Master - S/T Self-titled 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Speckmann Schmidt Mittelbrun

The eponymous debut, "Master," from the American Death Metal stalwarts Master, echoes on a 12" vinyl LP. Released in 1991 under the Nuclear Blast record label and produced by Scott Burns, this album is a milestone in the band's discography. With the combined forces of Speckmann, Schmidt, and Mittelbrun, the album exemplifies Master's early death metal prowess. Each track etches a sonic legacy, cementing their influential presence in the genre's history. This web-page has hi-res photos of the album covers, record label and a detailed description.

 

High Resolution #1 Photo Master Self-titled Speckmann Schmidt Mittelbrun

Master - Self-Titled: A Brutal Dawn of Death Metal on Vinyl
Album Description:

Released in 1990 on 12" vinyl LP, the self-titled debut album from Master, featuring the trio of Paul Speckmann (vocals/bass), Chris Mittelbrun (guitar), and Bill Schmidt (drums), marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of death metal. This raw and uncompromising record established Master as a pioneering force within the genre.

Historical Context and Musical Exploration

Emerging from the underground metal scene of the late 1980s, Master's debut album was a product of its time. The death metal genre was rapidly gaining momentum, and Master's self-titled record embodied the raw aggression and uncompromising brutality that defined the movement. The album showcases the band's relentless musical exploration, pushing the boundaries of speed, heaviness, and lyrical extremity.

Music Genre

Master's self-titled album is a quintessential example of early American death metal. The music is characterized by its fast tempos, guttural vocals, and relentless drumming. The lyrics delve into dark and disturbing themes, exploring topics like death, violence, and social decay.

Production Team and Recording Studio

The album was produced by Scott Burns, a renowned producer known for his work with other death metal pioneers like Death and Morbid Angel. The recording sessions took place at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, a studio synonymous with the early death metal sound. The album's production, while raw and unpolished, effectively captured the band's raw energy and intensity.

Album Production Details:

Scott Burns - Producer, Sound Engineer

Scott Burns' sonic wizardry shaped the ferocious soundscapes of heavy and death metal, discover a legacy that continues to reverberate through the genre.

Recorded at Morrisound Recording

Morrisound Recording Studio is a renowned recording facility located in Tampa, Florida. It was founded in 1981 by brothers Jim and Tom Morris, who are also notable record producers and engineers. Morrisound gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s as one of the premier studios for heavy metal and rock music.

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The studio's reputation primarily stems from its association with the burgeoning death metal scene in Florida during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Many influential death metal bands, including Morbid Angel, Death, Obituary, and Cannibal Corpse, chose Morrisound as their recording destination. The studio's distinctive sound, characterized by its powerful and heavy production quality, became synonymous with the death metal genre.

Morrisound's success can be attributed to the expertise and technical prowess of the Morris brothers. Jim Morris, an accomplished guitarist, was responsible for producing and engineering most of the records that came out of the studio. His brother, Tom Morris, also played a significant role in shaping the studio's sound as an engineer and mixer.

The studio itself featured state-of-the-art equipment and a spacious recording area, allowing bands to achieve the desired sonic intensity in their recordings. Morrisound became known for its precise drum sound, tight guitar tones, and thunderous bass lines. The studio's engineering techniques, including the innovative use of triggers and layering, contributed to the distinct heaviness and clarity found in many of the albums recorded there.

Morrisound's influence on the death metal genre extended beyond its recording capabilities. The studio's association with the genre helped establish Tampa, Florida, as a mecca for death metal, attracting bands and musicians from around the world. Numerous iconic albums were recorded at Morrisound, solidifying its legacy and impact on the genre.

Over the years, Morrisound Recording Studio expanded its reach beyond death metal, hosting a wide range of artists from various genres. Its versatility and commitment to quality made it a popular choice for bands and musicians seeking professional recording services. However, the studio's association with death metal remained a significant part of its identity.

 

John Towner - Mastering, Mixing

Janet Reif - Photography

Music Genre:

Death Thrash Metal Music

Record Label & Catalognr:

Nuclear Blast Records NB 040

Album Packaging:

This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by Master

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Gramophone

Year & Country:

1990 Made in Germany
Band Members and Musicians on: Master Self-titled
    Masters's Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Paul Speckmann - Vocals, Bass
  • Bill Schmidt - Drums
  • Christ Mittelbrun - Guitars

Complete Track Listing of: Master Self-titled
    Side One:
  1. Pledge of Allegiance
  2. Unknown Soldier
  3. Mangled Dehumanization
  4. Pay to Die
  5. Funeral Bitch
    Side Two:
  1. Master
  2. Bass Solo / Children of the Grave
  3. Terrorizer
  4. The Truth
Album cover photos of : Master Self-titled

Photo of Front Cover 

High Resolution #1 Photo Master Self-titled Speckmann Schmidt Mittelbrun

High Resolution #2 Photo Master Self-titled Speckmann Schmidt Mittelbrun