SOURCE – With your twelfth and one of your best albums [An Epiphany of Hate] in my opinion, what keeps you guys at that edge after all these years? As cliché as it is, it’s hard not to be comparative against the notion that these things have an expiration date.
Paul Speckman (Vocals, bass) – Hey brother the reality is if you just take a look at the world around you, you can find plenty of inspiration to write killer aggressive records until the end of time. There is no special trick to it, if you believe in yourself you can continue on until the end. Look at the legacy Lemmy left behind, he fought on and played shows until he dropped dead! Things will expire for Master when I do period!
SOURCE – The album An Epiphany of Hate is generating a lot of buzz. After hearing that and a lot of early positive reviews, how does that affect your expectation for the album?
Paul Speckman (Vocals, bass) – I always have low expectations for any Master record, in all reality just because the reviews are good, doesn’t mean the buying public will support it. Master is not a household name like Slayer and Megadeth, if we were, our chances might be better. People will always purchase a physical copy of the bigger bands, but many people will just download An Epiphany of Hate for free unfortunately. Support is a two way street and it’s hard to get on the right street corner these days!
SOURCE – You’re involved in many aspects of the music business. What’s your opinion on things like the decrease in sales and illegal downloading? Things like these must leave a negative effect on the budget to record, artwork and promotion?
Paul Speckman (Vocals, bass) – Illegal downloading sucks for the most part but on the other hand it gives many more people an opportunity to hear your music and this also works for many of the younger and newer bands that may not have ever had a chance back in the day. So like anything you have to look at both sides of the coin brother!
SOURCE – How would you characterize the band’s sound now compared to back in the ’80s?
Paul Speckman (Vocals, bass) – It’s impossible to compare things back in the eighties to now as we live in a different world now and technology has improved in many ways so things are different. Certainly musicians worked harder to play in the studio when I began. Today computers can just about fix anything, and this can be seen when you go out and see the bands live. Many of today’s heavyweights need to trigger the drums as they hit like girls. It’s funny watching a band do an hour sound check just to get the computer to sound right. I don’t have time for this nonsense. I would rather play a longer set. We live in a different generation today where guys are more worried about their makeup and the sound of the computer than the actual music itself…
SOURCE – In recent years, the way of consuming music is gone more from purchasing to streaming. Do you have any thoughts on that?
Paul Speckman (Vocals, bass) – I still sell CDs nearly every week here at home on the Internet, so the support for Master still exists!
SOURCE – Nowadays it’s common for long time bands change their sound after some time. What do you see in Death Metal that, even after so many years, you haven’t got bored with it?
Paul Speckman (Vocals, bass) – Master still gives an energetic powerful aggressive performance even on an off night! I live from the power we create on the stage, this is fuel for my fire!
SOURCE – Which is more important in music – being intentionally novel and innovative or being consistent?
Paul Speckman (Vocals, bass) – I see no new innovation in Metal, only clones of the bands of the past! What planet are you talking about?
SOURCE – How do you find the balance between your tour and home life? Is it easy for you to just go home and switch off?
Paul Speckman (Vocals, bass) – You’d have to ask my wife that question brother. When I am at home I continue to promote and sell merchandise from my home office as well as search for more concerts, tours and festivals to play across the globe, so I never really switch off!
SOURCE – What are your upcoming South America tour plans?
Paul Speckman (Vocals, bass) – We will return in Dec-Jan for a month of shows again there.
SOURCE – Well my friend, it’s been amazing talking with you. Thank you so much for taking time to have this conversation. Is there any thoughts you’d like to leave our readers or fans with?
Paul Speckman (Vocals, bass) – Sure, looking for more information about Master go to the site, master-speckmetal.net
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