Description

2006 re-issue with 14 tracks and one mpeg. This third press comes with a 4-page booklet

Master (a.k.a. Mactep) was formed in April, 1987 by Andrei Bolshakov (guitars), Alexander Granovsky (bass), Igor Molchanov (drums), and Kiril Pokrovsky (keyboards) from the band Aria. They left because they wanted to play heavier and faster than Aria’s heavy-metal sound. Vocalist Alexander Arzamaskov from the band Fortress was found, bringing with him second guitarist Sergei Popov. Molchanov came up with the band name. After the first demo the band changed singer two times before they found Mikhail Seryshev.In 2004 they release their seventh album and the second with Lexx on vocals. Lexx best moments come not when he is rocking out, but on ballads, such as The Crosses on the previous album, and 33 Lives on this one. Guitarist Strike, on the other hand, has his own unique style and sound, while also taking charge of the music and, in some instances, the lyrics. The music is an improvement over Labyrinth, mostly because it is more coherent. Versatility is not the problem: in places the music is thrashy, in places folky, sometimes fast, sometimes mid-tempo; it is well-delivered and not entirely without creativity, but, I guess, just not very spirited. Master’s leader, Alik Granovsky, has been a proven metal warrior for a long time, but the band has not really had a masterpiece since Andrey Bolshakov left the band after the second album back in 1989. Overall, 33 Lives is a marked improvement upon its predecessor, and while it is not quite the thrash metal Master has been known for in days past, it is a mature album from veterans of the genre, both mindful of their roots and not afraid to embrace the values of modern production and occasional (but only so) modern influence. While still not quite up there with their first two albums, this is easily their best album in last ten years.

Track listing:
1. Igra
2. Master Skorbnyh Del
3. Vera Gorit na Kostrah
4. 33 Zhizni
5. Ekspress
6. Glotok Ognya
7. Voyna Mirov-bass solo
8. Heavy Lambada
9. Snezhnyy Ohotnik
10. Drum-Parad
11. Stihiya
12. S Uvazheniem
13. XXL
14. Intro
15. Budeo-mpeg