Book Review: Paul Speckmann: Underground Survivor

BOOK BATTERY

By: Geoff Teach

In the realm of death metal, Master’s Paul Speckmann is a living legend. The subgenre itself got its name in the mid 1980’s, in part, from the “Fuckin’ Death” album by Death Strike (which Speckmann played a vital role in forming). Furthermore, his crucial roles in other storied acts such as War Cry, Funeral Bitch, Abomination, Krabathor, and the aforementioned Master have cemented his place in the pantheon of living metal gods.

To commemorate Speckmann’s rise to metal prominence, German publishers Verlag Weisses Licht recently released Speckmann: Underground Survivor – A Pictorial (2014, Enrico Haagen and Paul Speckmann), a nearly two hundred page collection of photos and anecdotes that detail the career of one of death metal’s longest tenured founders.

Printed side by side in both English and German, Underground Survivor is light on words, but heavy on the visuals (as “A Pictorial” would certainly suggest), but while the translation from German to English probably could’ve used a good once-over by an American type editor, it is still easy to look past the minor grammatical errors and to observe this publication for what it truly is: A display book meant to grace the coffee tables of only the most discerning death metal fans of the world.

Paul Speckmann (Middle) and his bandmates Zdenek Pradlovsky (Left) and Alex Nejezchleba (Right) of Master

Handsomely hardbound and bursting with art and photos that document everything from Speckmann’s childhood to his plethora of bands and friends, Underground Survivor is a great read for any student of metal history, as there are numerous recollective stories from Speckmann’s years of being a member of all his influential and substantial acts.

Speckmann: Underground Survivor - A Pictorial is a quality hardbound edition filled with art and images

Able to be enjoyably read in one sitting (or thumbed through at your leisure just to enjoy the pretty pictures), Underground Survivor would make a fine addition to the collection of any dedicated bibliophile of the metal persuasion. If you would like to purchase a copy for your own bookshelf or coffee table, please see the links below.

KEEP IT METAL! \m/