MASTER (Eng.)
– Hello Paul, thanks for answering to our questions. What are you currently up to? How is everything doing right now with MASTER?
Actually I’ve had about two weeks off since the last festival in Germany. Things really pick up in August! We have about 80 or so shows on the horizon through next spring, so things are really just fine at the moment. The last few years have been busy as hell so I am quite please with Master’s current situation! The war machine rolls on for sure!
– WARCRY was your first professional band after playing covers with WHITE CROSS so, what did this band mean (or does still mean) to you? What did you learn from this experience?
Warcry was really my first professional experience. This band brought me to the stage supporting bands like The Joe Perry Project,. Mountain and Twisted Sister. So this was a great opportunity to perfect my stage performances, a learning experience by all means. Warcry played mostly cover songs as well but from Metal bands and white Cross played cover of Rock bands. But Warcry got as far as writing the Trilogy of terror demo so we were definately headed in the right direction!
– In fact Doomentia Records has re-released the “Trilogy of Terror” demo. How did you come up with this idea?
I began posting a few tracks from the demo and people began showing interest in Warcry. Lukaš from Doomentia asked me about releasing this Trilogy of terror stuff but I thought the recording was too short. We both agreed on a 7-inch and the rest is history! Doomentia as always did superb packaging with a complete killer layout and and I am pleased with the end product! So get you copy while supplies last as they are selling very quickly as I knew they would!
– You’ve stated early DEATH were quite influenced by MASTER/DEATH STRIKE among other bands that were inspired by your sound but, being MASTER one of the very first Death Metal bands; what acts did influence you?
In those early days of Deathstrike and Master we were listening to bands like GBH, The Exploited, Discharge, Minor Threat, MDC and Motorhead, as well as the standards like Metallica and Slayer.
– You will soon release your new album, “The New Elite”. What are your expectations with it? How is its feedback being so far? Are you satisfied with the final outcome?
I expect the band will get a chance to tour with some bigger bands and hopefully play some bigger festivals next year, time will tell and we will see. People are raving about this album and some say it’s the best album Master has ever recorded which pleases me greatly as I can never get away from the comparisons to the first two very succesfful releases on Nuclear Blast. Of course the Master debut and On The Seventh Day are great albums as well but the past is the past. I need people to listen to the last several releases as well as The New Elite. all of these albums kick ass.
– As I said earlier, you are one of the pioneers into extreme Metal and are considered a cult band so, does this “status” make you work under more pressure when creating a new opus or does it give you more strength and motivation?
I don’t waste my time with labels my friend. I sit in my office at home or in the backyard with the acoustic guitar and write riffs throughout the year every year, and then I try and arrange songs. I bring these to the guys at rehearsals and we try them out. Normally it’s just the drummer and I. We work out arrangements on the drums and the guitar. I show them to Aleš Nejezchleba then pick up my bass and figure out what I want to play and we go from there. Aleš brings in two or three songs and teaches them to me and we go from there. The drummer Pradlovsky shows us different ways to play the drums and we decide on a format and he writes the fills etc, and then we go to the studio after a few weeks of practice and record the tracks. It’s really the same process we’ve done for the last 9 years together.
– Your previous “The Human Machine” was a superb effort, though with each new release you’ve managed to top your own standards but, what could you say are the main differences between your previous effort and this new “The New Elite”?
The difference is really in the songs nothing more. we record with the same motivation and energy for every album. The albums seem to improve every time, because the longer you play together the better it becomes. If not, it’s time for new members again. The studio technology improves as well every year.
– You have always remained true to yourself and your own music, and you’ve proved it once more with “The New Elite”. Is it something easy to do without copying yourself and still sounding fresh?
It’s easy because the world around us dictates the themes and the songs come naturally. I am not trying to write a song, they usually just come to me at different times.
– This being said, how could you describe “The New Elite” in just 3 words?
True, raw, aggression!
– Production on your albums sounds better with new album, anyway you have always recorded at Shaark Studios and the own band has always been involved with it. How has the production process been like this time around? And what does make Shaark Studios so positive for any MASTER’s release?
We spent more time mixing and remastered the CD about 10 times until we felt it was correct. Unfortunately like the last time as well on The Human Machine the processing plant raised the volume on the CD one decibal and it was not necessary we spent many hours getting it perfect nd again they ruined the recording. so I must speak with Pulverised about this or we will have to send the stuff to a different processing plant. Petr Nejezchleba is really pissed off about this again. The studio recording is much better than the release itself!
– This time you have had again a different artist for the artwork, and this one has a really different vibe to the cover on “The Human Machine”; was this what you were looking for? Would you mind to tell us how did you work on this and what does it represent?
The New Elite will bring death to all people! The cover speaks for itself really. I felt it was time to try a new artist and Mr. Bridgeman did a superb job.
– In fact all your covers I’d dare say have always had a strong link to your ideas/lyrics so, what do some lyrics on this new CD deal with?
I deal with the same issues on every CD except different things are happening across the globe every few years. Freedom is as always a thing of the past as the governments across the world take more control of day to day life. The New Elite will take over the world soon enough and people will be under complete control unless the youth stand up and be counted. The power must be removed from the handful of people in control of course.
– You have never shut up in political terms, and lately Europe has been through different political changes. What are your thoughts on all these latest events? In fact when I interviewed you a few years ago you stated young people don’t want to fight to change things anymore, are you still thinking the same? As there are different movements through Europe fighting hard to end with political corruption, etc.
Enough is never done to face the problems iín all societies. Rich people are ruling the world and the poor are starving. Food is becoming scarce as the problem of contraception has not been faced. Kids are born every second and the world is over-populated without a doubt. Governments tell people to have more babies and welfare is on the rise. I was smiling when the UK’s Prime Minister was describing all the problems with the welfare system.
