Maggo Wenzel - Vokills
Vocalist of Mastic Scum since fall 2008. Handles vocals, lyrics, and songwriting. Previously active in Crowdown (Hardcore), Inzest (Deathcore), and Tristwood (Industrial Black Metal).
Equipment: Shure microphones & wireless systems.
Endorsed by: Steinberg Media.
Inspired by: Pantera, Hatebreed, Napalm Death, Fear Factory, Dying Fetus, Despised Icon, Nasum ...
Harry Gandler - 7 String Distortion
Founding member of Mastic Scum (since 1992). Handles guitars, songwriting, lyrics, and production. The driving force behind the band’s crushing tone and sonic evolution.
Equipment: ESP & LTD 7-Strings, EMG Pickups, Line 6 Helix, D`Addario Strings.
Endorsed by: ESP Guitars, EMG Pickups, Steinberg Media, AMT Electronics, InTune Guitar Picks.
Inspired by: Fear Factory, Napalm Death, Machine Head, old Metallica, Brutal Truth, Terrorizer, Ministry ...
Dominique Heine - 6 String Depth
Joined Mastic Scum in spring 2023. Brings low-end precision and technical depth to the band’s sonic assault. Also active in Catastrofear, Athiria, and Locracy.
Equipment: Ibanez 6 String Bass, Newtone Strings, Darkglass Amp.
Endorsed by: InTune Guitar Picks.
Inspired by: Cattle Decapitation, Psycroptic, Archspire, Fallujah, Rivers of Nihil, Beyond Creation ...
Stephan Huber - Drum Machinery
Joined the band in spring 2025. Brings surgical precision and relentless power to the band’s rhythm section. Also active as drummer for Casting Couch (Grindcore).
Equipment: Tama Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Footblaster & DDrum Triggers, Evolution In Ears.
Endorsed by:
Inspired by: Aborted, Cattle Decapitation, Beyond Creation ...
SHORT INFO:
MASTIC SCUM is one of the most famous and emerging acts in Austria’s metal scene. Since the mid-1990s, the band has raging in the international metal scene, crafting brutal and technically precise death metal anthems that couldn’t sound more crushing.
Driven by savage riffs, dissonant melodies, machine-like drums, and a diverse vocal onslaught - ranging from guttural lows to harsh shouts and piercing screams - MASTIC SCUM delivers an unmistakable sonic assault.
The band has released six studio albums, one DVD, and numerous split releases on vinyl and tape. Their sixth album, ICON, was released via MDD Records in fall 2022 to critical acclaim. Known for their furious live shows, MASTIC SCUM has taken their devastating sound across Europe and the United States.
Currently, the band is working on their seventh album, set for release in 2026. Scum ahead!
BIOGRAPHY:
CHAPTER I (Early Years & Formation):
MASTIC SCUM was founded in 1992 by Harry Gandler, Man Gandler, and Linga Moser, inspired by the death metal/hardcore scene of the early '90s.The idea was to create an own sound, influenced by different styles. Music based on massive, grooving rhythm with blast attacks and catchy midtempo parts. In the spring of 1993, Will Schett joined the band as the new vocalist. We were (and are) a four-piece band - drums, bass, guitar and vocals - creating music in an authentic way.
In 1993, we signed a deal with the German label Rodel Records, which released our first 12” EP "Ephemeral Cerebral Butchery" (4 studio tracks). This marked a beginning of a long, successful period of upcoming releases on various labels. We worked on new material to record a demo to secure a deal for a CD release, putting more emphasis on grindcore with a raw and technical approach. The new bass player Steff Moser joined the band and so we were ready to record 7 new songs for our "DEMO 10/94", which was released as a limited edition of 700 tapes in the fall of 1994.
Later on, the German label Rodel Records released the 7" EP "TILT" (7 studio tracks) in 1995, and the tape "LIVE" (live recordings) was released by Obliteration Rec. from Japan. These two releases were distributed worldwide, helping us build our name in the scene. In the spring of 1996, we signed a deal with the Austrian label Ohne Maulkorb Prod. for a split CD with the band FLESHLESS from the Czech Republic. The album "FAKE" (12 studio tracks) was released in the summer of '96, receiving great reactions from all over the world.
