Interview: Steve Richter Reflects on 12 Years of ‘Faster for The Master’

By Seth Metoyer, Heaven’s Metal Magazine,

For over a decade, Steve Richter has been an unsung hero of the Christian metal scene, tirelessly championing the genre through his radio show, Faster for The Master. Since its inception on May 1, 2012, the program has been a beacon for fans and artists alike, offering a platform for both classic and emerging Christian metal bands.

Steve has long been a supporter of underground Christian metal, and his support has been instrumental for many artists, including my own projects. He was one of the first DJs to feature my industrial metal project, Brain Matter, and my deathgrind band, Mangled Carpenter, on Faster for The Master, helping to introduce them to a wider audience. His dedication to shining a spotlight on both established and emerging acts has made an undeniable impact on the scene.

Broadcasting on No Control Radio, Steve’s dedication has not only kept the spirit of Christian metal alive but has also fostered a community where music and faith intersect with unyielding passion. I recently had the opportunity to chat with Steve for Heaven’s Metal, about his dedication to the Christian metal scene, his passion for heavy music, and the journey of hosting his weekly show for over a decade.

HM: You’ve been part of the Christian metal scene for over a decade now with Faster for The Master. How long have you personally been into heavy Christian music, and what were the bands or albums that drew you in?

FFTM: I’ve been doing the show for 12.5 years now on air. I actually turned in my “reel” to Chuck around this time in 2011, and he put me on the air on May 1, 2012. I’ve been on No Control Radio the entire time. I started listening to CCM like most people my age (50) when Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, and those artists got popular in the early ’80s. I listened to mostly Top 40, pop, and whatever my parents listened to.

I grew up going to a Methodist church where we were pretty laid-back about what we listened to in youth group. Around 1983, my neighbor and I would play Commodore 64 while he blasted KISS, Mötley Crüe, and Def Leppard. That’s when I caught the bug for heavier music. When To Hell With the Devil came out, and Stryper was all over MTV, I found it—heavier music with a Christian message!

Later, I discovered Petra’s This Means War, and it rocked my world. Around ’87, I got into bands like Anthrax and Iron Maiden (Powerslave blew my mind). By high school, I found Vengeance Rising, Tourniquet, Deliverance, The Crucified, and Sacred Warrior. These bands were heavy, talented, and Christian—they could compete with secular metal, and I wanted my friends to hear them.

HM: Running a weekly show featuring Christian metal is a unique mission. What sparked the idea to create Faster for The Master, and what was the vision for the show when you first started?

FFTM: I’ve always loved sharing music I’m passionate about. Back in the day, I made mix tapes for friends, hoping to share the positive message in heavy music. When I pitched the show to Chuck, my vision was for an old-school program featuring classics and new releases from the artists I loved. Chuck pushed me to incorporate newer bands, which helped me create a well-rounded, dynamic show. I try to group sounds together for continuity but keep the playlist unpredictable to keep listeners on their toes. Promoting bands, tours, and releases has always been central to the show.

HM: This scene can be intense and sometimes misunderstood. What do you personally get out of hosting Faster for The Master? Any moments or responses from listeners that have made the journey especially rewarding?

FFTM: What I love most is helping bands and labels get their music heard by a wider audience. I try to connect with them at shows or through messages to learn more about their music. While it’s a taped show, I encourage live responses during airings. Occasionally, people come up and say they love the show or recognize me—that’s always humbling.

Creating the show and putting it out there is rewarding in itself. Even though I work on it late at night and it can be hard to fit into my schedule, it’s worth it. I’m still thrilled to do it, even after all these years.

HM: A lot has changed in the last decade with both the music industry and Christian metal. What’s been the biggest challenge in keeping the show relevant and impactful for fans and bands alike?

FFTM: The biggest hurdle has been internet laws. I play a lot of international bands, and fans from all over the world often can’t hear the show. I try to share MP3s through Dropbox or other means, but it’s not ideal. Another challenge is that I make no money from the show; in fact, I spend money to buy music from bands to support them. Still, I believe the current music culture would embrace a show like this if there weren’t so many limitations.

HM: What’s next for Faster for The Master? Are there new plans, segments, or collaborations on the horizon, or any dreams you’d still like to accomplish through the show?

FFTM: I’d love to start a podcast with interviews or sponsor shows and DJ live events, but time is a big constraint. I’ve thought about revisiting SoundCloud, but royalty issues complicate that. For now, I’ll keep pushing forward, hopefully reaching 15 years with the show. I’ll continue as long as Chuck will have me and God keeps giving me the enthusiasm for it. What comes next? Only God knows.

Faster for The Master streams every Wednesday night at 10 PM Central Time on No Control Radio, available locally in Texas on 93.7 KLBJ FM HD2. Steve often engages with fans and bands during the show through the Faster for The Master Facebook page, fostering a vibrant community around the music he loves. Connect with him on social media and be sure to tune into Faster for The Master!

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Got a heavy music news scoop? Email Seth at heavensmetalseth@gmail.com.

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