Acid Reign


Acid Reign are an English thrash metal band from Harrogate, Yorkshire. Originally active from 1985 to 1991, they rebooted in 2015 with just Howard "H" Smith remaining from the original line-up. Along with Onslaught, Sabbat and Xentrix, Acid Reign are considered to be one of the "Big Four" of British thrash metal. They have released three studio albums: The Fear, Obnoxious and The Age of Entitlement.

History

Initial career (1985–1991)

Acid Reign were formed by drummer and keyboardist Mark Ramsey Wharton, bassist Ian Gangwer, singer Howard "H" Smith, and future Cathedral member, guitarist Gary "Gaz" Jennings.
In 1987, the band released the Moshkinstein demo. On the strength of this recording, they were picked up by British thrash metal label Under One Flag in 1988 who released the Moshkinstein EP. Following this release, Jennings was replaced by another future Cathedral member, Adam Lehan, and the band gained support slots opening for such acts as Flotsam and Jetsam and Death Angel. Acid Reign struck up a friendship with label mates Nuclear Assault and Exodus, and toured the UK and Europe as support to the Survive and Fabulous Disaster tours.
The band released their debut album, The Fear, in 1989. In support of the album, Acid Reign toured with Nuclear Assault again in 1989 across Europe with Dark Angel and Candlemass, with bassist Ian "Mac" MacDonald replacing Gangwer. Their second album, Obnoxious, arrived in 1990 to generally poor reviews.

Post-split (1991–2014)

Acid Reign broke up in 1991 after parting ways with Music for Nations. They played their final show at the London Marquee Club.
In January 2014, H started the world's only comedy/heavy metal podcast called "Talking Bollocks" for the British metal website All About the Rock.
On 30 November 2014, Acid Reign frontman H told All About the Rock:

Reboot (2015–present)

On 5 May 2015, Acid Reign announced on their Facebook page that they had reformed. Frontman Howard "H" Smith, who is the only original member of Acid Reign involved in the reboot, commented, "Finally the rebooted line up is complete, it's taken nearly two years but I can honestly say it's been worth the wait. Typically we're doing things differently to everyone else as where they reformed we are now rebooting. Everyone in the band has Acid Reign in their DNA, some of the guys knew the band back in the day and some didn't but everyone is on the same page and we can't wait to get out there and show the world how much it has been missing us." Two months later, Acid Reign released their first song in 25 years, "Plan of the Damned", via streaming platforms.
On 27 September 2019 the band released their first full-length studio album in 29 years, engineered, produced and mixed by Jayce Lewis at Northstone Studios, the long-awaited album titled The Age of Entitlement was released via Dissonance Productions to worldwide critical and fan acclaim.
In May 2021, Acid Reign confirmed on their Facebook page that original bassist Ian Gangwer had died. No cause of death was given at the time. On 25 March 2022, it was announced via the band's Facebook page that they had parted company with guitarist Paul Chanter. Drummer Marc Jackson and guitarist Dean "Cooky" Cook both left Acid Reign in December 2024.
Acid Reign began working on new material for their fourth full-length studio album as early as 2021. In January 2026, the band revealed Daze of the Week as the title of the album and it is set for released on 15 May.

Band members

Current members

  • Howard "H" Smith – vocals
  • Pete Dee – bass
  • Matt Smith – guitar

    Former members

  • Mark Ramsey Wharton – drums, keyboards
  • Garry Jennings – guitar
  • Ian Gangwer – bass
  • Kevin "Kev" Papworth – guitar
  • Adam Lehan – guitar
  • Ian "Mac" MacDonald – bass
  • Paul Chanter – guitar
  • Dean "Cooky" Cook – guitar
  • Marc Jackson – drums
'''Timeline'''

Discography

Studio albums

  • The Fear
  • Obnoxious
  • The Age of Entitlement
  • ''Daze of the Week''

    Other releases

  • The Worst of Acid Reign
  • ''The Apple Core Archives''

    EPs

  • Moshkinstein
  • ''Humanoia''

    Singles

  • "Hanging on the Telephone"
  • "Plan of the Damned"
  • "The Man Who Became Himself"
  • "The New Low"
  • "Blood Makes Noise"