Furthermore, several split releases were released by different labels in 1996 and 1997: Epidemie Prod. from the Czech Republic released the 7" EP "RIOT" (with MALIGNANT TUMOR" from Czech Rep.), the Tape "PURE" (with "MIXOMATOSIS" from Spain) was released by Capeet Tapes from Austria, the 7" EP "FEAR" (with BLOCKHEADS from France) was released by the German label Stuhlgang Rec., and the Tape "HURT" (with "SENSELESS" from Croatia) was released by Fecal Forces/Sad Tapes from Slovenia.
The band also played many live shows across Europe. In the summer of 1997, Linga Moser replaced Will Schett for several shows, and in the spring of 1998, Bobby Spiess took over as the vocalist for two live shows.
In 1998, the split EP RAPE (with C.S.S.O. from Japan) was released by Ohne Maulkorb Prod. from Austria. Both bands contributed 4 cover songs to this EP.
CHAPTER II (Growth & Releases):
In summer `99 the debut CD "ZERO" was released by the German label Noise Variations. 17 songs of fresh, grooving grindcore/crossover with originality and extremity. Our heaviest record to this date. In the spring of 2000, we toured Germany on the 'Fuck The Commerce' tour.
The Split-Tape "REEK" (with HAEMORRHAGE from Spain) was released by Shindy Productions from the Czech Republic in July 2001. The tape contains 5 studio-tracks (from the CD "ZERO"), 4 cover-songs (from the EP "RAPE") and 5 live-tracks recorded 1999 in Austria and Switzerland.
In spring of 2002, the band played “Tortour 2002” through Germany and The Netherlands. We also signed with the German label Cudgel Agency for our 2nd album. A Split 7" EP was also planned for release on this label. In september 2002, the Split-EP "CRAP" (with ROTTEN SOUND from Finland) was released by Cudgel Agency. MASTIC SCUM contributed 4 new studio tracks, while ROTTEN SOUND contributed 4 live tracks. The 2nd album "SCAR" was released by Cudgel Agency in early December 2002. This full-length CD features 12 new tracks and represents the progression of our debut album "ZERO".
In the fall of 2003, the band played the “European Tour 2003” with MASTER and LIVIDITY from the USA. In the spring of 2004, we did the "Scars Over Europe" tour in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and France. Finally, we played two shows in the USA during the summer of 2004.
Later on, the band started writing new songs for the upcoming 3rd album. We placed more emphasis on death metal, as well as technical arrangements, and worked on some pretty cool new material. We finished songwriting in December 2004 and entered the studio in February 2005.
The 3rd album, “MIND” was released on Sept. 5th 2005 by Cudgel Agency. This album features 13 new tracks plus a video clip. This release is our strongest output to date - fucking heavy tunes and kickass blast attacks. "MIND" is also available as vinyl (Apathic View Prod.) and tape version (Disembowel Rec.). In 2006, we played a lot of shows across Europe on the “Grind Your Mind 2006” tour to promote the album.
In 2007, the band celebrated its 15th anniversary and released "The EP’s Collection 1993-2002" in the spring. This release had been planned for years, so we were happy to see it finally happen. The EP’s Collection 1993-2002 was released by Power It Up / Twilight Distribution on June 4th, 2007. That year, the band also played many festival shows to celebrate the 15th anniversary.
CHAPTER III (Lineup Changes & Further Developments):
In 2008 the band started working on the pre-production for the upcoming 4th album. During the songwriting process, the band parted ways with their shouter, Will Schett, due to several reasons that had been building up over time. Markus „Maggo“ Wenzel joined the band as the new shouter. Maggo and Harry already knew each other from the scene and shared the same vision for the band, making it a great collaboration.
