Death metal legend Paul Speckmann has never been known for diplomacy. Whether fronting Master, helping shape the foundations of death metal, or speaking his mind on politics and the music industry, he’s built a reputation on blunt honesty and refusing to follow the crowd.
Before Master took the stage at Oakland Metro during their U.S. tour, I sat down with Speckmann to talk about life on the road, government red tape, the enduring legacy of Master, the thriving European metal scene, and why he’s spent more than a decade living in the Czech Republic. Along the way, he shared stories from the band’s formative years, reflected on missed opportunities in the 1980s, and offered some strong opinions on freedom, modern society, and the future of underground music.
As expected, Paul didn’t hold back.
Thirty-plus years after helping define the sound of death metal, Paul Speckmann remains exactly what fans expect: outspoken, uncompromising, and completely uninterested in playing by anyone else’s rules.
Whether discussing failed record deals, international touring headaches, political corruption, or the enduring power of underground metal, he approaches every subject with the same intensity that drives Master on stage.
Categories: Interviews
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