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One of the most influential bands in the 80s thrash metal scene and renowned for their controversial political lyrics, Arizona's Sacred Reich have recently reunited to bring the original thrash metal experience home to a new generation of fans. Battlehelm's Shan Siva talked to mainman Phil Rind pre his London show.

So how come you're back all of a sudden, and is this just a one off reunion or something more long term?

Phil: It’s just us getting together to play some shows and have some fun. Nothing more.

I can't remember how it all ended for the band - the band seemed to be fairly on and off in the late(?) 90s, then that was it - sadly without a lotta people noticing. So what was the main reason for the ending?

Phil: It just seemed like it was time. I hadn’t written any songs and our time had passed. It was time to move on.

I remember Dave McClain saying (I think in Metal Maniacs) that SR suffered from low self esteem which is why he upped and left - is there any truth in that?

Phil: I don’t think he meant low self esteem, it’s just that we were coming to an end. Heal was our last studio record. Dave had just made two records with us and got a taste of touring and he wanted more. I saw him not too long ago and told him leaving was the best decision he made. It also allowed us to get Greg back, so everything worked out.

I think that SR was one of the pioneering thrash bands especially in respect of discussing social issues and possibly the only band brave enough to comment on US foreign policy at the time but do you feel with hindsight that it also encumbered the progress of the band, at least in terms of commercial success?

Phil: The only thing that hindered our commercial success was lack of talent! No really, I don’t think our content got in the way. We got as big as we were supposed to. We did what we wanted and took what we got.

In your opinion, which of your songs would you consider to be the most controversial and why?

Phil: I really don’t consider any of the songs controversial. They were just opinions of what was going on at the time. When we do “The American Way” or “Crimes Against Humanity” it seems like nothing has changed in the last 17 years.

Was the name ever a hinderance? I could see a few people going 'uh oh' but if I'm not mistaken there was never any hint of Nazism right? Just to clarify, what does the name mean anyway?

Phil: The name must have gotten in the way at some point, but no one ever came right out and said it. We are as far from nazi’s as you can get. The name never meant anything, Jason thought it sounded cool, and you knew we weren’t a polka band!

I remember at one of the Dynamo Open Air festivals you ended up replacing Halford - that was amazing as I'd never seen SR live and it really made my day. How did that come about? Its not as if you live in Eindhoven?!?!

Phil: We spoke with Andre the promoter of the festival a week before the show. We told him we’d be there because the band who was supporting us Skrew, were playing the tent. We told him we’d love to play and to let us know if he needed us. The night before the show I met with him and he told me Halford cancelled and we would be going on at 4 o’clock. Thanks once again Rob!

What have you guys been doing since SR finished - does Greg (Hall) still work in Pizza Hut (he must be CEO by now right?)?

Phil: No, Greg doesn’t work at Pizza hut any more. We all work and support our families. Nothing glamorous just doing what it takes.