Album artwork always complements the music. How does the visual concept of "Daze of the Week" tie in with the music itself, and whose idea was it?
Well the artwork was my idea also with the help of Peteand it depicts the room from the album cover The Fear but is also a tribute to the album Script For A Jesters Tearby Marillion which is one of mine and Pete's favourite albums. There are also 10 Easter eggs in the artwork each representing a song on the album and it is all brilliantly brought to life by Dan Goldsworthy.
The single "Sorrowsworn" carries incredible heaviness and a darker vibe. Is this the album's most experimental moment?
No, I don't think so for me it is a fairly straight ahead three verses, three pre choruses, three choruses, Mosh part, solo, straight ahead up tempo mid pace tune. I wouldn't describe it as experimental in any way if I'm honest with you but thanks!
If you had to pick just one track from "Daze of the Week" that perfectly defines Acid Reign in 2026, which one would it be?
Before the album came out I'm not sure which song I would have said but since it's been out and the reaction to it I think it would have to be Alonely. People seem to love that tune, it's funny the minute you release an album it stops being yours and you get to find out what everybody else thinks and to us it was just another good solid tune. But it's without doubt the song that gets mentioned the most by people to us which has come as a lovely surprise.
The band underwent a major lineup overhaul in 2025. How have the new musical additions influenced your sound? Did this help you find fresh energy or return to the classic Acid Reign style?
I don't think it's influenced our sound because Matt has been in the band for quite some time playing Acid Reignsongs and knowing what they should sound like, but yesyou are right they have definitely added an energy and a momentum which is absolutely fantastic.
H, you’ve been the band’s vocalist for four decades. How do you view the band’s past achievements today, and is there anything in your history you would change if you had the chance?
Honestly I don't think about the past because it's in the past and it can't be affected so no I wouldn't change anything. I'm happy with where we are so I must have done something right in that time. It's all about the future, life is ahead of you not behind you.
I ask this because you are known for bringing a sense of humor to the thrash metal scene, which can often be quite serious. Have you ever faced criticism for having too little "darkness" in your music for the genre?
We've been back eleven years and there is no musical humour in that time, our live shows are fun that's the way they always have been and that's the way they always will be we don't play gigs we host parties. Yes we have faced criticism but that was first time around ever since we've come back people know what to expect and the scene is very different and much more open minded nowthan it used to be.
The British thrash scene has always had a different vibe compared to the Bay Area or even Germany. In your opinion, what was—and remains—unique about the British approach to metal?
Well I can only speak for myself and our band we just are ourselves, always have been, never tried to sound like anybody else or be like anybody else. Of course, we have influences just like everybody else but over time I'd like to think we now have quite a distinct sound but without doubt I think our humorous side first time round held us back outside the UK. I totally get that and I totally understand why, the UK thrash scene in general has always been viewed as being behind Germany and the US and I think that's fair, those scenes have done far more for thrash metal than the UK has in general.
The world is changing at lightning speed we have artificial intelligence, VR, and algorithms. Can you picture Acid Reign performing a concert as digital avatars in a virtual world, or is that completely at odds with your philosophy?
We're not KISS! We also don't have that kind of money, but after I'm dead and gone the music will still be here and if somebody ends up doing that I actually think that would be quite cool just not while I'm alive thank you.
Purely hypothetically: you meet a kid who has just bought his first guitar and wants to play thrash metal. What would you say to him what message would you offer as seasoned veterans of the scene?
Far be it from me to give advice to a guitarist, but if I were it would be to build up your right wrist, practise downstrokes every day. After that you're good to go.
And if you could put a single sentence or a piece of life wisdom on a giant billboard in the heart of London, what would it say?
Be self aware, be socially aware, be politically aware.
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