Ex-Machine Head Drummer Dave McClain Rejoins Sacred Reich

It didn’t take long for ex-Machine Head members Phil Demmel (15 years in the band) and Dave McClain (23 years) to land on their feet after leaving one of metal’s top acts. Demmel got a text message less than 24 hours after stepping off stage with Machine Head for the final time with an invite to fill in for Gary Holt on Slayer’s European farewell tour (given, only for five shows, but still!). And now, not even a month after finishing his two decade-plus stint with Machine Head, McClain has gotten the call from classic thrashers Sacred Reich, with whom he drummed between 1991 and 1997.

Sacred Reich’s frontman and bassist, Phil Rind comments [via press release]:

“It is with great pleasure that we announce that Dave McClain is once again a member of Sacred Reich! This was the best case scenario that we could have hoped for. Dave is the best! A great drummer and a great person and we are beyond excited to welcome him back to the band. We’re headed into the studio in February and can’t wait for you all to hear our new record due in the Summer of 2019!”

McClain offered the following as well:

“I’m so excited about re-joining my brothers in Sacred Reich. To have the opportunity to make and play music with one of my favorite metal bands was always something I hoped could happen. I can’t wait for everyone to hear the new album that we’re recording in February and to come see us out on the road in 2019-2020.”

Greg Hall was the most recent drummer of Sacred Reich, according to Metal Archives, having played with the band from 2006 through 2018 (and in a separate stint from 1997 to 2000). No word on how or why Hall and the band parted ways this time around.

Sacred Reich expect to release a new album in 2019 via Metal Blade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOg4bDlZyAA