Simon RushworthAcid Reign release their first studio album in almost three decades this autumn with The Age Of Entitlement set to shake up the world of thrash metal.
Featuring exclusive artwork by Mark Wilkinson (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Marillion) the band’s new long player is unleashed on September 27.
And frontman Howard ‘H’ Smith is justifiably proud of a partnership that looks set to breathe new life into the seminal metallers.
“I was introduced to Mark by Al Barnes (ex-Venom) last year in Bloodstock VIP and jokingly said if he ever fancied doing our cover art I‘d let him,” he said.
“Fast forward months later and amazingly he agreed to do it! We are thrilled to have such legendary figure involved with our album.
“For me, as a huge, old school Marillion fan, it‘s the icing on the cake.”
The Age Of Entitlement is Acid Reign’s first album since 1990’s Obnoxious and the first since H reformed the band in 2015.
“We started recording on August 1 last year with Jayce Lewis and he has been amazing,” added the band’s singer.
“He was badgering me to do this for months. We had two other bigger names telling us they would love to do it but Jayce showed us when recording The Man Who Became Himself that he would go above and beyond to get the best out of what was a very difficult session.
“So just think what we could achieve when we are in a much better place. The results are stunning. You have an old school thrash album with a contemporary twist and a production that honours that.
“I‘ve had the title for a long time. Straight off the bat it had an album title ring to it and speaks to a world view that the entire band shares, which is important.
“Then Mark came up with the artwork which he really knocked out of the park. We are all itching to get this out.”
The Age Of Entitlement features 10 tracks and will be available on streaming services, as a digital download, CD, LP and limited edition Cyan coloured vinyl.
