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Sacred Reich
Sacred Reich at Wacken Open Air 2012
Background information
Origin	Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Genres	Thrash metal
Years active	1985–2000 2006–present
Labels	Metal Blade Enigma Hollywood
Members	Phil Rind Wiley Arnett Dave McClain Joey Radziwill
Past members	Greg Hall Dan Kelly Jeff Martinek Jason Rainey Chuck Fitzgerald

Sacred Reich is an American thrash metal band based in Phoenix, Arizona, that was formed in 1985. Sacred Reich has been credited (along with Testament, Destruction, Death Angel and Dark Angel) for leading the second wave of thrash metal in the late 1980s.

Throughout its 40-year career, Sacred Reich has released 5 albums, 2 live albums, a box set, and 3 extended plays. With the exception of their hiatus from 2000 to 2006, Sacred Reich has performed live globally, including playing at clubs, theaters, arenas and festivals. They have performed alongside numerous acts such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Slayer, Motörhead, Sepultura, Pantera, Exodus, Testament, Anthrax, Flotsam and Jetsam, Dark Angel, Accept, Napalm Death, Obituary, and Suicidal Tendencies.

History

1985–1989: Early years, Ignorance, and Surf Nicaragua

Sacred Reich were formed at Coronado High School in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1985, with their original lineup consisting of guitarists Jason Rainey and Jeff Martinek, drummer Greg Hall, and vocalist–bassist Phil Rind. Later that year, they debuted with a demo tape, titled Draining You of Life. Martinek left the band shortly after, and in 1986 was replaced by Wiley Arnett. The band's then lineup remained stable, despite offers from Flotsam and Jetsam sent to Arnett and Rind, a vocalist position slot from Dark Angel offered to Rind, and acclaimed band Slayer offering Hall their then empty drummer position. With Arnett, they would re-record the tracks "Sacred Reich" and "Ignorance"; and in 1987, with strong support from then Flotsam and Jetsam bassist Jason Newsted, the song "Ignorance" appeared on the Metal Blade Records compilation Metal Massacre VIII, which brought them significant attention. Metal Blade Records would sign the band to produce an album later that year; The resulting album, Ignorance, was their debut album, released in October 1987, and the band would begin touring soon after.

In 1988, Sacred Reich would release the EP Surf Nicaragua, to significant positive reception, and the band began a world tour afterwards; they would tour alongside bands such as Atrophy and Forbidden in the United States, before touring alongside Motörhead in Europe. The band would also appear at Dynamo Open Air, which was recorded and later released as their first live album, Alive at the Dynamo, in 1989.

1990–1993: The American Way, and A Question

In 1990, Sacred Reich would release their sophomore album The American Way, which signaled a maturation in the band's sound since their first album, Ignorance. The album received significant positive recognition, debuting at No. 153 on September 1, 1990, on the Billboard 200 charts, lasting for nine weeks. Sacred Reich would continue touring in support of the album, including opening for high-profile names, such as opening for Pantera in support of their Vulgar Display of Power tour in the United States, and for Venom in Europe. In 1991, the band would release the EP "A Question". Drummer Greg Hall, who found their extensive touring to be difficult, would be replaced by Dave McClain, formerly of S.A. Slayer, later that year.

1993–2000: Independent, Heal, and break-up

After several albums on Metal Blade Records, Sacred Reich signed to major record label Hollywood Records to record their third album, Independent. Upon release, the album received little recognition; in part because of the drop in popularity of thrash metal, as well as the gap between album releases. In December 1995, Dave McClain left Sacred Reich to join the band Machine Head.

On their fourth album, Heal, Sacred Reich signed with Metal Blade Records to produce the album. When released, the album received little to no recognition, for similar reasons to their previous album Independent. Later that year, Greg Hall would rejoin the band; however, Chuck Fitzgerald would take over drumming duties for the world tour. The band would release a live album, Still Ignorant, in 1997, but the band would remain relatively inactive (outside of touring) until they would officially break up in 2000. Wiley Arnett would go on to form The Human Condition with St. Madness vocalist Prophet in July 2000, however the project was put on hold when Arnett entered a car accident. Greg Hall would join the band Soulfly in 2001.

2006–2017: Reunion

In November of 2006, the band announced that they would play several shows in the summer of 2007 in Europe, including Wacken Open Air, however they made no promises to re-enter the studio. They would later perform at Wacken Open Air again in 2009, which would be recorded and released as a live album, Live at Wacken, in 2012.

The band also contributed the Black Sabbath cover "Sweet Leaf" to the Hempilation: Freedom Is NORML compilation album to benefit NORML, and the Subhumans cover "The Big Picture" appears as the B-side of the "Open Book" promotional single. A three disc box set with remastered versions of Ignorance and Surf Nicaragua with additional bonus material, including the "Draining You of Life" demo tape and a live DVD, was released in Europe only in the summer of 2007 by Metal Blade Records. In the spring of 2017, the band announced their first North American tour in 21 years.

2018–present: Awakening

In January 2018, Sacred Reich signed to Metal Blade Records and began working on their fifth studio album, Awakening, which was released on August 23, 2019. It is the band's first full-length studio album since 1996's Heal, and their first since drummer Dave McClain and guitarist Joey Radziwill replaced founding members Greg Hall and Jason Rainey respectively.

Founding member and former guitarist Jason Rainey died on March 16, 2020, at the age of 53 from an apparent heart attack.

By September 2020, Sacred Reich had begun working on their sixth studio album.

