Ignorance

Sacred Reich: Phil Rind (vocals, bass); Wiley Arnett, Jason Rainey (guitar); Greg Hall (drums).
When Sacred Reich recorded Ignorance for the independent Metal Blade label in 1987, they hadn't yet achieved the type of excellence that characterized The American Way. Nonetheless, Reich had a lot going for them, and showed some promise lyrically as well as musically. The headbangers' outlook was never rosy, and on Ignorance (which, in retrospect, sounds much rawer than subsequent efforts like The American Way), they speak out on war, racism, political oppression, and other evils. "Death Squad" questions the wisdom of the U.S. government's supporting right-wing dictatorships in the name of anti-communism, while "Sacred Reich" examines Adolf Hitler's reign of terror. Invigorating as well as disturbing, this bombastic album indicated that Reich could amount to something special if given a chance to develop. And it turned out that, in fact, the best was yet to come. ~ Alex Henderson