I saw that you’re on tour to promote The Human Machine, but I haven't seen any dates in France? Is there a reason? Have you ever come in France?

Yes I have been in France numerous times over the years. Where were you? Obituary played a killer show along with Master in 2004 with over 1000 people. I guess you missed it.

Well, I think you’ve seen the poster of Maryland Deathfest 2010, mainly focused on old-school bands (Possessed, Autopsy, Asphyx, Obituary, Entombed, Pestilence, Nirvana 2002, Incantation), why don’t you play in this show? Are you ok with it? Will you go to this fest?

I wasn't asked and no why would I go. I am on tour over 200 days per year. I am on tour in Europe right now and just returned from six weeks in Brazil. Many of the bands on this festival don't even tour anymore with the exception of Incantation and Obituary. Have you looked at the picture of these clowns that are reforming today, fat, bald and just plain silly looking. Maybe we will play next year.

 

What is your vision of the current Death Metal scene? More and more progressive, technical, melodic or deathcore bands. Far from the real death metal spirit, it is painful for some bands, meanful for many others... what about you?
Crap

 

But, some little bands like Bastard Priest continue to “spread the virus”, have you ever listened to them? Well, this is what we can read about them on the myspace of Darkthrone:
“fenriz life span:
1971 - born
1983 - balls dropped
2009 - heard BASTARD PRIEST and the JAW dropped.

www.myspace.com/bastardpriestsweden
it sounds like DEATHSTRIKE's fuckin' death demo got married to the sound of
Scandinavia.” (Fenriz)
 

Are you aware and proud of this influence you could have on some recent bands? (You can read my interview on Sombre Arcane soon, and you’ll see that they said you’re one of their main influences.)

Cool

Another band from Chicago I love is Cianide (maybe an interview later… ^^), are you friends with them?

They wear Master shirts if that's what you mean, just like Pestilence and Morgoth, Pungent Stench and many others on their first records.

But I saw you live now in Czech Republic, why? Do you like the Czech death metal scene? (I’m a fan of Lykathea Aflame)

There is real fredom in Europe and the Czech Republic for sure. Sorry for the short answers my friend, but there isn't much substance to the questions here.

Do you know any French death metal (or another genre of metal)?

Not really, I guess a few bought on to the tours with Vital Remains, but I cannot remember the names anymore.

Hm, it’s stupid but, my little sister wonders since when you didn’t cut your beard…

15 years ago was the last and final shave. My wife likes my beard between her legs.