Master's Hammer
Czech black metal pioneers known for symphonic and avant-garde shifts.
Master's Hammer is a Czech black metal band that started in Prague in 1987. The group went through many lineup changes, stayed active until 1995, then reformed from 2008 to 2020, and got back together again in 2025. They have put out eight studio albums, five demos, one EP, two split albums, two live albums, and several compilations.
The band released five demos before their first album, *Ritual.*, came out in 1991. Polish extreme metal band Behemoth covered their song "Jáma pekel" on a 2008 EP. A year later, Master's Hammer put out their second album, *Jilemnický okultista* (1993). Their third album, *Šlágry* (1995), marked a big change, moving away from their earlier sound to include many styles outside metal. The band talked about making *Šlágry II* and a CD-ROM with opera singers and orchestra musicians, but neither happened, and they broke up that same year. Ukrainian black metal band Drudkh covered "Indiánská píseň hrůzy" on a 2010 EP and later included it on a 2014 compilation.
In 2008, Master's Hammer got back together and released *Mantras*, their first record in 14 years. Their fifth album, *Vracejte konve na místo.* (2012), won Best Hard and Heavy Album at the Anděl Awards in 2013 and Best Album at the Břitva Awards. In July 2013, they started their own label, Jihosound Records, and put out their sixth album, *Vagus Vetus*, in 2014. Their seventh album, *Formulæ* (2016), was nominated for Best Hard and Heavy Album at the Anděl Awards but did not win. In December 2016, the band announced they would play at the Brutal Assault festival in August 2017—their first live show in 25 years. Their eighth album, *Fascinator*, came out in February 2018.
Former bassist Tomáš "Monster" Vendl died on 26 July 2024 at age 52. Later that year, founding member František Štorm said in an interview that the band had officially disbanded in 2020. In October 2025, they announced a reunion and a ninth album, *Maldorör Disco*, set for release on 26 November.
Musically, Master's Hammer blend symphonic elements into their sound. *Kerrang!* described their style as "fusing thrash with classical themes," and called *Jilemnický okultista* "an operetta in three acts." Early influences included Venom, Mercyful Fate, and Hellhammer.
Quick Facts
- Background
- group_or_band
- Landscape
- yes
- Origin
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Genre
- Black metal, experimental metal
- Years Active
- 1983–1995 · 2009–2020 · 2025–present
- Label
- Kron-H · Osmose · Jihosound Records
- Current Members
- František Štorm / Tomáš Kohout / Jan Kapák / Kamil Princ
- Past Members
- Honza Přibyl / Petr Mecák / Petr Hošek / Karel Zástěra / František Fečo / Milan Fibiger / Oldřich Liška / Tomáš Vendl / Míla Křovina / Mirek Valenta / Vlastimil Voral
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Master's Hammer was founded in 1987 and produced five demos before releasing their debut album, Ritual., in 1991. The Polish extreme metal band Behemoth covered the song 'Jáma pekel' on their 2008 EP, Ezkaton. A year later, Master's Hammer issued their sophomore record, Jilemnický okultista (1993). Their third album, Šlágry, which came out in 1995, was a shift away from their previous work and incorporated a variety of styles outside the metal genre, including modernist electronic music and classical avant-garde elements. The band broke up that same year.
In 2008, Master's Hammer reformed and released Mantras, their first record in 14 years. In late 2012, a fifth album, called Vracejte konve na místo., was released, winning Best Hard and Heavy Album at the Anděl Awards in 2013. Their seventh album, Formulæ (2016), was nominated for Best Hard and Heavy Album at the Anděl Awards but did not win.
Reader's Guide
Master's Hammer holds a significant place in black metal history as one of the earliest extreme metal bands from Czechoslovakia, later the Czech Republic. Their debut album, Ritual., was notably joked by Darkthrone drummer Fenriz as 'actually the first Norwegian black metal album, even though they are from Czechoslovakia,' highlighting its influence on the Norwegian black metal scene. The band's willingness to experiment—particularly with 1995's Šlágry, which abandoned operatic black metal for modernist electronic music and classical avant-garde—set them apart from contemporaries. Their later work, such as Vracejte konve na místo. and Formulæ, earned critical acclaim and awards in the Czech Republic. The band's legacy includes covers by Behemoth and Drudkh, and their 2013 founding of Jihosound Records. Despite a 14-year hiatus and a 2020 disbandment, their 2025 reunion underscores their enduring relevance in extreme metal.
Did You Know?
- Behemoth covered Master's Hammer's song 'Jáma pekel' on their 2008 EP, Ezkaton.
- Fenriz of Darkthrone joked that Master's Hammer's debut album Ritual. 'is actually the first Norwegian black metal album, even though they are from Czechoslovakia.'
- Master's Hammer's 1995 album Šlágry incorporated modernist electronic music and shared publishing credits with Carl Czerny, Otto Katz, and Giuseppe Verdi.
- The band formed their own record label, Jihosound Records, in July 2013.
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