The American Way (album)
| The American Way | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Sacred Reich | ||||
| Released | May 15, 1990 | |||
| Recorded |
1989-1990 at Cornerstone Recorders Track Records California, U.S. | |||
| Genre | Thrash metal | |||
| Length | 35:45 | |||
| Label |
Metal Blade Records Roadracer Records | |||
| Producer |
Bill Metoyer Sacred Reich | |||
| Sacred Reich chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
The American Way is the second studio album by American thrash metal band Sacred Reich, released on May 15, 1990 by Metal Blade Records. The video for "The American Way" was used in the 1992 film Encino Man. The album debuted at #153 on September 1, 1990 on the Billboard 200 charts, lasting for 9 weeks.[2] 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.
Overview
Although 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 all-out thrash metal 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 tracks written by Phil Rind, except where noted.
| Side A | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Side B | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| Remastered Bonus Tracks | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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
- 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 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