Many people there have never worked a day in their life and get benefit and raise kids in this corruption. I have worked in one form or another all my life or I would be dead for sure.
– And what are your thoughts on the Internet and free downloads? Is it a good way of promotion or is it rather “killing” music as some people states?
Well I have to admit that I was pissed to fing The New Elite available for download before it has even been released, but what can I do about it, nothing! Yes I suppose it helps underground bands get some exposure and the bigger bands are barely effected, but a band like Master suffers for sure. We are neither big or small, we are somewhere in the middle so we suffer the most I think. On the other hand, I get more shows and interviewws due to the internet so there are pros and cons like with anything!
– Since over a decade ago you are living in Czech Republic; how is the Metal scene like right there? Are there any interesting bands?
The Metal scene in Czech has support from fans and the killer festivals like Brutal Assault and the Obscene Extreme Festivals. Bands from across the globe can share their music with people here in Czech, so this rules. There are many great bands like Fleshless and Pandemia, Root and the list goes on.
– I recall reading some time ago you were on the last stages of your biography, “Speckmann: Surviving the Underground”. Any news about this? Have you found an editor?
No news as of yet. I have yet to find someone interested in my memoires
– And finally, you are also planning The New Elite European Tour for later this year with DEHUMAN.
You can contact https://www.facebook.com/andrea.vissol for the Master Dehuman dates otherwise for other shows speckmannpaul@hotmail.com
– Have you already booked any show? How can people book you?
July 21st Master- Immortal Shadows Kozlovice, Czech Rep
July 28th Master- Amageddon in the park- Italy
August 18th Master- ŽELENICE u MOSTU (IL FES PT.7) Czech Rep
August 25th Master Brezovska Metalova Noc Festival vol.5. – Brezova u Sokolova, Czech Rep
August 30th Master Arschcholio Open-Air fest Stavenhagen, Germany
August 31st Master Kill-Town Death Fest- Copenhagen,Denmark
September 1st Master Death from the East 3 Schlosskeller Weisenfels, Germany
September 7th Master Dasslitz Schweinemast Open Air, Germany
September 8th – Deathstrike- Death Doomed The Age Festival-Pilgramsberg/Germany-Bavaria
September 9th Master Blue rose Saloon, Bresso (mi)
September 10th, Master- Lyss Kufa Carnage Feast, Switzerland
September 11th, Master La Rumeur, Lille, France
September 12th,Master Tilburg (Holland) Little Devil
September 13th, Master Brussel DNA club, Belgium
September 14th, Master Tannheim-Egelsee Club Schwarzer Adler, Germany
September 15th, Master, Lyss, Switzerland Carnage Feast
Master and Dehuman Dates
October 5th Abomination- Skullcrusher- Dresden, Germany
October 6th until the 14th Master and Dehuman Tour
October 7th@ Elite of the dead fest Oostende, Belgium
October 9th @ Heretic Club, Bordeaux, France
October 11th @Traffic Live Club. Rome Italy
October 12th @ Controsenso Club, Prato (nearfirenze) – Italia
October 13th @ Kulturcafé Schlachthaus Dornbirn, Austria
October 19th Master Master @ Schlachtfest (Metal Night X) in North Germany
November 3rd Master- UNITED FORCES FESTIVAL, Osterode/Harz (am Harz), Germany
November Brazilian Trek-Master
14.11 – Porto Alegre/RS (Brasil) @
15.11 – Curitiba/PR (Brasil) @
16.11 – Belo Horizonte/MG (Brasil) @
17.11 – TBA (Brasil)
18.11 – São Paulo/SP (Brasil) @ Carioca Club
Master Tour November 22nd Nov to 8th of Dec
January 12th 2013- Master-HARDMETALFEST – PORTUGAL
January 24 Colombia
January 25 Colombia
January 26 Colombia
March 2013 USA tour
NORTH AMERICAN DETONATION TOUR»
MASTER + SACRIFICIAL SLAUGHTER + TBA
Fri. March 1st – Los Angeles, CA
Sat.March 2nd – Sacramento, CA
Sun.March 3rd – Portland, OR
Mon.March 4th – Seattle, WA @ 2 Bit Saloon
Tue. March 5th – Boise, ID
Wed.March 6th – Salt Lake City, UT
Thu. March 7th – Cheyenne, WY @ Forum 619
Fri. March 8th – Omaha, NE
Sat.March 9th – St. Paul, MN
Sun.March 10th – Madison, WI
Mon.March 11th – Chicago, IL
Tue. March 12th – Cleveland, OH
Wed. March 13th – Albany, NY @ Bogies NY
Thu. March 14th – Boston, MA @ Radio
Fri. March 15th – Poughkeepsie, NY@ The Loft
Sat. March 16th – Philadelphia, PA
Sun. March 17th – Baltimore, MD@ Sonar
Mon March 18th – OFF DAY –
Tue. March 19th – Nashville, TN
Wed.March 20th – New Orleans, LA
Thu. March 21st – Little Rock, AR
Fri. March 22nd – Oklahoma City, OK
Sat. March 23rd – Ft. Worth, TX
Sun. March 24th – Austin, TX
Mon. March 25th – Midland, TX @ The Pinebox
Tue. March 26th – El paso, TX
Wed.March 27th – Tucson, AZ
Thu. March 28th – Phoenix, AZ
Fri. March 29th – Mexicali, MX
Sat. March 30th – Corona, CA
Sun. March 31st – Las Vegas, NV
Mon.April 1st – Fullerton, CA @ The Slidebar Rock N Roll Cafe
– That has been everything from my side, thanks you once more. If you want to add some final words; last lines are all yours.
Sure, thanks for the interview, people go out and buy The New Elite and support the underground and Master, see you on the road!
