Formed in 1987 by the former members of heavy metal band Ария (Aria), Мастер (Master) struck with thrash metal. They were one of the first Russian thrashers and were at first backed by the USSR state label Мелодия (Melodia). By the third (or fourth, depending how counted) album 'Talk of the Devil', they had joined the ranks of Moroz Records, which is solely a metal music company.

The line-up of ex-Аria guys Andrey Bolshakov (bass and backing vocals) and Alik Granovsky (guitar and backing vocals), and vocalist Mikhail Seryshev who also did opera, was half of the earlier roster. While the previous album was just over 30 minutes long including two short instrumental songs, this would have been samey, if there wasn't a thrashed up version of Black Sabbath classic 'Paranoid' (which is surprisingly well thrashed up). Well, there's no chance of complaining about "too much, too much" like some well known thrash metal bands' discography whose platters were twice as lengthy.

Master's music here cannot be called as original or unique in any way, because each of the songs remind at least one or two established bands' music. Like so many times before, the mixture of German and US thrash metal bands of the period is what happens here. Destruction, Testament, Tankard, Forbidden, Sodom, Death Angel... to name a few. However, the entertainment level is absolutely skyrocketing after the overtly dramatic synthesizer/choir introduction (while fine, it simply does not fit with the rest of the album's music, because it carries gothic vibe more like). However, it's not rocket science.

The songs mostly consist of tight thrashing parts and mid-paced stomping, but there are moments with funkier grooves or where melodiousness flows. The riffs are often catchy, so it is memorable as the songs are kept rather simplistic, but it's no Hellhammer, you know. What it does contain are some acrobatic bass bits and guitar soloing; it is both straightforward and technical with lots of nifty little instrumentation. The lead guitar sections are often absolutely great, but quite rare, sadly; and there's a bass solo piece for all of bass guitar aficionados. Mostly this has thrash-screw really tightened up, but there's also more loose, groovier vibes floating on (e.g. 'Tsar'); they take turns, but do not cause incoherence. Generally, this isn't a heavy or very aggressive at all, but it does its job, and at times even semi-melodic. It's good to have varying feels, even on a short album like this.

The band sounds like an well-oiled machine, and there's no weakness in performances. As mentioned, there's some crazy bass-movements here and there, but the drumming could have been a tad more imaginative. The vocals are good: One of the rougher ones remind me of Destruction's Schmier, and more melodic voice is similar-ish to Paradox's Charly Steinhauer. There are some odd moments, especially something like 'Tsar', which I take as a joke song in a way. Well, a short album like this would have been better without jokes... The production job is dry-ish, but presents every element well.

'Talk of the Devil' is a fine piece of thrash metal history from Russia, and maybe the first thrash metal album from that country, since this was recorded at the end of 1991. If you want to turn off the main road of thrash, and go adventuring on back roads, this isn't a bad idea at all. It has its quirks, but at least it's not a carbon copy of Western models.

P.S. Be careful which reissue edition you pick up, because there was a lame 4-page CD-Maximum CD edition released together with a 16-page edition (with lyrics and old photos galore). What a dick move! Take a guess which I happen to own?! Yup, because I didn't know there are both a simplified and full editions. Score is for music this time around, not the whole.

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
04/10/2023 09:26