Sacred Reich

Sacred Reich is a US thrash metal band from Phoenix, Arizona, active since 1985. They are associated with the second wave of thrash metal that emerges in the late 1980s, alongside bands such as Testament, Destruction, Death Angel and Dark Angel. Their sound mixes mid-tempo thrash structures with punk rock and hardcore punk influences, and their lyrics often focus on political and social issues.

Formation and early lineup

The band forms at Coronado High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1985. The original lineup includes Jason Rainey, Jeff Martinek, Mike Andre, Dan Kelly and Ray Nay. Phil Rind later replaces Andre on bass, Greg Hall replaces Nay on drums, and Rind also takes over vocal duties after Kelly becomes ill. After the demo Draining You of Life, Martinek leaves for military service and Wiley Arnett joins on guitar.

Metal Blade years and early releases

With Arnett in the group, Sacred Reich re-records the song “Sacred Reich” and records “Ignorance”. The song appears on Metal Blade Records’ Metal Massacre VIII compilation in 1987 and helps bring the band wider attention. Sacred Reich then signs to Metal Blade and releases its debut album, Ignorance, in 1987. The album combines thrash with punk and hardcore elements and addresses war, racism and political oppression.

In 1988, the band releases the EP Surf Nicaragua, which pushes further toward crossover metal while keeping the thrash foundation. The release increases the band’s international profile, and the group tours extensively. A live performance at Dynamo Open Air in 1989 later appears as Alive at the Dynamo.

1990s albums and lineup changes

Sacred Reich releases The American Way in 1990. The album broadens the band’s tempo range and reduces the fast, punk-driven edge of the earlier material. It reaches number 153 on the Billboard 200 and stays on the chart for nine weeks. The band tours heavily in support of the album, including co-headlining runs with Sepultura and Napalm Death.

The EP A Question follows in 1991. Later that year Greg Hall leaves and Dave McClain joins on drums. Sacred Reich then signs with Hollywood Records and releases Independent in 1993, an album that incorporates groove metal elements. McClain later leaves to join Machine Head. The fourth album, Heal, appears in 1996 and receives limited commercial attention. Greg Hall later returns, while Chuck Fitzgerald handles drums for touring, and the live album Still Ignorant appears in 1997.

Breakup, reunion and later activity

The band becomes largely inactive and disbands between 1999 and 2000. It reunites for live shows in 2006 and resumes activity as a live band. Sacred Reich plays festivals including Wacken Open Air in 2007 and 2009, with the latter performance later released as Live at Wacken in 2012. In 2017, the band announces a North American tour called “30 Years of Ignorance”.

Later releases and current lineup

Sacred Reich signs again with Metal Blade Records in 2018 and begins work on its fifth studio album, Awakening. Greg Hall leaves that year and Tim Radziwill fills in temporarily for recording and touring, while Dave McClain returns to the band. In 2019, Jason Rainey leaves because of health reasons and Joey Radziwill replaces him on rhythm guitar. The band also releases “Don’t Do it Donnie” with Iron Reagan and tours with the group.

Awakening is released in 2019, more than two decades after the previous studio album, and receives generally positive reviews. Jason Rainey dies in 2020. In 2023, Sacred Reich supports Carcass on a US tour with Municipal Waste. In 2024, the band is recording material for a sixth studio album. Dave McClain later leaves the group, Eduardo Baldo plays live with the band, and Baldo becomes an official member. The band’s next album is titled Into the Abys, and it is set for release in 2026.