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)
The Way It Is
Sacred Reich Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You just proved us wrong and now you're up to your same old tricks I
Guess we learned a lesson that people don't change overnight things will
Work out well with a little hard work it'll be alright
How could we be so foolish to rush head first, without a thought I guess
It goes to show if your unprepared you will be caught but now we've
Learned a lesson a lesson which we won't forget with our newfound
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
You seemed so sincere we'd work together it'd be lot's of fun but all
You saw was money it's not the issue 'til the music's done to you it's
Doing business to us it's doing what we love we'll just do our thing we
Won't give in for a buck
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
Like a soul attaining heaven we must ascend to greater heights got to
Make a change got to make a change, the time is right now I wish you
Well and thank you for what you've done for me to quote you "Mr.
Businessman" there's things in life that aren't free
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
The lyrics of Sacred Reich's song The Way It Is are about learning from naivete and moving forward in a realistic manner. The singer addresses someone who they believed had potential to create something positive with them, but ultimately proved to prioritize money and personal gain over their shared passions. Despite this disappointment, the singer acknowledges the lesson learned from rushing into situations, and that dedication and hard work will bring eventual success. The song emphasizes the importance of remaining true to oneself and not compromising values for profit.
From the first verse, the lyrics describe the failed attempt at collaboration with another person. The singer had hoped that the other person would be different from their previous reputation, but they were disappointed to find out that they were "up to [their] same old tricks." This sentiment progresses in the second verse, where the singer admits their own responsibility in being taken advantage of: "How could we be so foolish to rush head first, without a thought." However, this experience was a learning one and resulted in newfound wisdom that they will "not forget." The final verse ends on a hopeful note, with the singer looking forward to a brighter future and expressing gratitude for everything the other person had done for them.
The chorus repeats the line "This is the way it is, not how things should be, this is the way it is, this is reality," clearly communicating the message that sometimes things don't work out as planned, but that acceptance of reality is necessary to move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
We knew your reputation we hoped that things could be different but
You just proved us wrong and now you're up to your same old tricks I
Guess we learned a lesson that people don't change overnight things will
Work out well with a little hard work it'll be alright
We were aware of your negative reputation, but hoped that we could work together and make a difference. However, you ended up resorting to your old, dishonest habits. This taught us that change doesn't happen overnight, and that we can achieve success with hard work and dedication.
How could we be so foolish to rush head first, without a thought I guess
It goes to show if your unprepared you will be caught but now we've
Learned a lesson a lesson which we won't forget with our newfound
Wisdom things'll work out in the end
We were foolish to dive into things without thinking. It proved that being unprepared leads to failure, but our mistakes taught us something valuable that we won't forget. With this new understanding, we can move forward and succeed.
You seemed so sincere we'd work together it'd be lot's of fun but all
You saw was money it's not the issue 'til the music's done to you it's
Doing business to us it's doing what we love we'll just do our thing we
Won't give in for a buck
We thought you were honest and that we could work together and enjoy ourselves. But, you were only focused on financial gain whereas for us, our passion is more important than monetary gain. We will continue to do what we love and won't sacrifice it for money.
Like a soul attaining heaven we must ascend to greater heights got to
Make a change got to make a change, the time is right now I wish you
Well and thank you for what you've done for me to quote you "Mr.
Businessman" there's things in life that aren't free
We must strive for greater success, just like a soul reaching heaven. It's time for us to change and take our life in the direction we desire. We thank you for the things you have done for us, but as you once said, there are things in life that can't be bought.
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
This is the reality of the situation, although it may not be how we want it to be. It's important to acknowledge the truth and not get lost in our own expectations or ideals.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PHIL RIND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Juan Pablo Feria Gomez
We knew your reputation we hoped that things could be different but
You just proved us wrong and now you're up to your same old tricks I
Guess we learned a lesson that people don't change overnight things will
Work out well with a little hard work it'll be alright
How could we be so foolish to rush head first, without a thought I guess
It goes to show if your unprepared you will be caught but now we've
Learned a lesson a lesson which we won't forget with our newfound
Wisdom things'll work out in the end
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
You seemed so sincere we'd work together it'd be lot's of fun but all
You saw was money it's not the issue 'til the music's done to you it's
Doing business to us it's doing what we love we'll just do our thing we
Won't give in for a buck
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
Like a soul attaining heaven we must ascend to greater heights got to
Make a change got to make a change, the time is right now I wish you
Well and thank you for what you've done for me to quote you "Mr.
Businessman" there's things in life that aren't free
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
James Vuk
One of the most underrated metal bands ever
michael duhaime
you sure got that right James its 2021 and im thrashing my life away to the worlds best thrash metal band sacred reich
marc de jager
Saw their performance in 2014 in germany .
Still amazing good!!
RedneckStomp
This is the way it is, not how things should be.
This is the way it is, this is reality.
This is the way it is, not how things should be.
This is the way it is, this is reality.
Tony AK
Good to still see them touring!!!
Doc Peyote
awesome
jerry cunningham
awesome
MUZZER
THE ATTACK ON THESE DRUMS IS FUCKING SICK!
Hugoj33
excellent
Juan Pablo Feria Gomez
We knew your reputation we hoped that things could be different but
You just proved us wrong and now you're up to your same old tricks I
Guess we learned a lesson that people don't change overnight things will
Work out well with a little hard work it'll be alright
How could we be so foolish to rush head first, without a thought I guess
It goes to show if your unprepared you will be caught but now we've
Learned a lesson a lesson which we won't forget with our newfound
Wisdom things'll work out in the end
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
You seemed so sincere we'd work together it'd be lot's of fun but all
You saw was money it's not the issue 'til the music's done to you it's
Doing business to us it's doing what we love we'll just do our thing we
Won't give in for a buck
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
Like a soul attaining heaven we must ascend to greater heights got to
Make a change got to make a change, the time is right now I wish you
Well and thank you for what you've done for me to quote you "Mr.
Businessman" there's things in life that aren't free
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality
This is the way it is not how things should be this is the way it is this is
Reality