The American Way is the second studio album by American thrash metal band Sacred Reich, released on May 15, 1990, via Metal Blade Records. The video for "The American Way" was used in the 1992 film Encino Man. The album debuted at No. 153 on September 1, 1990, on the Billboard 200 charts, lasting for nine weeks.[3] An enhanced remastered version released in 2009 contains pre-production demo recordings and a free patch. A second remastered version released that year contains the same songs plus "The American Way" promo video CD-ROM. The American Way is also Sacred Reich's final full-length studio album with drummer Greg Hall, who left the band in 1991.
| The American Way | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | May 15, 1990 | |||
| Recorded | 1989–1990 | |||
| Studio | Cornerstone Recorders Track Records California, U.S. | |||
| Genre | Thrash metal | |||
| Length | 35:45 | |||
| Label | Metal Blade | |||
| Producer | Bill Metoyer, Sacred Reich | |||
| Sacred Reich chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Select |  [2] |
Overview
editAlthough the band had maintained a record of at least one release per year since their debut, Ignorance, this was their first full-length album for three years and also the first to show a musical progression from the rougher sounding thrash metal in their earlier material.[4] 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'."[citation needed]
The band would work with producer Bill Metoyer, who previously worked with Flotsam and Jetsam, DRI, and Slayer.[5] The closing track, "31 Flavors", is a funk rock song.[6][7]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Phil Rind, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Love... Hate" | Rind, Wiley Arnett | 4:08 |
| 2. | "The American Way" | Rind, Arnett | 3:41 |
| 3. | "The Way It Is" | 4:58 | |
| 4. | "Crimes Against Humanity" | 6:17 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "State of Emergency" | 6:20 | |
| 6. | "Who's To Blame" | 3:40 | |
| 7. | "I Don't Know" | 3:14 | |
| 8. | "31 Flavors" | Rind, Arnett | 3:27 |
| Total length: | 35:45 | ||
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The American Way" (Pre-Production Demo) | 3:29 |
| 2. | "Love...Hate" (Pre-Production Demo) | 3:56 |
| 3. | "Crimes Against Humanity" (Pre-Production Demo) | 5:35 |
| 4. | "State of Emergency" (Pre-Production Demo) | 4:39 |
| 5. | "I Don't Know" (Pre-Production Demo) | 2:55 |
| 6. | "31 Flavors" (Pre-Production Demo) | 0:31 |
| Total length: | 56:51 | |
Credits
edit- Phil Rind – bass, vocals
- Wiley Arnett – lead guitar
- Jason Rainey – rhythm 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 California, U.S. at Cornerstone Recorders with additional recording at Track Records
- Produced by Bill Metoyer and Sacred Reich
- Engineered by Bill Metoyer
- Assistant engineered by Scott Campbell
- Cover illustration by Paul Stottler
Charts
edit| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[8] | 69 |
References
edit- ^ The American Way at AllMusic
- ^ Harrison, Andrew (July 1990). "Review: Sacred Reich — The American Way". Select (magazine). No. 1. London: EMAP Metro. p. 109. ISSN 0959-8367. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2021 – via selectmagazinescans.monkeon.co.uk.
- ^ "Sacred Reich The American Way Chart History". Billboard.
- ^ Henderson, Alex. "The American Way | Sacred Reich". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 22, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
As they evolved, Sacred Reich not only became one of the more accessible thrash metal units, but also one of the most lyrically compelling. ... The American Way makes us glad that lead singer/bassist Phil Rind had become fairly easy to understand.
- ^ "Audio Track" (PDF). Billboard. February 4, 1989. p. 51. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
Bill Metoyer (Flotsam & Jetsam, DRI, Slayer) ... and recorded and mixed the latest album for Heretic, Sacred Reich...
- ^ Larkin, Colin (June 1, 1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (2nd ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 307. ISBN 978-1-906002-01-5. OL 9506976M. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
The band also preached musical tolerance with '31 Flavors', the funk-rock album closer.
- ^ "Album Review SACRED REICH-The American Way (re-issue) :: Maelstrom :: Issue No 66". www.maelstromzine.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Sacred Reich – The American Way" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
External links
edit
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