Album Review: Master – Vindictive Miscreant (Transcending Obscurity Records)

Death metal legends Master will unleash their much awaited new full length album Vindictive Miscreant on the 28th November via Transcending Obscurity Records. It’s the perfect encapsulation of their trademark gritty sound backed with experience and skills. Few bands were able to continue on the path they carved in, and over three and a half decades later, Master still do it with remarkable aplomb. They’ve set standards for bands, old and new, to follow.

“You’re nothing but a vindictive miscreant”

With that gargled line, Master crack open the crust to reveal the filthy death metal that sits within Vindictive Miscreant. An album that delivers all kinds of nasty metal sounds. Though rooted in the old school riffs, harsh vocals and crunching percussion.

This far into their career (they formed in 1983 under a different name) you’d have thought the fire might be dampened somewhat but Master seem as focused and driven as ever. The title track does everything right in regards to what death metal should sound like. Actions Speak Louder Than Words and Replaced then keep things ticking along nicely with deep cuts of brutal rhythm and finger-slicing solos.

Then we get some really filthy bass to introduce us to The Inner Strength of the Demon before the riffs take over and the tempo increases. A banging level of groove is present here and it makes the track stand tall.

It’s that ability to slightly deviate from the norm that makes Vindictive Miscreant such a solid listen. It’s hard to really blow anyone away with just a traditional take on death metal but Master certainly give it their all. One of the album highlights are the vocals which are at a nice level of nastiness but also have a snarling quality that adds a little more fuel to the fire. The Book is a great example of this while Engulfed in Paranoia is a great example of the other highlight…the riffs.

Oh, the riffs. Master pack in so many and they are head and shoulders above most that have tried and failed this year. No such problems here as The Impossible of Dreams and Stand Up and Be Counted wrap up an impressive return for the legendary band.

The fire still burns very brightly and we should be so grateful.

Master – Vindictive Miscreant Full Track Listing:

1. Vindictive Miscreant
2. Actions Speak Louder Than Words
3. Replaced
4. The Inner Strength of the Demon
5. The Book
6. Engulfed in Paranoia
7. The Impossible of Dreams
8. Stand Up and Be Counted

You can order the the album in a number of formats over on Bandcamp and keep up to date with Master related news by liking their Facebook Page.