There are not too many artists out there that can put together a resume in the heavy metal scene much like SPECKMANN PROJECT founder Paul Speckmann. While making music in bands like MASTER, DEATH STRIKE, BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA, and JOHANSSON & SPECKMANN, he was able to start the SPECKMANN PROJECT in 1990. After having some issues trying to get the album released and re-recording it two times, it was finally released in 1991 under Nuclear Blast Records. With the songwriting of masterful Swedish artist Rogga Johansson, they have teamed up to release the sophomore album Fiends of Emptiness via Emanzipation Productions. In hopes of receiving the credit for the work they feel they deserve by recording the tracks under the name SPECKMANN PROJECT.

There is a form of aggression in a coarse growl that can paint a picture of what is being bellowed to you in a song and that is something that you can find in Paul's vocals. An example you can take of this is in the two tracks "Absolute Power" and "A Sick Carnival". The music forms itself into a forceful, almost punk like show of power. The drums set a fast paced tempo as the guitar trails a little behind allowing the notes to ring out and the vocals settle in amongst the music. The track "Indifferent" is a political assault on how it should not cause us to change our way of life or how we want to live it. The guitars explode with a wall of sound on this track matching the all around intensity of the vocals. The solo steps in while the rhythm guitar and drums combine for a classic Death metal segment to the song.

"A Diabolical Sense of Proportions" is a track that captures the album in its raw form. Straight out the gate it begins and ends without any gimmicks or extensions in the music that may water down the track. Anyone that is a fan of NAPALM DEATH for example, can understand and appreciate what they have accomplished with the track. "The Corporate Twisted Control" begins with the guitars playing a chunky, meaty Death metal riff as the lead guitar screeches over top of it. The tempo is enhanced with the drums and Paul's stretched out fading growl is the perfect fit for this track. The United States governmental policies that develop the new un-working class are cast to the forefront with the track "Canceled" and with Chicago being home to the vocalist, he delivers a personally power driven performance. Rogga's rapid strumming alongside Jon's pounding pace, hammers home the message the lyrics have formed. For the whole album in general, that is the effect that you conclude while hearing the lyrics and listening to the music is that they were made to match and enhance each other's performance.

When you have a powerhouse cast of musicians putting together an album like this, it is hard to find things to not enjoy. The bass could be a little more amplified to give a more driving and sludgy sound, but it is really not all that missed. The music resembles a Death metal meets MISFITS collaboration, especially with the tempo that the drums carry throughout the album. With more records to be coming, this album should get some excitement brewing for fans of these musicians, and the SPECKMANN PROJECT band.