Kingcrimsonprog UK thrashers Acid Reign aren’t the biggest band or the most cult-classic band in their scene. But after you get past Onlaught, Xentrix and Sabbat they are one of the first names that come to mind. They perhaps best known for their initial EP and debut album Moshkinstein and The Fear. Their initial run also featured some singles and compilations, but the most substantial thing for Thrash fans to check out after the two aforementioned releases would be their 1990 sophomore studio album, Obnoxious.

This pink-covered record is very much a continuation and refinement of the style established on the debut. It is no radical departure, bold evolution, or ‘90s Groove experiment. The songs are mostly on the longer side; but not necessarily progressive, like a lot of 1988-1992 Thrash had become (bar one or two songs). This is just heads down, straight ahead, no-nonsense Thrash through and through.

Well, I say no-nonsense, more like almost-no nonsense. The final track; the ironically titled “This Is Serious,” is a joke track, which is actual nonsense (but on purpose).

This isn’t the sort of album to pick up if you are brand new to Metal or even Thrash, but if you just can’t get enough and want to explore more. The bass tone on the album reminds me of Anthrax, the vocals remind me a bit of D.R.I and the guitar reminds me a tiny bit like a slower version of Hirax. It’s a nice combination. The song writing isn’t breath-taking and won’t knock the likes of Forbidden Evil or Fabulous Disaster from the top stops in my favourite Thrash albums, but it is solid and professional.

Highlights include “Thoughtful Sleep” which has a nice acoustic guitar intro with electric lead, as well as the more direct “My Open Mind” and the dynamic opener “Creative Restraint.”

Overall; not earth-shattering but it’s a solidly produced and performed effort of decent material that is well worth your time if you’re into this sort of thing.

Vim Fuego Thrash metal died in the early 1990s. Many of the leading bands changed direction, and lost their power, while others seemed to run out of ideas and inspiration. Acid Reign killed off their own career, taking the second of those two paths.

'Obnoxious' is very badly done. For a start, pink is NOT a good colour the cover of a heavy metal album. The packaging looks cheap and rushed, with very little thought put into it. The musical content is seriously flawed, only the band's problem seems to be too much thought, rather than not enough. There are some damn good ideas here, but they are poorly executed.

As a lyricist, H never took the easy path. A majority of the lyrics he wrote here were introspective, examining what makes an individual unique rather than following the crowd. Also included is the moving "Thoughtful Sleep". It is entries from the diary of a young man in the days leading to his suicide.

But herein lies the problem. The lyrics are too involved and complex to have any real effect. There is nothing for the listener to sink their teeth into, because you are kept busy trying to figure out what the lyrics mean. H's vocal delivery doesn't sit well with the music. He tends to attempt soaring vocal melodies from time to time, which is fine if you can manage them. Unfortunately, he can't, and often wavers about off key and searching for the correct notes.

Musically, more could have been expected from Acid Reign. The ideas are good, like discordant chords playing off each other, funky interludes, and the odd bit of good old high speed thrashing, but like the vocals they just don't work. Discordance can sound excellent when done properly. It seems like the band did not have enough time to hit the right (or wrong) chords, and seemed to be satisfied with a "rough enough is good enough" job. The funky jam on "Codes Of Conformity" is mildly entertaining, but feels like unnecessary filler at the end of an already lengthy song. Playing fast and heavy was what thrash was all about. Acid Reign forgot how. Sure, it's still heavy and speedy, but it's a train wreck. The drumming is all over the place, especially the cymbals and high hat, which are dreadfully out of time. The riffing is just speed for speed's sake, not at all memorable or catchy.

If you want to check out a genre dying and a band committing musical suicide, then give this a listen, along with Re–Animator's 'Laughing', Onslaught’s ‘In Search Of Sanity’ and Testament's 'Souls Of Black'. If you want a good Acid Reign album, try 'The Fear' or 'The Worst Of Acid Reign'.