Band:	Sacred Reich
Album:	Independent
Style:	Thrash metal
Release date:	1993
Guest review by:	Opium

01. Independent
02. Free
03. Just Like That
04. Supremacy
05. If Only
06. Crawling
07. Pressure
08. Product
09. I Never Said Goodbye
10. Open Book
11. Do It
12. A Question [2010 re-release bonus]
13. Let's Have A War [2010 re-release bonus]
14. Who's To Blame [2010 re-release bonus]
15. Big Picture [Subhumans cover] [2010 re-release bonus]
16. Crawling [radio edit version] [2010 re-release bonus]

Avid fans of Sacred Reich's older releases will be immediately turned off by the sluggish, dragging guitar work, clearly void of the energy and charisma they once captured. Instead of a pummelling assault, we're given a predominantly mid-tempo, incredibly uninspired attempt, lacking ferocity, speed and overall dynamics. Effectively, Phil Rind's attempt to sound the way he did before does not work at all with the totally different, less developed sound.

The album might start off with a relatively fast-paced self-titled entry, although do not be fooled into thinking they will maintain this throughout the remaining duration of the album. Track after track, the listener will eventually realise what is being said here, as it becomes more obvious with every preceding second into the total playing time.

Lyrically, Rind has also stepped-back, taking a less offensive and less assertive approach, simplifying his views, making them even more accessible for those who haven't got the time or intelligence to discover what he usually viciously implies. Again, this signals the band's actual demise, as the listener will realise even after the first few tracks.

Supposedly, the reason why Sacred Reich failed to maintain consistently strong releases was due to excessive touring. It's surprising they didn't cease this at some point and deliver more of what fans might have desired, but not actually expected, because they could have amended their progressive downfall in doing so.

The only stand-out track here is "Free", apart from that, this album is best to be avoided at all costs, unless you want to be disappointed. Even not knowing what to expect wouldn't help here. Sacred Reich have definitely failed this time around.