MASTER Mainman Talks About New Album 'Slaves To Society'

Masterful Magazine recently conducted an interview with MASTER mainman Paul Speckmann. An excerpt from the chat follows:

Masterful Magazine: Your new album "Slaves to Society" is ready. I hope that nothing really changed and we still will be able to find the true spirit of MASTER on the new album. Would you even consider comparing it to your previous works?

Speckmann: Well, as always I write the music, based on what is happening in a particular time frame. The things that are going on in the world as well as my personal life deeply affect the writing on a particular CD. So, comparing the new CD "Slaves to Society" to another CD wouldn't really be fair as time has progressed since the past releases. Of course I believe that all the releases of the past had their good and bad points, but I still continue to believe in my present work, or I would have quit many years ago. I will say that "Slaves to Society" is one of the fastest records I have ever recorded, yet the old MASTER intensity is still there. I spent more time on the aggressive vocals on this record than I ever have in the past. The bass and drums were recorded together in only six hours, which is really a record for us. The guitars and vocals as well as the solos were recorded at a much slower rate, and the sound was also very focused upon. I think many of the old MASTER fans will be pleasantly surprised. I am looking forward to the reactions of the fans with this record.

Masterful Magazine: Zdenal Pradlovsky (drums) and Alex Nejezchleba (guitar) have been a part of MASTER lineup for four years. What are these guys like? And what is their influence on MASTER's sound and style on the latest releases?

Speckmann: On this record Alex Nejezchleba wrote the music for two tracks. I decided this would be a great idea this time, as Martinelli wrote music for a few tracks on "On The Seventh Day", and this gives MASTER a different approach as well as a challenge for me as a lyricist. I always appreciate help in writing, but in the past few years, it was never offered. The drummer Pradlovsky obviously plays the drums the way he likes. I usually just point out a few breaks and ideas, but it's really up to him. Both of the MASTER players are younger than I, and this means that they are from another generation of metal, and this also adds to the sound. The guys are cool motherfuckers, and have been through thick and thin with me. Thankfully I have been able to offer shows and tours every year, so it keeps them quite busy.

Masterful Magazine: How long did it take you to write new songs? Did anything change in your writing style and process over all these years since your first classic albums — "Master" and "On the Seventh Day..." ?

Speckmann: I usually write songs over a year, on a micro-cassette recorder, and bring them to practice, and we sort through them and put the tracks together. I believe I still write the same way as I always have, but let's face it, people are always still stuck on the old albums. So, of course I play tracks live from the past, year after year. I still find pleasure in playing the old songs as well. It seems many people always are stuck in the past. But let's face it. I would rather hear "Reign in Blood" myself as well as "Ace of Spades" live myself. Speaking of the first CD from MASTER, things were different in those days, and fortunately there were three of us writing the songs, so the spices were different. Due to the insecurities of original members Schmidt and Mittelbrun, I was forced to carry on alone. "On the Seventh Day" was written very quickly and this was my first real outing with MASTER on my own. But again, Martinelli added the music to "Heathen" and "Who's Left To Decide", and these were also killer tracks. Martinelli freaked in the studio, and Masvidal had to come in and finish the album.

Read the entire interview at Masterful Magazine.