SACRED REICH (& NIGHT DEMON)

Is Sacred Reich able to revive the good old thrash days? Raymond Helebrand of RH-Design was curious and went to see these thrash metal greats at the 'Cacaofabriek' in Helmond (NL). He came back with a report and photos. Sacred Reich brought Night Demon with them as support but if that was a wise choice?

The venue in Helmond was packed with people, so it is fair to say, Sacred Reich is still relevant!! And how cool it is to see Phil Rind himself selling merchandise before the show. I think this says a lot about the person he is.

Before we got to see the main band of the night, the crowd had to swallow the support of tonight: Night Demon.
This three-piece band from Ventura, California is around since 2014 and has produced 3 full length albums and an EP.
To me, Dusty Squires (Drums), Jarvis Leatherby (Bass/Vocals) and Armand John Anthony (Lead Guitar), could have been time travelers because they made the impression as if they had come straight from the early 80s. The music, as well as their stage presence, has ‘NWOBHM’ written all over it.


After a 30 minute change over it became time for main attraction Sacred Reich to enter the stage and so they did.
The opening song ,,Divide And Conquer’’ from the 'Awakening' album, did already tell us that this band does not live on past performances, as this is a killer thrash song and they do set the record straight right away. This still is a superb live band!!
The energy coming from the stage immediately connects with the crowd and the first mosh pit is a fact within seconds of the beginning of the first song.


Former Machine Head, drummer Dave McClain, who is back behind the kit since 2018 and newest addition, 23 year old Joey Radziwill (Rhythm Guitar) complete this killer line up. Damn, Joey wasn’t even born when the band had their first stint in the 80s, early 90s.


,,Ignorance’’ (1987), ,,Salvation’’ (2019), ,,Independent’’ (1993) are next. The band shares a few anecdotes from the first time they played the Dynamo festival and remembering this as being one of the highlights in their lives. Being thankful to André (Verhuysen, the organiser of DOA) for the chance they were given back then. Personally I think this band has created their own chances by putting out great records with songs that still stand out after all these years and hard work. A lot of new thrash bands can learn a lot from a band like Sacred Reich.


Talking about surfing.
 ,,Surf Nicaragua’’ (1988) is concluding this night of high class Thrash Metal. I was glad to see this band live again. The only sad footnote I can make about this gig is that it only lasted about 70 minutes, a bit on the short end to my likings.