Cave Dweller interviews Sacred Reich
Sacred Reich has been around since 1985 and witnessed the impact of the digital age first hand. Do you think technology has a positive or negative effect in the metal scene in general?
I can’t really characterize it in terms or positive or negative. It certainly has changed the way we produce, consume and distribute music. In many ways it has democratized the music industry. It has made it easier and less expensive to produce and distribute music. I think back to how much it took to record our demo, make cassette copies, pray for a review in a fanzine, get $5 in the mail, package and mail our demo sometimes with an IRC (International Return Coupon). So in that way it is good. On the other hand making it easier has increased the amount of music available and it is hard to sort through all of the options. All the technology has not increased the quality. It can’t make your song good if it isn’t. It may be able to mask some flaws in the studio, but you will be exposed in a live setting where you will make or break your future.
Being a politically themed band, has recent unrest and political extremism motivated you to write new material, maybe a new album soon?
Not really. There is always something going on that can inspire you, both positive and negative, but I think our time as a band that makes new records has passed. It’s been 16 years.
One of our goals as a band has always been playing Europe. What is your best memory of playing Wacken Open Air in 2007?
There are a lot of things that came up that day. Being able to play such a prestigeous festival after being away for ten years was pretty incredible. We were pleasantly suprised that anyone still cared after all of that time. It was a sunny day with beautiful weather. Oftentimes it can be cold and rainy in that part of Germany, even in August. The sound onstage was great. The reception from the crowd was fantastic. We got to hang out with old friends including the guys from Destruction. Overall it was a very memorable day. I highly recommend playing Europe. The fans are great, the architecture is old, the venues have clean showers, the museums rock, the snacks are good and they have great beer.
Being from Arizona, how has the Southwestern Metal scene changed over the years, and what impact do you think Southwest Terror Fest will have in its future?
It seems like there are a lot more bands these days. That is good. I hope SWTF will give bands from the SW an opportunity to showcase their talents and meet and connect with other bands from around the country and the world. I hope the community will support it and let it evole and grow. Every festival begins with humble origins.
What bands are you currently listening to, and what bands are you looking forward to seeing at this years Terror Fest?
Been listening to some newer rock bands like Scorpion Child and Rival Sons, oldies like Sly Stone, Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder and some Slayer and Black Sabbath. I’d really like to catch Red Fang. We played together at a festival in Finland and I dug them. We have a gig in Phoenix on Saturday, the night they play, so regrettably we will have to miss them.
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