It’s always annoying when people say that metal is apolitical. Almost like metal has nothing to say about the world, politics don't affect people's daily life in any meaningful way, or that you can just opt out of the decisions made for you by those in power. That’s one of the reasons why I appreciate Phoenix, AZ thrash icons
Sacred Reich. They’re whole thing is being political. SR was is the product of lead singer and guitarist Phil Rind’s desire to start a socially conscious speed metal band back in 1985. However, by the time they released their first LP Ignorance in 1987, the group had transitioned to a full-on thrash band to keep pace with the more muscular sound of their contemporaries, namely Death Angel and Testament. Awakening is the band’s first album since 1996’s Heal. The band had previously been on hiatus, but reunited and started gigging again in 2007. Awakening is the band’s response to the contemporary state of affairs and sees them sounding pissed off, revved up, and ready to unleash mayhem in the name of change. The album opens with “Awakening” a straight banger with scorching leads and a concrete ripping biker-rock groove. Next up is “Salvation,” a dose of double-time doom and gloom with a cloud parting chorus. Later, “Killing Machine” puts a mean pit igniting groove to service in dismantling the logical of military adventurism, while “Death Valley” is a grungy, hard-liquor quenched, fist-pumping march through the desert heat. On
Awakening, SR don’t sound like they’ve missed a beat since 1989. They sound every bit as determined and forceful today as they did during their ostensible heyday. It’s a great reminder of what a banging party an old school thrash album can sound like. I’m happy to recommend it to any headbanger looking to wax nostalgic about the second wave of American thrash or who is looking for some inspiration to make the Man choke on his tie as it's jammed down his throat (or both… or just the latter).
