Sacred Reich is an American thrash metal band based in Phoenix, Arizona, th… Read Full Bio ↴Sacred Reich is an American thrash metal band based in Phoenix, Arizona, that was formed in 1985. The band split in 2000, but reunited in 2006. Sacred Reich has been credited, along with Testament, Destruction, Death Angel and Dark Angel, for leading the second wave of thrash metal in the late 1980s.

After several albums on Metal Blade Records, Sacred Reich signed to Hollywood Records for a short stint, but later returned to Metal Blade to continue their musical career. After breaking up in 2000, the band announced in November 2006 they would play several shows in the summer of 2007 in Europe, including Wacken Open Air.

Throughout its 37-year career (with the exception of a hiatus from 2000 to 2006), Sacred Reich has performed live globally, including playing at clubs, theaters, arenas and festivals. They have performed alongside numerous acts such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Slayer, Motörhead, Sepultura, Pantera, Exodus, Testament, Anthrax, Flotsam and Jetsam, Dark Angel, Accept, Napalm Death, Obituary, D.R.I, Vio-lence, Forbidden, Holy Moses, Forced Entry, Gwar, Suicidal Tendencies, Iron Reagan, Overkill, Kreator, Destruction, Corrosion of Conformity, Queensrÿche, King Diamond, Municipal Waste, the Cro-Mags, Sick of It All, Excel, Atrophy, Heathen, Armored Saint, Nuclear Assault, the Crumbsuckers, M.O.D., Agnostic Front, Death Angel, Onslaught, Xentrix, Coroner, Danzig, Crowbar, Viking, Evildead, Savatage, Trouble, Cathedral and Omen.

Former drummer Dave McClain went on to join Machine Head in 1995. Lead guitarist Wiley Arnett went on to form The Human Condition with St. Madness vocalist Prophet in July 2000.

The band also contributed the Black Sabbath cover "Sweet Leaf" to the Hempilation: Freedom Is NORML compilation album to benefit NORML, and the Subhumans cover "The Big Picture" appears as the B-side of the "Open Book" promotional single. A three disk boxed set with remastered versions of Ignorance and Surf Nicaragua with additional bonus material, including the "Draining You of Life" demo tape and a live DVD, was released in Europe only in the summer of 2007 by Metal Blade Records. In the spring of 2017, the band announced their first North American tour in 21 years.

In January 2018, Sacred Reich signed to Metal Blade Records and began working on their fifth studio album, Awakening, which was released on August 23, 2019. It is the band's first full-length studio album since 1996's Heal, and their first since drummer Dave McClain and guitarist Joey Radziwill replaced founding members Greg Hall and Jason Rainey respectively.

Founding member and former guitarist Jason Rainey died on March 16, 2020, at the age of 53 from an apparent heart attack.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Reich

Studio albums
Ignorance (1987)
The American Way (1990)
Independent (1993)
Heal (1996)
Awakening (2019)

Heal
Sacred Reich Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I remember, every word you said
I'll remember all until my dying day
I can't forget just what you said meant
But I'll try my best still anyway
Every promise broken I remember
Don't ever think I don't
Can't forgive can't forget
While I try to heal my wounds

I remember like it was yesterday
All my days were filled with joy
Then you came in lie a black cloud
And my happiness was destroyed
Every promise broken I remember
Don't ever think I don't
Can't forgive can't forget
While I try to heal my wounds
Can't forgive can't forget
I know I will go on
How could I be too blind to see
That you had just led me on
Now you are gone but I can touch
These wounds that I can feel
It's another time in life
My old wounds have healed
That was then and this is now
And those things are now in the past
And I know no matter what
Some things weren't meant to last
Ever promise broken I remember
Don't ever think I don't
Can't forgive can't forget
While I try to heal my wounds
Can't forgive can't forget
I know I will go on
How could I bee too blind to see
That you had just led me on
Now you are gone but I can touch
These wounds that I can feel

It's another time in life
My old wounds have healed

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sacred Reich's song "Heal" depict the lingering pain and resentment of a broken promise and deceitful relationship. The singer of the song remembers every word and promise made, but all were eventually broken, leading to a cloud of darkness and destruction that enveloped their happiness. The singer cannot forgive or forget, as the wounds that were inflicted hurt deeply. However, as time passes, those wounds begin to heal, and the singer finally discovers the strength to move on.

The emotions conveyed in the song are powerful and relatable, as many people have been led on and experienced disappointment or betrayal in their lives. The lyrics urge listeners to acknowledge their pain and not rush the healing process, while also recognizing that healing and moving on is possible despite the hurtful past. The repetition of the phrase "Can't forgive can't forget" emphasizes the deep pain and unresolved feelings, while the final verse brings closure and acceptance of the past, knowing that some things were not meant to last.

Overall, "Heal" is a raw and honest depiction of the aftermath of a broken promise and serves as a reminder that healing is a process that takes time and self-care.

Line by Line Meaning

I remember, every word you said
The memory of every word said by you is still with me

I'll remember all until my dying day
The memory of your words will last till the end

I can't forget just what you said meant
The meaning of your words can't be forgotten

But I'll try my best still anyway
Despite that, I'll still try to let go of the memory

Every promise broken I remember
I can't forget the broken promises

Don't ever think I don't
Make no mistake, I haven't forgotten

Can't forgive can't forget
I can't forgive or forget

While I try to heal my wounds
But I'm still trying to move past the pain

I remember like it was yesterday
The memory is still fresh, like it happened yesterday

All my days were filled with joy
My life was filled with happiness

Then you came in lie a black cloud
But then you came along and brought darkness