Members

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

• Ignorance (1987)
• The American Way (1990)
• Independent (1993)
• Heal (1996)
• Awakening (2019)

EPs

• Draining You of Life (demo) (1986)
• Surf Nicaragua (1988)
• A Question (1991)

Live albums

• Alive at the Dynamo (1989)
• Still Ignorant (1997)

References

1. ^ Sharpe-Young, Garry (2007). Metal: The Definitive Guide : Heavy, NWOBH, Progressive, Thrash, Death, Black, Gothic, Doom, Nu. Jawbone Press. p. 138. ISBN 978-1-906002-01-5.
2. ^ Monger, James Christopher. "Sacred Reich Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2024. (a,b,c) The group was founded in 1985 by bassist/vocalist Phil Rind, guitarists Jeff Martinek and Jason Rainey, and drummer Greg Hall. Wiley Arnett replaced Martinek on lead guitar ahead of the release of the band's Hollywood Records-issued 1987 debut, Ignorance..." (d) "They (Sacred Reich) continue... on 1988's Surf Nicaragua and 1989's Alive at the Dynamo, both of which were EPs.." (e) ... McClain would leave the fold the following year to operate the kit for Machine Head, allowing Hall to resume his place on the Sacred Reich drum throne. (f,g) Hall appeared on the 1997 concert LP Still Ignorant, but by 2000 the band had officially ceased operations. (h) "The group re-formed in 2006 for a series of European live dates, including a high-profile slot at Wacken Open Air, but made no promises to head back into the studio.
3. ^ Larkin, Colin (June 1, 1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (2nd ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 307. ISBN 978-0851126562. OL 9506976M.
4. Book, John. "Metal Massacre, Vol. 8 - Various Artists". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 22, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
5. Slagel, Brian; Eglington, Mark (August 29, 2017). For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records (1st ed.). BMG Books. ASIN B074T21943. ISBN 1947026003 – via Billboard. While I was there, I became aware of another band from the Phoenix area, Sacred Reich, that we'd also sign to the Metal Blade roster.
6. ^ Atkinson, Peter (August 12, 1990). Record-Journal. Record-Journal. p. 34. Retrieved November 15, 2024. The American Way is an all-business affair that reflects the band's maturation since its frenzied, punk-fueled debut "Ignorance" was released in 1987, when most of the band members were fresh out of high school.
7. Henderson, Alex. "The American Way - Sacred Reich". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2024. As they evolved, Sacred Reich not only became one of the more accessible thrash metal units, but also one of the most lyrically compelling. ... The American Way makes us glad that lead singer/bassist Phil Rind had become fairly easy to understand.
8. The Daily Gazette. The Daily Gazette. March 8, 1993.
9. Brown, Steve (October 14, 1991). "Ocala Star-Banner". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 12. Retrieved November 15, 2024. (1) A Question is their first release since they departed with former drummer Greg Hall, who was replaced by David McClain after they switched labels form Enigma to Hollywood Records.
10. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Independent - Sacred Reich". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2024. But almost three years would go by before anything was heard from them again, and by the time they finally returned with 1993's Independent, their momentum was lost and thrash metal in general was pretty much yesterday's news.
11. McIver, Joel (October 15, 2012). Machine Head: Inside the Machine. Omnibus Press. ASIN B0D2TVGRKW. ISBN 9780857127983. Machine Head had their new drummer, although Flynn... left it 10 days before he informed McClain he'd got the job.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
12. Anderson, Jason. "Heal - Sacred Reich". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 7, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2024. By the time Phoenix thrash band Sacred Reich released Heal in 1996, the excitement that surrounded their particular brand of hard-edged metal had indeed dissipated, as bands like Korn and Deftones began moving mainstream metal in a new direction.
13. "Sacred Reich | Discogs". Discogs. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2024. (1) Sacred Reich is a Phoenix, Arizona based thrash metal band that formed in 1985." (2) "... but by 2000 the band had officially ceased operations.
14. ^ Phillips, William; Cogan, Brian (March 20, 2009). Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal Music. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780313348013. (1) ...before calling it quits in 1999." (2) "The band reunited for several shows in 2007, but it is unclear if the tour will continue or will lead to any new music.
15. "Sacred Reich Interview". lordsofmetal.nl. July–August 2007. Retrieved December 11, 2008.
16. Pryor, Terrance. "Sacred Reich celebrate 30 years of 'Ignorance' with Byzantine this fall". Axs.com. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
17. "SACRED REICH Signs With METAL BLADE; First Album in More Than Two Decades Due Next Year". Blabbermouth.net. January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
18. "SACRED REICH To Release 'Awakening' Album In The Summer". Blabbermouth.net. February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
19. "Sacred Reich To Release New Album "Awakening" In August, Debut Video For Title Track". Theprp.com. June 18, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
20. "SACRED REICH Rejoined By Ex-MACHINE HEAD Drummer DAVE MCCLAIN". Blabbermouth.net. December 18, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
21. "SACRED REICH Parts Ways With Guitarist JASON RAINEY, Announces Replacement". Blabbermouth.net. February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
22. "Former SACRED REICH Guitarist JASON RAINEY Dies Of Apparent Heart Attack". Blabbermouth.net. March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
23. "Sacred Reich - Working On New Material". metalstorm.net. September 6, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.

External links

• Sacred Reich discography at Discogs

• 1985 establishments in Arizona
• American musical quartets
• American thrash metal musical groups
• Heavy metal musical groups from Arizona
• Musical groups from Phoenix, Arizona
• Musical groups established in 1986
• Musical groups disestablished in 2000
• Musical groups reestablished in 2006
• Political music groups
• Metal Blade Records artists