SACRED REICH RETURNS

Here are some of the albums that come out today.

Sacred Reich – Awakening

One of the things that I absolutely hate hearing is “there is no good new music” or “music died after 1989”. Go chase a parked car, let me tell you if that’s what you actually think then I’m sorry to say but you’ve missed out on a ton of great music that’s come out over the years.

To all those people that say “90s metal sucked” well you didn’t check out Independent or Heal by Sacred Reich. Both albums are monsters, and further prove that metal was not dead, it was just ignoramuses that refused to search good new music out.

When I initially received Awakening, I was hesitant to listen to it. I had checked out the two videos they released (posted about them on the site), plus checked out the song off of their recently released split called “Don’t Do It Donnie”.

But so many bands get back together, put together a great track or two, and just give you c and d level versions of songs you love from their catalog. I am happy to say that is not the case here. Dave McClain is back after being lent out to Machine Head for over two decades (nudge nudge, wink, wink), and the band has brought in Joey Radziwill to replace Jason Rainey.

The band has always known how to be themselves and take advantage of every recording situation, whether that’s working with Dave Jerden, or Arthur Rizk, who is a hot metal producer having worked with bands like Power Trip and Code Orange. The album sounds modern, but still, steam rolls you like Sacred Reich always have.

The album offers enough twists and turns to remind you of how great this band can be.  Phil Rind’s unique voice and lyrics coupled with Wiley’s signature soloing style reminds you of what the band has done in the past, while at the same time new elements are added to the music, and the album is recorded and mixed in such a way that makes this album sound fresh and new.

This is a must-get for anyone that was into the band in the day, this is end-of-year list material for me.

Crobot – Motherbrain

The Pottsville, Pennsylvania band is a lot of people’s response to the “rock is dead” argument. They have spent the last few years cultivating an audience, and even though their last album Welcome To Fat City had a much more Sabbath vibe to it, the video below “Low Life” takes on more of an STP approach to things.

With this album, the band shows that it has matured, and continues to evolve. If you’re looking for a new band to check, new to you that is, Crobot maybe that band.

Denner’s Inferno – Fountain Of Grace EP

I don’t normally highlight an EP, but Mercyful Fate guitarist Michael Denner has a new project and the title track of the EP is dripping, and oozing his style of creepy metal riffs, so I can’t help but highlight the video and help hype up the EP’s release. Want more?  No worries, the full length will be out in November.

Helhorse – Hydra

The Danish band is back with their fourth album Hydra. The band is described as mixing several genres of rock-based music, but to simplify things, let me just say this, they mix riffs that are thick and heavy as fuck, and melodies that are infectious as all hell. Sure to be stuck in your head on first listen.  Loving this album so far.

New Model Army – From Here

I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the band, but I’ve enjoyed their music over the years, the new track “Never Arriving” is off of their fifteenth album From Here. It was recorded on a remote island off the coast of Norway, which helped set the mood for the album. If you love the band, I’m sure you’ll pick this one up, if you’re new to the band, this might be a great gateway into their past catalog.

Vak – Loud Wind

This is the Swedish band’s second album, they put their career on hold due to an illness/medical emergency that one of the members of the band suffered. The band’s influences are everything from Tool to Radiohead, from Kate Bush to Mastodon, which on paper may not make sense to most, but once you hear them you’ll say “oh yeah, I get it”. Maybe not the most known of bands on the list, but something worth checking out nonetheless.

Here are some other albums that come out today:

Domination Inc. – Memoir 414

Ivory Tower – Stronger

The Dead Daisies – Locked And Loaded: The Covers Album

Bullet For My Valentine – Gravity/Radioactive Vinyl

Devin Townsend –Eras Part 4 Vinyl

Lacuna Coil – Comalies Vinyl

Lacuna Coil – In A Reverie Vinyl

Within Temptation – Black Symphony Vinyl

Article by Victor M. Ruiz of Mars Attacks Radio & Podcast, and Galaxy Of Geeks Podcast.  Connect with him on Twitter:  @vmr907