Ignorance is the debut studio album by American thrash metal band Sacred Reich. It was released on October 13, 1987, by Metal Blade Records, and was followed up by the 1988 EP, Surf Nicaragua.
The album was co-produced by the band and Bill Metoyer, who had previously engineered most of Slayer's early work. Metal Blade reissued the album and released a 30th anniversary version of it with its original artwork on September 8, 2017, with LP and Digipak CD versions being available.
It is considered to be an essential release in the genre by Revolver.
Contents
Music and lyrics
The album's genre is thrash metal. The lyrics address topics such as war, racism, political repression, social justice, dictatorships, the Cold War, and Adolf Hitler.
Cover art
The album's cover art depicts a blind-folded prisoner superimposed over the United States flag, which Metal Paths regarded as "a provocative sign of resistance against the Ronald Reagan administration and its actions." The album cover was initially different but was changed due to the label seeing it as "too punk-looking."
Reception
In August 2014, Revolver placed Ignorance on its "14 Thrash Albums You Need to Own" list.
Personnel
Phil Rind – vocals, bass
Wiley Arnett – lead guitar
Jason Rainey – rhythm guitar
Greg Hall – drums
Dan Kelly – vocals on 11–14 tracks
Jeff Martinek – lead guitar on 11–14 tracks
Mike Andre – bass on 11–14 tracks
Ray Nay – drums on 11–14 tracks
Additional Personnel
Produced by Bill Metoyer and Sacred Reich
Engineered by Bill Metoyer
Assistant engineered by Richard McIntosh, Scott Campbell, Ken Paulakovich, and Bryan Carlstrom
Mixed at Track Record
Executive produced by Brian Slagel
Artwork by Paul Stottler