Acid Reign: "Try to go against the current, and it can truly drive you mad"

Acid Reign belong to that select group of bands who played a defining role in shaping the British thrash metal scene during the late 1980s. Following the highly acclaimed "The Age Of Entitlement" - the album that marked their recording comeback after nearly three decades of silence - it became clear that the band's reunion was far more than a nostalgic exercise. Instead, it ushered in a remarkable second creative chapter, one that has, so far, reached its peak with the outstanding "Daze Of The Week". Combining blistering speed, exceptional riffs, razor-sharp social commentary and a purely analogue production aesthetic that is increasingly rare by today's standards, the album proves that Acid Reign continue to embody the very essence of thrash metal with the same conviction, authenticity and creative fire that defined their earliest years.

To mark the release of this exceptional record, we sat down with Howard H. Smith, the only remaining member of Acid Reign's original line-up, for a conversation that extends far beyond the new album itself. We discussed the lyrical themes and concepts behind "Daze Of The Week", the band's commitment to an entirely analogue recording process, the enduring legacy of "Obnoxious", the history of British thrash metal, and how a band with four decades behind it continues to create music with such remarkable intensity, inspiration and honesty.

Hello Howard, this is Thomas from Rocking.gr, and thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us. It is a genuine pleasure to welcome the last remaining member of Acid Reign's original line-up, a band that has earned its place among the most important names in British thrash metal history. Before we begin, I would like to offer my sincere congratulations on "Daze of the Week". It's a phenomenal album -fierce, inspired and remarkably fresh- and one that has been on heavy rotation since it landed on my desk. At several points on the record, Acid Reign come across as faster than ever before. Do you also feel this might be the most extreme and merciless thrash album you’ve recorded so far?

Hi, Thomas. Thank you very much it makes it all worthwhile and very satisfying to hear comments like that.  My intention from the very beginning was to create something that people wouldn’t see coming, adding back that old school lethal thrash element, which was really the one thing that the "Age Of Entitlement" was missing. Don't get me wrong, I love the age of entitlement, it's a polite way to come back after 24 years. This time I wanted to kick people in the face.

Howard, the title "Daze of the Week" seems to evoke a state of perpetual confusion, mental exhaustion and the struggle of navigating modern life. To what extent does it reflect the way you perceive contemporary society? At the same time, is there a unifying thematic thread connecting the songs on the album, or should it be viewed as a collection of different facets of the same human experience?

Firstly thank you for asking about my lyrics which are very important to me and really help define the theme and nature of the record. During the writing of this album as I was looking through the lyrics I realised that a theme was presenting itself there was lots of mentions of navigating rivers, water and streams. Drowning, floating, swimming and the overarching conclusion is that life is a river and sometimes it's peaceful and calm sometimes you might hit the Rapids and you have to hold on for dear life sometimes you might capsize and feel like you're drowning but ultimately the goal is to stay alive and afloat but one thing is for sure it's hard enough doing all of this going with the river. Trying to go against it can drive you mad. There are also songs that are not connected to any of those themes but it felt like they were the ones that were popping up the most. 

The band stated that "no digital sounds were used in this recording; it is all analogue." In an era where most productions are fully digital, what do you think the analogue process still brings to a thrash metal record?

Firstly let me explain what that statement means all of the sounds that you hear on the album are analogue they are organic they are real. There are no profiles used for the guitars what you hear is an amp miked up through a cab the drums you hear are the drums that Johnny played. Everything does go into Pro Tools to be put onto the grid and make sure everything it's nice and neat and tidy and in time but the actual sounds are not recreatable. For instance Jayce Lewis our producer and 6th member was asked by a very well-known metal producer if he could send over the drums he used for the Acid Reign album. To which Jayce replied no I can't because they're real, the producer could not believe it and said he hadn't used real drums for years! As for what I think it brings to the overall aesthetic, I think it adds to the impact of the album because not only are we providing a heads down thrash album that is both old school and new school but it is presented with a production that is unique to us and to the scene today.

One of the album’s strongest assets  -arguably the strongest- is its outstanding guitar work, with the guitarists delivering exceptional rhythm and lead parts. Their riffs and solos consistently maintain a high level of intensity and explosiveness, driving the record forward with relentless energy. Do you agree with that?

How could I not Matt and Darren would kill me haha! During the writing of this album with Matt I sat with him and saw him lay down all of those solos whilst we were developing the songs in their various early forms and those solos that he ripped out off the top of his head haven't changed a note since then. What you hear is pure flow, someone totally in the zone relaxed and feeling what the song needs.

The album is dedicated to the memory of Ian Gangwer. What did he mean to the history of Acid Reign, and how emotionally significant was his presence during the making of this record?

Ian passed away in lockdown and when I heard I was hit by an overwhelming sense of disbelief and loss. Even though Ian left way back he was somebody I went to school with, stayed in touch with, went out for drinks with whenever I was back in Harrogate. Dedicating this album to him is my way of saying goodbye, I miss you, we're carrying on and I know you'd love this.

You are now the only remaining member of the band’s classic lineup. How do you experience that responsibility today?

