Master is an American death metal band led by Paul Speckmann. Formed in Chicago, it later relocated to Uherské Hradiště, in Czechia.
History
Speckmann formed the group as Death Strike in 1983, following the demise of his earlier band, Warcry. In 1985, Speckmann renamed the band Master and signed with Combat Records. An album was recorded but shelved due to issues with the label. The recording sessions for the album were released in 2003 by Displeased Records as Unreleased 1985 Album. In 1990, the band signed with Nuclear Blast, which had Speckmann's other group, Abomination, under contract. Master released their debut album, Master, in 1990. It was recorded with guitarist Chris Mittelbrun and drummer Bill Schmidt. Nuclear Blast was not pleased with the album, and it was re-recorded with drummer Aaron Nickeas and guitarist Jim Martinelli and released as Speckmann Project in 1991.
Master published On the Seventh Day God Created... Master in 1992, featuring lead guitarist Paul Masvidal. Collection of Souls was released in 1993, but Master did not resign with Nuclear Blast. The band went on hiatus, searching for a new label. They released Faith Is in Season in 1998, through Pavement Music. Speckmann focused on other projects, including the reformed Abomination. In 1999, he joined Czech death metal band Krabathor and relocated to Czechia.
Master released Let's Start a War in 2002 on System Shock and followed up with Spirit of the West in 2004. They signed with German label Twilight Vertrieb and issued Four More Years of Terror in 2005. Seven albums have been released since: Slaves to Society (2007), The Human Machine (2010), The New Elite (2012), The Witch Hunt (2013), An Epiphany of Hate (2016), Vindictive Miscreant (2018), and Saints Dispelled (2024).
The band performed at the Milwaukee Metal Fest in June 2026.
Band members Current Paul Speckmann – bass, vocals Aleš "Alex 93" Nejezchleba – guitars Peter Bajči – drums
Past Chris Mittelbrun – guitars Bill Schmidt – drums Aaron Nickeas – drums Jim Martinelli – guitars Zdeněk "Zdenál" Pradlovský – drums
Discography
Studio albums Master (1990) On the Seventh Day God Created... Master (1992) Collection of Souls (1993) Faith Is in Season (1998) Let's Start a War (2002) The Spirit of the West (2004) Four More Years of Terror (2005) Slaves to Society (2007) The Human Machine (2010) The New Elite (2012) The Witch Hunt (2013) An Epiphany of Hate (2016) Vindictive Miscreant (2018) Saints Dispelled (2024)
Live albums Live in Mexico City (2000) Mangled Dehumanization (2012) Live Assault (DVD – 2013) Live (2018) God of Thunder (2019) Alive in Athens (2020)
EPs Follow Your Savior (2001) Widower (2019) 40 Years and Killing (2025)
Compilations Masterpieces (2005) Command Your Fate (The Demo Collection) (2017) Best of (2018)
Splits Master / Abomination with Abomination (1990) Master / Excision with Excision (1996) Imperial Anthems with Pentagram Chile (2013) Decay into Inferior Conditions with Dehuman (2013)
Demos 85 Demo (1985) Demo '91 (1991) Final Word (1995) Everything Is Rotten (2005)
References
External links Master/Paul Speckmann official website Paul Speckmann alternate website