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Rating: SACRED REICH from Scottsdale (Arizona) are part of that group of Thrash bands that have always worked behind the big names of the genre, but this doesn’t make them inferior; in fact, many times they've surpassed the big stars in attitude and faithfulness to the genre.
Among these bands, I can recall: Xentrix, Forbidden, Death Angel, Defiance, Vio-lence, Flotsam and Jetsam, Heathen, and indeed Sacred Reich, whom I consider the "fathers" of Pantera.
Born discographically in 1987 with the album "IGNORANCE," they see PHIL RIND as the main composer, bassist, and singer of the group, WILEY ARNETT and JASON RAINEY on guitars, and GREG HALL on drums, later replaced by DAVE McCLAIN now with MACHINE HEAD.
"The American Way" is the third studio effort after the aforementioned debut and the 1988 EP which contained the splendid "SURF NICARAGUA" and "ONE NATION" later covered by Max Cavalera’s Soulfly in their "3" (2002). What distinguished Sacred Reich from the rest of the thrash bands were the themes of their lyrics, strongly socially conscious (against racism and political oppression) and anti-militaristic (always against Hitler's Nazism, hence their sarcastic name), yet they were developed with ironic and irreverent lyrics much like their wonderful comic book-style covers.
In terms of sound, we are faced with Thrash metal rich in tempo changes, stop-and-go with some forays into hardcore like "I DON'T KNOW" and crossover between these genres like "WHO'S TO BLAME, LOVE… HATE and THE WAY IT IS". The guitar riffs are very downtuned and reminiscent of what would later make Pantera, of DIMEBAG DARRELL (R.I.P.), famous. On these riffs heavier mid-tempos are built like "THE AMERICAN WAY" and "CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY" accompanied by Sabbath-inspired slowdowns. Closing the album "31 FLAVORS" a fun parody in text and music of a rap-funk-metal song complete with horns that seems to almost mock the early Faith No More.
After this album, there will still be time for two more studio albums "INDEPENDENT" (1992) and "HEAL" (1996) and a live album in 1997 which will put an end to a band that has not yet succumbed to the allure of reunions, though personally, I miss them a bit.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
04 Crimes Against Humanity (06:15)
Toxins, pollutants and poisonous gasses without notice take their toll on
the masses air becomes thicker than the water we drink people unaware
of the spread of disease smoke fills the sky and the sun disappears rain
from above is like acid filled tears the fragile balance of sky and earth
has been altered forever harmony disturbed
Towering temples of modernization megatropolis monument to
civilization pollution and waste is direct indication to the growing
problem of the world's situation smoke fills the sky the sun disappears
rain from above is like acid filled tears the fragile balance of sky and
earth has been altered forever harmony disturbed
What will it take to make us see these are crimes against humanity not
only you, not only me but even our future society these are crimes against
humanity
Pain and suffering are what can be found violence and hatred are what
abound building the weapons that we can't use can't we see they have
only one use we need more compassion not more war planes are we so
blind uncaring insane brought into this world with nothing and with
nothing we're destined to depart
What will it take to make us see these are crimes against humanity not
only you, not only me but even our future society these are crimes against
humanity
Crimes against humanity
05 State of Emergency (06:14)
Jailed and beaten left to die political prisoners of apartheid youth of the
nation violently oppressed in the quest for freedom thousands dead
How can we let this be in their country they must be free when will
segration end when will the masses be free again
I can't concieve of this injustice I can't believe it's going on white man's
law is held supreme black man have no rights at all
How can we let this be in their country they must be free when will
segration end when will the masses be free again
In this age let's have harmony all people can be free this injustice must
now end the masses will be free again
How can we let this be in their country they must be free when will
segration end when will the masses be free again
06 Who's to Blame (03:38)
Jonny can you hear me, turn that music down
You're making too much noise, I mean it do it now
all that stuff is evil, Ozzy, Judas Priest
there's backwards messages in that stuff that leads you to the beast..
Jonny can you hear me open up that door
I've been calling you for hours, I won't say it anymore
just wait until your dad gets home and sees what you have done
kicked out of school you've got no job you're a useless
delinquent bum
oh my god it's Jonny hanging by his neck
all those metal albums have led him to his death
Now it's time for parents to open ears and listen
maybe it's too late to see what you've been missing
music is no cause of death it's you that suffocates
if you had opened your eyes and ears you'd see just who's to blame
Who's to be responsible for a life that's gone off track
who's the one who must be there to see it gets put back
where were you to hear the cries of a person in need
were you there to see the signs or were you too busy
Now it's time for parents to open ears and listen
maybe it's too late to see what you've been missing
music is no cause of death it's you that suffocates
if you had opened your eyes and ears you'd see just who's to blame
Who's to be responsible for a life that's gone off track
who's the one who must be there to see it gets put back
where were you to hear the cries of a person in need
were you there to see the signs or were you too busy
Who's the cause, who's the blame for a life that's not worth living
is it parents, family who take without giving
so next time that you close your eyes and choose to shift the blame
remember you can save a life....
so really who's to blame?!
08 31 Flavors (03:16)
Vanilla is smooth
chocolate is kickin'
strawberry is sweet
all deserve a hearty lickin'
have em all
three scoops piled high
variety is the spice of life
Well you can have soft serve
and hard sugar cones
root beer floats
or my banana split
do you like nuts
or some sticky whip creme
come lick it off
and be my dairy queen
I love the Chilis
freaky, uplift, mother's milk
Faith No More
Mike Patton's voice is smooth as silk
Metallica's
music makes me want to rage
Sting's lyrics
have something to say
Jimi Hendrix
plays guitar like a no one else
Black Sabbath
Ozzy's voice is sick as hell
Prince, Fishbone, NWA
these are the things that I like to play
Mr. Bungle
is so very cool
so don't be
an ignorant fool
there's so much music
for you to choose
so don't just be
a metal dude
it's cool fool
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