Sacrilege | Behind The Realms Of Madness |High Roller Records (Reissue/Remastered)

Release Date 23.01.2026
Format MLP
Genre Punk/Thrash Metal
Country United Kingdom

Sacrilege formed in Birmingham in 1984, right where soot, tension and working class anger were still thick in the air. Fronted by Tam on vocals, alongside Damian on guitar, Tony on bass and Andy on drums, the band came out of the same underground pressure cooker that bred Discharge, English Dogs and Broken Bones. Early demos circulated fast in punk and metal circles, leading to a deal with Children Of The Revolution Records and the recording of six tracks that would become “Behind The Realms Of Madness”. The band barely played any shows, promotion was minimal, yet word spread hard and wide. This album travelled on tape trades, word of mouth and pure reputation, turning Sacrilege into a cult name long before cult status was fashionable.

"Behind The Realms Of Madness" is a total neck-breaker that proves you don't need a million notes to sound dangerous. From the moment "Lifeline" kicks in, the aggression is disgusting. Tam’s vocals are pure venom, sounding more menacing than most of the guys fronting bands in 1985. There is no glossy production here to hide behind, just pure, filthy energy. Songs like "Shadow From Mordor" and "At Death's Door" show off Damian's talent for writing riffs that bridge the gap between a Discharge basement show and a Metallica arena.

The mix of styles on this album is what makes it a mandatory listen for any self-respecting metalhead. You can hear the doom influences creeping into the faster thrash tempos, creating a sound that is heavy as hell. "A Violation Of Something Sacred" and "The Closing Irony" are grim, politically charged anthems that haven't aged a day. The drumming is relentless, and the bass tone has that perfect metallic clang that defines the mid-80s UK underground.

It is easy to see why this sold tens of thousands of copies back in the day with zero promotion. "Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind" closes things out by leaving you wanting to smash your head against a wall. This isn't some polite trip down memory lane; it is a reminder that Sacrilege was the undisputed kings of the crossover sound. If your collection is missing this, you aren't playing the game right. It is loud, it is ugly, and it still shreds.

Score: 8.0

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