Well, this was an immersion here because I didn't take notice of this band until recently! I got this album as well as 'Vindictive Miscreant' (2018). I didn't like their previous nearly as much as this latest! The vocals are all right on here, just if Paul Speckmann got higher pitched, it would be annoying! They're a 3-piece, of which they originally began being based in Chicago and now in Uherské Hradiště, Zlín region (Czech Republic). They've been pretty active at their current location emitting death/thrashing music on/off since their first origin (1983) more on than off since 1989, however. They've gone through many members since their first few recordings, but they've done a great deed and conducted this album as it was mixed/recorded at Studio Shaark.

I really like the riffs here, especially the structures of the songs and their originality. And I think that they basically should be referred to here as being in "a creative storm" with this. It was the music that captivated me the most. It seems as though the reason why this album did well was because their musicianship towered over the rest of their LP's (based only on the select few I've heard). Just the guitars are why I really took ahold here and decided to write about this LP. The rhythms are good (not boring) and the leads aren't sloppy, but not the most ingenious. I think that overall the guitars are definitely better on here (said once again) opposed to previous recordings. It seems that they're mature and creative even more so now. Since I haven't the experience in the decades of Master's releases (full-length albums and compilation/best of disc), it seems as though they've managed to have quite an impact on extreme metal as it is! I know Mick Harris mentioned Master on Napalm Death's 'Live Corruption' video (1990). Perhaps Master are different from other extreme metal bands in the fact that they have a unique style and the vocals aren't full-throttle death metal, they're more raspy than anything else! Maybe a bit like the Michigan based band Plague Years (as an example).

There's much else to say about 'Saints Dispelled', mainly the better recording quality than the rest! I think that that's what's also needed to be said here is if you listen to their older LP's, you'll find a flaw in not the compositions, but the overall sound of each instrument! The guitars, bass and drums are well mixed on here plus the riffs don't overpower the rest of the songs! Check out 'Saints Dispelled' if you want to hear a great release of fresh, invigorating metal in 2024!

Rating: 9½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Death8699
09/12/2024 15:38