As everyone knows, "Surf Nicaragua" showed the fans that SACRED REICH was a Thrash Metal band that wouldn't stay in the past, that they would evolve as they could to expand limits and aren't looking for success (even it was coming on those days). The all-out-Thrash Metal was becoming more and more sharpened, and finally on 1990, they released "The American Way", their second full length, and a surprise for many.

Frist of all is the fact that the two years between "Surf Nicaragua" and "The American Way" seem to allow the band to mature in terms of melodies and arrangements. It's far their best arranged release until that moment, polished in many parts (the choruses are excellent), the guitars are really sounding great (and not anymore as a wasp swarm), the rhythmic work improved a lot, and the vocals are in their best moment (the interpretation is excellent, and not a form of expelling words). Even some Funk Rock influences can be heard ("31 Flavors" is near from what could be heard on earlier releases of FAITH NO MORE and RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS). Maybe it was a shock for the radical fans, but for Thrash Metal maniacs, "The American Way" is a mandatory item for their collections.

For the third time, the band coproduced the album, leaving the hard work to the hands of Bill Metoyer in the production. And it's their best sonority until them, refined and worked in a sober way, balancing the natural aggressiveness of Thrash Metal with a clean aesthetics. This fusion created a sonority that, even today, sounds great. And the presence of Tony Brewster on the trumpet, Will Donato on the saxophone, and Tim Moynahan on the trombone on "31 Flavors" took things to the extreme of Groove/Funk.

"The American Way" is rich in terms of musical arrangements and different tempos, along a better set of polished melodies. "Love...Hate" will sound as a traditional song of the band for many, but the technical refinements and rhythmic shifts are already there; the brutal and oppressive slow paced rhythm of "The American Way" (with great guitar riffs), the all-out-abrasive violence of "The Way It Is" (one of the best choruses of the entire album, and the vocals are amazing), the slower paced tempos and oppressive ambience of "Crimes Against Humanity", the unusual contrasts of "Who's to Blame", and the hooking Thrash Metal appeal of "I Don't Know" are the best ones.

As told above, "The American Way" is a divisor on SACRED REICH's career, and their tendency would grow and become as great as SEPULTURA and PANTERA in those days. But as Thrash Metal was losing its commercial space to Grunge and Alternative Rock, things became harder. But this album is still amazing and fresh today. Hear and enjoy (and buy it).