The American Way (album)
Encyclopedia
The American Way is the second full-length album from Sacred Reich
, a thrash metal
band from Arizona
, United States. It was released in 1990 and follows Alive at the Dynamo
, a live EP
recorded and released in 1989.
The band retained the same co-producer, Bill Metoyer, as their debut album, Ignorance
which was released three years previously.
The video for "The American Way" was used in the 1992 film Encino Man
.
, this was their first full-length album for three years and also the first to show a musical progression from the all-out thrash metal
which dominated their earlier material. Phil Rind, in the liner notes, explains the band's change in musical direction thus:
Sacred Reich
Sacred Reich is a Phoenix, Arizona-based thrash metal band that formed in 1985. Singer/songwriter Phil Rind's interest was in socially conscious and political speed metal. After several records on Metal Blade Records, they signed to Hollywood Records for a short stint, but later returned to Metal...
, a thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band from Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, United States. It was released in 1990 and follows Alive at the Dynamo
Alive at the Dynamo
Alive at the Dynamo is an EP from Sacred Reich, a thrash metal band from Arizona, United States. It was recorded at the Dynamo Open Air Festival in Eindhoven, Holland, in May 1989, and released on Metal Blade Records and Roadracer Records....
, a live EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
recorded and released in 1989.
The band retained the same co-producer, Bill Metoyer, as their debut album, Ignorance
Ignorance (album)
Ignorance is the debut album from Sacred Reich, a thrash metal band originating from Arizona, United States. It was released in 1987 on Metal Blade Records, and was followed up by the 1988 EP, Surf Nicaragua...
which was released three years previously.
The video for "The American Way" was used in the 1992 film Encino Man
Encino Man
Encino Man, released in Europe as California Man, is a 1992 comedy film directed by Les Mayfield and starring Brendan Fraser, Sean Astin and Pauly Shore. The plot revolves around two geeky teenagers from Encino, Los Angeles, California played by Astin and Shore, who discover a caveman in their...
.
Overview
Although the band had maintained a record of at least one release per year since their debut, IgnoranceIgnorance (album)
Ignorance is the debut album from Sacred Reich, a thrash metal band originating from Arizona, United States. It was released in 1987 on Metal Blade Records, and was followed up by the 1988 EP, Surf Nicaragua...
, this was their first full-length album for three years and also the first to show a musical progression from the all-out thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
which dominated their earlier material. Phil Rind, in the liner notes, explains the band's change in musical direction thus:
"Musically, we've tried to expand our horizons without forgetting our roots. Some people will appreciate the changes. Others, let's just say, they'd be satisfied with 'Ignorance II'"
Track listing
- All songs written by Phil Rind, unless otherwise stated
- "Love... Hate" (Rind, Wiley Arnett) – 4:02
- "The American Way" (Rind, Arnett) – 3:34
- "The Way It Is" – 4:51
- "Crimes Against Humanity" – 6:04
- "State of Emergency" – 6:03
- "Who's To Blame" – 3:33
- "I Don't Know" – 3:08
- "31 Flavors" (Rind, Arnett) – 3:10
Credits
- Phil Rind – vocals, bass
- Wiley Arnett – guitar
- Jason Rainey – guitar
- Greg Hall – drums
- The Unity Horns – horns on "31 Flavors"
- Tony Brewster – trumpet
- Will Donato – saxophone
- Tim Moynahan – trombone
- Recorded and mixed in 1989-1990 in CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, U.S. at Cornerstone Recorders with additional recording at Track Records - Produced by Bill Metoyer and Sacred ReichSacred ReichSacred Reich is a Phoenix, Arizona-based thrash metal band that formed in 1985. Singer/songwriter Phil Rind's interest was in socially conscious and political speed metal. After several records on Metal Blade Records, they signed to Hollywood Records for a short stint, but later returned to Metal...
- Engineered by Bill Metoyer
- Assistant engineered by Scott Campbell
- Cover illustration by Paul Stottler