Sacred Reich – Awakening

Genre: Thrash Metal
Country: U.S.A.
Label: Metal Blade Records
Year: 2019

It would be a lie to say that I was waiting for a new album by Sacred Reich. Since 2006 that they re-formed, they tour frequently so there was no implication of recording. In the minds of the audience, the group has succeeded with the first two full length and the EP. The next two releases didn’t manage to keep the interest of the listeners and that is shown from their recent setlists, which consists mainly of stuff from their first period. 23 years later, they decide to record something new. Dave McClain comes back to the drums, after the loss of Jason Rainy. “Awakening” is the album that had to be released after “The American Way”. It’s close to its sound and quality. There wouldn’t be the chasm that exists now between that and “Independent”. It’s not close to the continuing hammering of “Ignorance” since thrash and groove are somehow balanced, so it is closer to their second album. A landmark is the voice of Phil Rind with its special sound, the sociopolitical lyrics and their groove. In other words, despite the long absence, the record is 100% Sacred Reich. In the positive aspects is the big number of tracks, which makes them short-lengthed at the same time. The album is easy to listen and the eight tracks are all at the same level. A small surprise for me was “Death Valley” and “Something to Believe”, where the choruses have a cunning melody that is not used in Sacred Reich. Other than that, if “Awakening” was to be released after “The American Way”, the classic period of the band would have been longer. Of course, it’s welcome even in the year 2019. The point is that there needs to be a follow up to this because we miss their american way!