Too much time, too much of a wait, but I am sure that there are plenty of reasons for that. More than two decades gone since the latest preaching about the crumbling social order, a vast time period since the last time the world got a kick in the nuts for covering their eyes and ears. Maybe with what has been going on worldwide, whether in America, Europe and the rest of the civilized world, made an itch to go back addressing the public that "No, nothing really changed here guys, wake up!". Then I got banged up in the head with "Manifest Reality" out of the comeback record of the American Thrash Metal band, SACRED REICH, "Awakening", via Metal Blade Records. So there you have it folks, SACRED REICH are back with a vengeance, and they will be heard this time.

Refreshed with the power to create, SACRED REICH went to war on "Awakening", circling the musical directions that shaped their career, yet I sensed that there was rather more focus on their early 90s, meaning "The American Way" and "Independent" with that fine golden bit of their debut period, thus pointing at "Ignorance". "Awakening" is heavy and crushing, that was so needed from this band, especially with their last album "Heal" being not that better kind. Spewing sheer speed, alongside mid-tempo meaty riffers, a dangerous meeting of Heavy Metal and a slither of Punk. Furthermore, there is not your ordinary Thrash Metal maniacal soloing, yet quite impressive with their feel, the undying vocals of Phil Rind, a great chance for a late 80s / early 90s party time of aggression.

The sound of "Awakening" is top notch, helps the band ascertain a mighty posture. John Aquilino and Maor Appelbaum valuable work on the studio on the mixing and mastering, created a true sounding Thrash Metal record, polished yet with a sense of clarity and easy to digest.

One of the things I have always admired about SACRED REICH is that speaking their mind about what matters has always been a top priority. From what I could pick up from the songs, such as "Awakening", "Salvation", "Revolution", "Manifest Reality", it appears that they never really left that initiative, as there is constantly something to talk about, aspects in the everyday life, social and political, that affect others.

"Manifest Reality" is my top pick out of the album. I have been a sucker for the band's earlier days and it just caught me tight with its massive grip. A heavy chunk of simple riffing, yet worked like a charm on a person that wanted to bang his head so strong. "Killing Machine" continued with old school Thrash Metal fest with fired up aggression, like a loose cannon, it is a greeting back to the pit. "Divide & Conquer" on the other hand, is also a tough number, bearing full pedal to the Metal speed, yet shares memorable moments within the chorus that could make it a great part of a setlist. "Something to Believe" is the odd sod of the album, a step away from Thrash Metal into a modern driven American Hard Rock. It started similar to IRON MAIDEN's "The Prisoner" but shaped up to be a pleasant, atmospheric, song that is quite hearty and felt natural. Though my mind was set on purified attack, I was glad that this nature of a tune closed this album up.

SACRED REICH may have been away from the studio for quite a long time, but I imagine that it was worth it. They didn't reinvent themselves, they actually found themselves again. Nearly drawing back the entire old lineup to the fold, they came up with a well done achievement and a paved road to continue forward with pride.