Band:	Master
Album:	The Human Machine
Style:	Death metal
Release date:	April 26, 2010
Guest review by:	vezzy

01. The Human Machine
02. It's What Your Country Can Do For You
03. Twisted Truth
04. True Color
05. Suppress Free Thinking
06. A Replica Of Invention
07. Faceless Victims Expelled
08. Worship The Sun
09. The Lack Of Space
10. Impale To Kill

Master are a very important name in extreme metal (in particular, death metal), yet so unnoticed. Forming in 1983, back when thrash metal was still only developing and death metal was practically non-existent, they were a big name in the underground yet never got a chance to sign a record deal. Well, it happened eventually with Nuclear Blast and they have been releasing full-length albums since. In 2010, they released their tenth studio album The Human Machine.

Although a death metal band, Master have always had thrash elements in their music and politically charged lyrics. This is no exception. The whole album is based on a concept of a totalitarian society, in the vein of writers such as George Orwell. As for the music, I have to say, it has sort of lost the raw and powerful edge of Master's earlier works (such as On The Seventh Day). This time around the sound is cleaner and smoother. The variation and liveliness has been opted out for a more simplistic style. The riffs are now basic, muffled thrash-style with the typical chugging. Speckmann's sick "gurgle-growl" fits well here and as always, is nicely done and he plays some slick bass licks. Another plus side is the melodic solos and fine drumming.

Highlight tracks are "The Human Machine", "It's What Your Country Can Do For You" (Speckmann's vocals are great here, plus some energy in the instrumental), "True Color" (nice thrash vibe), "A Replica of Invention" (old school) and "Impale to Kill" (not bad for a closing track, has that old school feeling again).

In the end, this is a more minimal approach from Master. If you are into thrash-death in the vein of Possessed, only less fierce, you might appreciate this. I recommend listening to it from another source before buying, as it is generally hit-and-miss and it seems to be more intended for a casual listen than anything else.