A Yorkshire Thrash Metal band blessed with a rather over the top sense of humour. ACID REIGN, pitching in with the British Thrash wave, was created in Harrogate during 1985 by frontman H (Howard Smith) and guitarist Gaz Jennings who recruited drummer Mark Ramsey Wharton and bassist Ian Gangwer. Their first recording was the 'Moshkinstein' demo, which was laid down before the group had taken the decision on bringing in Kev on second guitar. This demo secured them management with LITTLE ANGELS guiding force Kev Nixon and a record deal with Under One Flag, a subsidiary of Music For Nations.

After releasing the 1988 'Moshkinstein' mini-album ACID REIGN supported FLOTSAM AND JETSAM at London's Astoria, although a subsequent European tour was put in jeopardy when Gangwer was unable to travel due to insufficient documentation. Macc, a scene veteran of EXXPLODER, PHANTOM and HOLOSADE, filled in on bass in the interim.

In late 1988, after issue of 'The Fear' album, the band underwent a line-up change, with both Jennings and Gangwer leaving. Gangwer's departure enabled temporary bassist Macc to join the band on a permanent basis whilst Jennings place was taken by former LORD CRUCIFER guitarist Adam Lehan. Another prominent release, the 10" 'Humanoia' EP, sporting three live tracks, mimicked the ANTHRAX "Apple-core" humour.

With the Trash scene faltering in the UK, ACID REIGN, like so many of their ilk, resorted to a cover version and issued a December 1989 single of 'Hangin' On The Telephone', made famous by BLONDIE. A live version of 'Blind Aggression', recorded at the London Astoria, featured on the 'Kerrang!' magazine 'Plastic Explosive' flexidisc covermount. Second album 'Obnoxious', alarmingly eschewing traditional Metal visuals in favour of a shocking charise pink sleeve, ensued but this was not enough to save them and, sadly, ACID REIGN split in mid 1991 citing the flagging fortunes of the British Thrash scene as the main reason. Vocalist H formed short-lived outfits STRANGE THING then DULLABYE prior to setting himself up in a new career as a stand up comedian.

Lehan formed BITTER AND TWISTED with ex-DEADLINE and SLAMMER bass player Russell Bertram. Jennings, Lehan and Ramsey Wharton all joined Doom outfit CATHEDRAL. Unsurprisingly, Kev teamed up with Nottingham Spoof Thrashers LAWNMOWER DETH, re-billed "Baron Kev Von Thresh Meister Silo Stench Chisel Marbles".