ALBUM REVIEW: Vindictive Miscreant – Master

Paul Speckmann is one of the rarely celebrated OGs of death metal. After leaving Chicago doom metallers WAR CRY in the early 1980s, Speckmann went on to found MASTER in 1983 – though the self-titled debut wouldn’t be released until 1990. In the late 1990s, he relocated to the Czech Republic to join KRABATHOR, though he has kept MASTER alive in Europe since. 2018, 35 years after the band’s formation, Speckmann has released the outfit’s 14th record, Vindictive Miscreant, via Transcending Obscurity Records. 

Speckmann‘s OBITUARY-meets-MOTÖRHEAD style of glass-gurgling vocals starts proceedings, spitting “You’re nothing but a Vindictive Miscreant!” as the title tracks hits. The high momentum sets the tone for the record, only occasionally letting up in it’s near constant assault of grinding riffs and blasting drums, and throwing in flurries of blinding lead work when appropriate. Here in lies the issue with Vindictive Miscreant, the riffs and near-constant eviscerating tempo are solid, but the lack of variation in the tracks themselves leaves the five-to-six minute run time of the majority of the songs feel overlong. The title track, Actions Speak Louder Than Words, The Inner Strength Of The Demon and Engulfed In Paranoia could all have shaved a minute from the run time, and been all the punchier for it.

The slightly meandering nature of Vindictive Miscreant aside, the record has a metric ton of brilliance to sink your teeth into. After the three way punch of the title track, Actions Speak Louder Than Words and Replaced offering up fast, crusty death metal ferocity, The Inner Strength Of The Demon brings a touch of respite with a stompier pace. Though the track could have been slimmed down, the change of pace is a welcome one. The Book is far and away one of the strongest offerings on the record, easing the listener into a false sense of security with a short, doomy intro before ramping the tempo up. Drops in the constant speed to a more doomy pace and the return of the blazing lead work keeps The Book interesting throughout and allows it to stand as an easy highlight.

Sonically, there is very little to bemoan with Vindictive Miscreant. The production work is solid, allowing Speckmann‘s bass work to cut through without being overbearing while letting the blazing leads take the spotlight. The whole record feels tight and carries a punchy sound that’s only lost when certain songs slightly overstay their welcome. A constant feature throughout MASTER‘s discography has been Speckmann‘s unique style of vocals, that bring so much character to the band. These aren’t the demonic growls of your typical death metal band – there’s a hint of melody to his voice, and the glass-gurgling style coats the album in an OBITUARY-esque slime.

Vindictive Miscreant is another solid addition to MASTER‘s already expansive discography. Though the record lacks a touch of memorability, there’s a lot of top-class death metal going on here. The gravely drawl of Speckmann‘s vocals give the album a lot of character, offering something a bit different in a saturated death metal scene, and there’s plenty of solid riff work across the record. Where Vindictive Miscreant falls flat is in the length of the tracks. Many of the songs meander on for longer than necessary, failing to capitalise on the hard-hitting, punchy brand of old-school death metal MASTER do best. Vindictive Miscreant may not be the greatest record in MASTER‘s back-catalogue, but it is a solid, fun slab of visceral enjoyment.

Rating: 7/10

Vindictive Miscreant is out now via Transcending Obscurity Records. 

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