MASTER

TARTAREAN DESIRE WEBZINE

This interview with Paul Speckmann of the American death metal band Master was done through e-mail in June 2002.

Hello, how are you doing?
I´m doing great, we just finished a successful tour with Krabathor and the fans response to Master was great on this tour. Master is still alive and well!!!!!!!

You have just released your new album called "Let's Start A War", what has the response been like so far?
System Shock said the cd is selling very well, and the people seem to responding well to Let´s start A War.

Master is one of the legends in the death metal underground but the history of the band is still not known by many, could you please tell us how it all started?
I actually began playing in a band called Warcry first. We recorded one song for the Metal Massacre 4 cd called Forbidden Evil. I played my last show with this band opening for Queensreich and Twisted Fucking Sister in 1983. The original drummer and I left the band and formed Master. We were listening to Slayer,Show No Mercy, and Venom Welcome to Hell. We thought we could be as heavy. So we started Master.

You are now signed to the German label System Shock, a label not only dealing with metal, are you happy with their work so far?
I have been working with System Shock for years, and they have showed nothing but support for my many projects.

In the early days you were signed to Nuclear Blast, did they lose interest in you later on?
No they just decided they did not want to pay me the money they owed me. They openly admit to making loads of money from my many projects to this day!!!!!!

Do you have any plans to continue with your other projects Abomination, Deathstrike and Funeral Bitch?
No

Do you know what your old band members have been doing since those days? Are they still active musically?
They have become drug addicts. Some still live with their parents at 40 years old. Many have dissapeared from the scene altogether.

The title of your new album will probably raise a few eyebrows, what was your intention with it?
In America they are constantly promoting their military campaigns with television, radio, and posters. We want you is their motif.Uncle Sam is a popular figure in America, so Let´s Start A War.I remember the army coming to my home trying to recruit me at 16 years old. I was to busy smoking pot and playing music to hear his ridiculous voice!!!!!!!!

Can you tell us a little about the lyrics of the album? Do you write them all on your own?
The lyrics deal with the social isssues of the day. I deal with real life in the lyrics.Yes I write all my own lyrics.

What do you think of the metal scene of today, any newer bands that you enjoy in particular?
Sure there are too many to name.

What are your top 5 albums ever?
Motorhead No Sleep Til Hammersmith, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Rainbow Rising, Slayer Hell Awaits, Venom Welcome To Hell.

Now to my own and brand new right or wrong section. You are just going to tell us whether you think the following acts would be right or wrong:

a) If someone killed Hitler prior to his mass murder campaigns.
right

b) To burn down a church because it's "evil".
right

c) To burn down a church because it represents oppression.
right

d) Sado-masochism.
wrong

e) Death penalty.
right

f) To lie if it will be of benefit to yourself.
right

g) Censorship.
totally wrong

h) Religion.
wrong total bullshit

i) Communism.
wrong

Any final words for the fans?
Check out Let´s Start a War If you like real metal, you will not be dissapointed.