Master
Wywiad przeprowadził Aleksander Krzeczkowski
One of the most influential, one of the most dedicated and one of the oldest veterans of extreme metal scene. Paul Speckmann has always had a lot to say about his rich successfull career, but as long as his book is on its way we focused more on the latest venues including new Master's album "Slaves to society" which will be out on the 13th of April via German Twilight-Vertrieb. First, I wanted to win the prize for the most ridiculous question ever asked to Paul Speckmann.How long is your beard today, Paul?
I really have never measured it, but I will say that I haven't shaved since 1993. This is because my earlier image when I was a bit younger, was too soft. You look at many of the so-called Death Metallers, and many of them look like girly men. How can you take someone serious, if they look like an ugly girl???????
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?
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 effect 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 solo's 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.
Zdenal Pradlovsky (dr) and Alex Nejezchleba (g) have been a part of Master line-up for four years. What are these guys like? And what is their influence on Master's sound and style on the latest releases?
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.
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..."?
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 The 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 Whose Left To Decide, and these were also killer tracks. Martinelli freaked in the studio, and Masvidal had to come in and finish the album.
You recorded the new album in Shaark Studios again - home studio of Petr Nejezchelba (Alex's brother I guess) What is working there like? Does this place meet all your demands?
This is one of the most professional studios that I have ever worked in. The most important thing in a studio is professionalism, as well as work ethic. Both can be found here. And, even if the guys aren't really into a particular band, they still work as professionals. For Master of course it helps that Petr really enjoys the music we write. I first met Petr at Shaark studios during the recording of the band project called Martyr with Christopher and Skull from Krabathor. We've been working together on my releases since 1999. Why change a good thing. The studio grows every year and always gets the latest technological advances as they arrive on the market. I remember recording in Florida at Morrissound, and at the time you were just paying ridiculous amounts for the studio name as well as Scott Burns. Let's face it, some really great work came from that studio, but also some really shitty productions as well. The Speckmann Project for example. The drums sound inhuman.
Paul, I'm pretty sure that playing in Master is not profitable enough to survive ;). Since you help other bands as a merchandiser and tour manager does it mean that you manage to live from music in that way? What bands do you work for?
Yes I live from all aspects of the music, whether it be royalties, merchandizing as well as tour management, this is all I do. I admit as you said that I must combine all these aspects together, but it works for me. I enjoy the road and am on the road at least eight months of every year. I support many different bands. When I am offered a job, which is often, I of course take it. Next I will go on the road with Vital Remains, once again for 45 dates and then Master will tour for 30 dates one day after this. So needless to say, the music industry keeps me quite busy. I have worked with IllDisposed, Benediction, Macabre, Jungle Rot, Divine Empire, Konkhra, Dissection, Dismember, and the list goes on.
Does playing gigs still please you as much as it did in the past?
Of course. We entered the stage on the PartySan Festival 2006 in Germany, and the crowd went wild. Of course the feeling of the stage is nearly always the same. I live for the music and there is nothing like the stage, whether it's 200 people or 10,000 people it's still a rush for me.
Did you feel anything like a culture shock after moving to the Czech Republic? What's the best thing you personally enjoy the most in this country, and what do you miss the most while thinking about the United States? Do you speak Czech at all?
I have to laugh that when I first entered Brno, and saw the Communistic type buildings, I was taken aback. When I entered Uherske Hradiste I relaxed a bit. This was in 1999. Let's face it, everything is a bit slower where I live, but I like it this way. I lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, as well as Phoenix, so I have had my share of big cities. I like the fact that only 25,000 people live in Uherske Hradiste. It's a refreshing change after I return from a tour of all the major cities. It's great to just return to Czech and relax.
I really enjoy making the Slivovice and the wine with my father inlaw. Picking mushrooms in the forest is quite killer and relaxing as well. Of course the (Zabiaeka) is also killer. We killed two 100 kilo pigs last weekend in Hodonin, and made the klobása, jitrnice and jelito (Czech delicacies) It's a killer party without the women, only the men, Pilsen, and Slivovice.