The 4th album "DUST" was released on Nov. 13th 2009 by Twilight Records. This release contains 12 tracks of crushing death metal straight in your face! MASTIC SCUM also joined "Funeral Nation Tour" with VADER and MARDUK in January 2010. In the spring, Alex Schmid joined the band as the new bassist.
In summer 2010 the new music video "Construcdead" was released, and in the fall of 2010, MASTIC SCUM was nominated for the "Austrian Music Award 2010"! Later, the band began working on new material for the forthcoming album.
In the spring of 2012, the band signed with the German label Massacre Records. This was another big step forward for the band, which had already finished the songwriting for the new release and was working on the pre-production of the upcoming album.
The new 5th studio-album “CTRL” was released Dec. 6th 2013 via Massacre Records. This masterpiece contains 11 new tracks including a re-recorded track of the DEMO 10/94. The record was mixed by Mike Kronstorfer at Metalforge Studio, mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio and the artwork was designed by IsisDesignStudio. The concept of the album depicts a futuristic vision of the technological evolution and development of society - the need to control and the inevitable collapse of a system!
Later on, the band started working on their first DVD release, which include the complete band history of the last 20 years. In May 13th 2016 "RAGE" [Live & Rare] was released via Grindwork Production. The DVD contains more than 175 minutes of the band’s history, including a full live-show from Vienna - Szene, band interviews, 9 official music videos, extra live footage, the full discography, a photo gallery and lots of bonus video footage
In the spring of 2017, Wolfgang Rothbauer joined the band, replacing Alexander Schmid as the bassist. With this new lineup, the band began working on 3 new tracks. On Oct. 27th 2017, the EP DEFY (a split with HEAD CLEANER) was released via Screaming Victims Rec.
On Jan. 18th 2019 the music cassette "TAPE" was released by Extreme Terror Production. The tape contains 41 tracks (6 EPs + Demo + 2 Bonus Coversongs), along with all lyrics.
CHAPTER IV (Live Return & New Album):
In 2019, the band began working on their sixth studio album, placing more emphasis on death metal and hardcore with a technical approach to songwriting. They were working on 10 new tracks and later entered the pre-production phase. Additionally, the band signed a record deal with the German label MDD Records
In the summer of 2022, the band started playing live again after a 5-year break. The first show at Rockstadt Extreme Fest in Romania was very successful and marked the band's first live performance after many years.
The 6th album "ICON" was released by MDD Records from Germany on Oct. 7th 2022. The album contains 10 tracks and is a riff-driven assault straight in the face. The record was mixed by Mike Kronstorfer and Harry Gandler at Metalforge Studio, mastered by Mike Kronstorfer. The artwork was designed by GSDsign and Harry Gandler. The concept behind "ICON" is about humans and their beliefs, the constant struggle between good and evil, faith and distrust, humanity and industry, and analog and digital.
In 2023 the band played many club and festival shows to promote the new album. In the spring, Dominique Heine joined the band as the new bassist and quickly proved to be the perfect fit. The band performed at several great festivals, including Obscene Extreme Festival, Chronical Moshers Open Air, Nice To Eat You Deathfest, and Berlin Deathfest.
Four new music videos from the album "ICON" were also released to promote the new album.
CHAPTER V (Current & Future Plans):
In 2024, the band played several festivals without Man Gandler on drums, with Stephan Huber and Eugene Ryabchenko stepping in for him. This was a rather lengthy process to replace Man Gandler on drums.
In early 2025, the band parted ways with long-time drummer Man Gandler. Times change, circumstances change - that’s life. Unfortunately, Man left the band, but we are incredibly grateful for his contributions and the memories we’ve created together over the years. Changes are never easy, but they can also be transformative.
In March 2025, Stephan Huber joined the band as a permanent member. In spring, the band began working on their seventh album, which is set for release in 2026. The new album will be a sonic journey into destruction, annihilation, and existential collapse - driven by brutal riffs, dissonant melodies, crushing machine-like rhythms, and a diverse vocal onslaught ranging from guttural lows to harsh shouts and piercing screams.
Scum ahead!