I have been for 11 years now and honestly it's not a responsibility it's a privilege. When I was 15 years old I was consumed, obsessed with the idea of being in a band signing a record deal and going on tour. If 15 year old me new that 41 years later I'd still be doing it and people still cared I would have been absolutely blown away. To a larger extent I am still living out that 15 year old's dream and I will until I can't dream anymore. Over the years you meet people and they have their "band story". They never quite made it and would love to have signed a record deal, still to this day would do anything for just a glimpse of that life and that is always a reminder to make the most of this.

Many fans point out that your voice sounds almost unchanged compared to the late ’80s. Is there a secret behind it, or has time simply been kind to Acid Reign?

Well I'm not sure if that is a compliment or not because I think I am a much better singer now than I was back in the 80s! I know what I'm doing now, I know my range, I know that I am a natural tenor But most of all I think I am much better at delivery and emoting my words. I guess I have always had character in my voice and I lean into that now more than ever. Has time being kind to me? It's more about maintaining a general level of fitness and I am a pretty fit guy so that's never been a problem.

Acid Reign are now considered a key part of the so-called British "Big Four" alongside Onslaught, Sabbat and Xentrix. Looking back, how do you see that era today, and the position of the UK scene within global thrash metal history?

That is something that I am very proud of, a real legacy for the band and everybody who's ever been in it it's nice to be able to say we're part of the UK BIG4. As for where the UK sits within global thrash metal history well let's be honest it's somewhere near the bottom and I completely understand that. North America brought us thrash metal Europe and especially Germany put a unique twist on it and the UK has always been behind. It's just one of those things and I wouldn't have it any other way.

After "The Age of Entitlement" and now "Daze of the Week", the band seems to be in a very strong creative phase. Do you see Acid Reign entering a new productive era, or do you prefer not to think in long-term plans?

Well I definitely think there will be a follow up to "Daze of the Week" but right now we are focused on touring this album and reaching every part of the world that we can. When that cycle looks like it's coming to an end we will start thinking about the next album, there is a danger that if you look too far ahead you take your eyes off what you are doing right now and that is never a good idea.

Thrash metal is often associated with speed and aggression. Yet on "Daze of the Week’ there is also a strong emotional and psychological layer. Where do these two dimensions meet for you?

Wow that is the first existential question I've been asked by anybody whilst doing press for this album. Firstly you are right in that there is a emotional and psychological layer to this album, the theme, the lyrics. For me it is important to make each word count and to try and right from the heart and not so much the head. So where do these two dimensions meet? Somewhere in between the music and the lyrics in a place that has yet to be discovered!

If you had to describe "Daze of the Week" without using any musical terminology, how would you define it as an experience?

If "The Age Of Entitlement" and "Daze Of The Week" went to see a band "The Age Of Entitlement" would stand at the back and "Daze Of The Week" would be in the pit.

Looking back at the classic British thrash movement, one could argue that bands such as Acid Reign, Xentrix and Onslaught shared far more musical common ground with the American thrash explosion than with what many would describe as a specifically British metal identity. Is that a fair observation, and which records or bands had the strongest influence on Acid Reign during those formative years?

I think that's very fair and possibly a reason for why UK thrash metal never really made an impact globally. It's my suspicion that people heard UK thrash and thought it was a lesser version of us thrash as opposed to other European countries that gave it their own twist because their native language was not English. The albums that inspired us back then were the albums that inspired everybody because there wasn't much available as this was the real early days so early albums by the BIG4, Celtic Frost, Voivvod, Dead Kennedys we would just consume everything we could.

Looking back at an album like "Obnoxious", which was arguably one of the most unusual and adventurous records to emerge from the British thrash scene, how do you view that album today? Personally, I feel it has gradually attained a cult status, perhaps because many of its experimental ideas and stylistic detours were ahead of their time. It also seems to resonate particularly strongly with listeners who appreciate more progressive and unconventional approaches to heavy music. Do you share that view, or do you see the album differently today?

Of all of the albums that we released first time around obnoxious is my favourite, I think creative restraint is one of the best songs we've ever written and thoughtful sleep one of my favourite songs we've ever written. Unfortunately the timing of the release was why the album really didn't catch on, it came out in April 1990 and by December 1990 nobody seem to care about thrash anymore. I am heartened to see that it often gets reappreciated today that's why we did a 35th anniversary pink T-shirt last year which is something we never got around to doing when the album came out. It is our biggest selling shirt to date and that brings a smile to my face too. 

Do you think there is any chance of seeing Acid Reign perform in Greece as part of the "Daze of the Week" touring cycle? Greek audiences have always shared a special bond with both classic and contemporary thrash metal, and I'm sure many fans here would love the opportunity to experience these new songs live.

That is very much up to Greek promoters we would love to play the whole of the country but as it is we are playing Athens with Sacred Reich on August the 30th so come along everybody reading this and say hi!

Howard, thank you once again for your time. Αs a long-time admirer of Acid Reign, i can only wish you and the band continued success and many more years of inspired music. May Acid Reign continue at full speed and may thrash metal never lose one of its most distinctive voices. All the very best from Rocking.gr and from Greece.

Thanks again that means a lot and thank you for the insightful an interesting questions. Hopefully I'll see you in the pit one day!