There isn't much really that I miss in the USA. What's too miss? That terrorist George W. Bush? America is filled with crime, drugs, and police corruption. I say down with politicians, anarchy is the way. The youth of today need to take back this world that is ruled by old men, the bumbling idiots. We need to rule ourselves.
I speak a bit of Czech, but I have a long way to go. On the otherhand, many people are learning English, even in school. So in twenty years it will be no longer necessary for me. But I do honestly try.
I'm pretty sure you have had some experience with Czech gore grind scene - what's your opinion about it?
I think the Czechs are the best in this genre.
I read that you've already finished your autobiography book. Can you tell us a little bit about that? Do you reveal any juicy details about early US death metal scene? How personal is this book?
The book is called Speckmann, Surviving the Underground, and it deals with my take on life as well as my experiences in and around the scene. I have yet to find a publisher. Many people are afraid to publish the truth and that's a fact. I suppose there are a few stories about the early scene, and yes it is a very personal account of my life as well.
Let's go back to Krabathor times for a moment. We (Masterful) have been talking to Chris in 2003 and he told us that he was doing the music by himself after you joined the band - just because he didn't want to do the mix of two bands. Is that true? Were you off the writing process in Krabathor?
Dissuade Truth was written exclusively by Christopher, except I wrote the text on several tracks, but the music was exclusively written by him. Many people were saying Unfortuately Dead, was dead, and it had too much Master influence. So we agreed that maybe he should write all the music and I would write some lyrics such as Face The Intruder for example.
Chris left to Arizona (US) some time ago - and I guess it was the main reason for disbanding Krabathor(?) Do you know if he's going to play music again the United States with any local musicians?
I am not quite sure what's going on in his camp. We actually just began talking after nearly four years. Krabathor will most likely reform in 2009 for a reunion tour as well as a new CD. Time will tell, but we are definately talking about this these days. So be forwarned.
He called via Skype on my computer, and said he's been jamming in Arizona, but nothing very serious has been worked out.
You, and your bands (I'm talking about Master & Death Strike here) were one of the most influential bands in the extreme music back in 80's. Do you have any ambitions to add any new value to the current death metal scene with Master?
In what way do you mean? Obviously as you said in the beginning of the question, Master has added value to many bands on the scene. You can still hear the Master influence today on many groups. This influence will never go away. I have to laugh a bit at this question, because many of today's newer acts are nothing but copy-cats of the original groups, playing only regurgitated riffs. What more is their too add?????????
What do you think about this scene today?
The scene is improving as the festivals grow year after year and more people come to the concerts put on locally in every country.
Don't you feel like an old fashioned grandpa while hearing all these blast beats used in every single second of the music?
I never thought much of blast beats even from its inception. Just ask Alex Wank (Pungent Stench) what I said about his blast beats in 1990 on the Fleishe Tour. It's just noise, and maybe if you practiced a little bit more you wouldn't need to play these beats. Years later I would run into Mr. Wank, and he would say that I was correct. Of course, I am proud to be an old fashioned grandpa in the scene. How many of these other bands come and go year after year, but Master still survives. Master will always carry the torch of original Metal, as long as I live. Age is a state of mind. I am not afraid to play beside any band. Why should I be. I put my heart and soul in every performance, no matter what the circumstances.
I know it's an extensive question, but what do you consider to be "extreme" in metal today?
Motorhead, Slayer, and Braindrill from the USA. This is not my style this Braindrill, but the intensity is still there, as compared to 90 percent of the bands that play today. Just listen to 30 seconds of this Braindrill and you can kiss the Grind goodbye.
What can you tell us about your collaboration with Twilight-Vertrieb?
