Master has returned with their 16th album, Among the Seeds of Death. That’s a lot of albums, and I reviewed their last album from 2024, Saints Dispelled. That was definitely a fun and classic-sounding Master album, but on Among the Seeds of Death, mastermind Paul Speckmann has upped the ante even more. Alex Nejezchleba returns on guitars along with Peter Bajci on drums.
“Twas Always a Plan” opens the album with squealing guitars before the classic Master sound comes bludgeoning forward with Paul’s signature raspy, throaty vocals. He still sounds great after all these decades. He does a nice job with his enunciation so you can make out the lyrics. The monstrous speedy double bass, which has been a band trademark, is ever present here. The song has some nods to the first two classic Whiplash albums and that is most welcomed by these ears. This opener is only here to thrash the listener from side to side, with a plentiful helping of death metal. Great and catchy son. And Paul yelling “Fuck off you assholes, and Fuck You” at the start of the song is just plain fun!
The title track has a nice death/thrash opening gallop, which slows down with a weird guitar part around the 1.25 section, that I really dig. There are some cool guitar harmonies and then some speedier drums taking over. The song returns to a slower mid-paced moment, Ite a rather cool mid 80’s gallop enters into the picture, having a bit of a NWOBHM bite to it. Very classic and supremely catchy. A scorcher of a title track.
“Injustice and Lack of Remorse” has some nice isolated bass guitar, showing how he has honed his craft over the years. The death/thrash metal joins in and Paul’s vocals berating us as if we double dipped a chip at some party. The classic gallop is one of the reasons why I love the band still to this day. This gallop screams 1990 and never sounds dated, but it reaches all the way back to simpler times. So, these classic nostalgic moments Paul throws in are nods to the earlier renditions of Master and shows he has not forgotten his roots. And as an old codger, like myself, I respect these moments greatly.
“Within My Grasp” has a classic gallop to it that is worthy of you headbanging your head off that pathetic body of yours, you piece of filth! The song slows back down with Paul’s anguished vocals coming in and the gallop returning. You have to headbang and throw up your horns, in unison while you headbang, to get the true effect. Hell, if I can do it you can as well. “Let’s Revoke” ends the album with some strong Autopsy like moments rhythmically speaking, which takes me back to Severed Survival. So classic, especially with that heavy undercurrent bass sound. The slow down moments are incredibly heavy and that main riff is crucial AF! This is how you end an album folks, strong!
Among the Seeds of Death bests the last Master album and I find this album to be a bit catchier and overall better production. Super fun and Paul has the band firing on all cylinders as usual. With shows lined up and an upcoming overseas tour with Napalm Death, it’s always great to see classic bands touring together. Paul, ya bastid, you did it again. Excellent album!!
