MASTER (USA) - Master (Self-Titled) (sealed LP copy) (2017 Hammerheart Re-issue on 180gram Black vinyl). 
Do you want to hear one of the first death metal albums? “Scream Bloody Gore“ by Death and “Seven Churches“ by Possessed aren't  the only ones. Back in 1985 Master’s creator Paul Speckmann had already compiled the classic songs for this debut album. Eager to get them on record, the band’s management was convinced what Combat Records was offering wasn’t enough, and so nothing happened. 
Unfortunately not until 1990 did most get the pleasure of hearing the tracks, when they were (re-)recorded for Nuclear Blast! Master really never has been recognized as the world class innovators they truly are, but many bands have mentioned them as a huge influence. The funny thing is that most music in the Death Metal genre resembles Master’s classic work. 
We as fans, as well as the other bands owe a lot of respect to Paul and Master and what he helped to create. It is hard to put it’s greatness into words, this album just has an unexplainable unique atmosphere, not present on most Death Metal albums released since. 
Paul Speckmann treats the listener with very distinct and harsh vocals. More harsh even than his vocals are his lyrics, very well written, from a sarcastic/cynical point of view. As for the riffs, the guitar tone is heavy as hell and way ahead of it’s time. Basically there are no real flaws. Best songs on here have to be, well all of them. 
And sure as hell no Death Metal collection is complete without these legendary songs! So we hope we are doing this legendary album justice, because as soon as we listened to it upon its release, it became a personal favourite. We know any fan of Death/Thrash, Old School Death, or just Death Metal will love this. For Old School Bangers that really like: Kreator, Death, Terrorizer, Celtic Frost and Entombed.  --  Hammerheart Records – HHR2017-01