So far, so good, so what. Things are going as well as can be expected at the moment I suppose. Every label has room for improvement, just like every band and musician. The new CD will finally be released on May 11th, and we will see. This label Twilight is a family label, and the work ethic rules, so as they grow, hopefully distribution will grow, and Master will grow along with them. Twilight will become one of the biggest next to Nuclear Blast in the years to come. But better for the bands, as Nuclear Blast is just a greedy money machine that still rips of it artists in whatever sneaky way is possible. They're still putting my old songs out and making them available on download sights, and I own the rights to the songs. They are still making money from me years later. There is nothing I can do about it as the pay Gema millions in royalties year after year. So once again the man with the money continually wins. Money really is the root of all evil.
I heard that the label complained about the cover for "Slaves of Society". What does it contain?
I guess you will just have to wait and see. Of course in the end, we are all Slaves To Society, but we ended up finding a way to save the cover with only a few small changes. I will send you a copy as soon as we receive them from the printing factory.
I guess your lyrics are still based on anti-political background? A few more words about "Slaves to Society" lyrical content would be welcome.
The Final Skull
The science of their incubation, I think they'll soon be in control.
What is it with this fascination, the warheads are the mother load.
The secrets of societies, the victims are in dire need.
What good is the philanthropy, the world's already on its knees.
Are we enslaved? Can they withhold?
Are we enslaved? Under control.
With sanctity there's idol hatred, illusion can't be swept aside.
The fallacies of humans prosper, when no one's even forced to try.
The embrace of the final skull, the temptation of all they hold.
Is earth the only real hell? Will they discover somewhere else?
Break the chain, free your soul, a useless maze, complete control.
Does it help to live far from America to have a healthy assessment on Bush's doings?
It is completely better to stand on the outside looking in for a clearer picture of the terrorists ideology. CNN shows some pretty interesting pictures daily on the television. Definately this is food for thought. I suppose I might sell my records if I sang more about Satan, or digging up my mother from her grave and fucking her. But, this is just the silly nonsense that makes money today and brainwashes the kids to be followers of this silliness instead of thinking for themselves. The youth of today need to make a stand, and make the changes, or in the near future, man will fall into the abyss.
Presidential Elections in US are coming. Are you going to vote?
Another great question. This is great comedy brother. I have never voted. In a Democracy the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. The votes never count. It's always fixed, Maybe the Woman with the Serpent's tongue will do a better job! Corruption will never go away. These old men will continue to attack and kill innocent people until the end of time. War will always be an effective way for America to rule this planet. Will trade our blood for oil. America is the leading terrorist today and will always continue to dominate the world's stage, and all the world is a stage. While I answer this interview two of the neighbor's are cackling like chickens in Czech outside my door about nonsense I am sure. This is our world today. National Geographic plays on the television the latest plane crashes. Do people really want to watch the planes crash and become afraid to fly?
Are there any plans to release a DVD in the future? Or maybe you could reedit "Live At Mexico City" video on that format and add some other stuff?
Funny, I have never seen this so-called video that you speak of. Does this really exist? I just recieved a killer DVD from Germany PartySan, and maybe I will release it someday. A track can be found for free on myspace from the DVD at the Master sight. People can get more info on Master if they're interested at master-speckmetal.com or look up Master on Myspace.
What's your schedule for the nearest future? Is Poland in the bill?
I am sure Vital Remains will be playing Poland as well as Master in the near future. As I said earlier in the interview, Master tours every year since 2002 until today. So I hope too see you there. In the fall the Illinois band Lividity will also be touring, and I am looking forward to seeing my friends again. This is the best thing about the industry for me. I get a chance to hang out with many of my old friends and get paid as well. It's not a bad job.
OK - I think it's all for now. Last words are yours.
Support one of the real underground entities that has been around since the beginning. Don't waste your energy on the many Master copycats that rule the scene today. Thanks for the interview, and as my nephew says - " Keep it Metal".
www.master-speckmetal.com
