Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Master - Vindictive Miscreant (Transcending Obscurity)




Paul Speckmann is a metal warrior!  And he’s back with another Master album!  Vindictive Miscreant is exactly what Master fans come to expect from its creator.  This is some heavy classic death metal with a very distinctive sound.  It’s the Chicago sound Paul helped to invent back in the day.  Master’s influence all over the world in simply undeniable.  Speckmann could relax and rest, but he does not take the easy way out.  He is still releasing music, touring, and staying visible.  The album is very strong, full of heavy rhythms, and killer grooves.  Lyrically, Paul is still attacking civil unrest, injustices, and problems of society.

Many accuse Speckmann of not progressing, but he’s doing exactly what he should be doing.  Master has a very specific style, and it delivers every single time.  The tracks are well written and simply smoke!  One of my particular favorites is The Inner Strength of The Demon with its Sabbath influenced riffs, but there really isn't a song on this album that wouldn't give 100% Speckmann.  Much has to be said about guitarist, Zdenek Pradlovsky and drummer, Alex Nejezchleba who complete Master for many years now.  Both players completely understand the classic Master sound, and provide very solid back up for Paul.

Vindictive Miscreant is very much in your face heaviness, much like most of Master’s catalog.  Speckmann does not compromise and gives you an album as heavy as he would 30 years ago.  Paul's bass really drives the songs as you would expect it would.  The tracks work much like a complicated mathematical equations, there is a common denominator out there, just look for it.  Paul Speckmann may now be based in the Czech Republic but it’s pure Chicago coming out of the speakers!

Mark Kadzielawa

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