The Final Sign Of Evil

Sodom | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 9, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Steamhammer US
• ASIN: B000U9XG1G
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #178,754 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The re-energized German thrash progenitors of Sodom have returned with an album of absolute mandatory heavy metal. ''Final Sign Of Evil'' features re-recordings of the material from their classic first EP, ''In the Sign of Evil'', plus seven bonus tracks, all of which were originally written during the ''In the Sign of Evil'' era or earlier but were never officially released. As a special bonus, the album features return appearances by the group's original drummer Chris Dudek (a.k.a. Witchhunter) and guitarist Josef ''Peppi'' Dominic (a.k.a. Grave Violator), both of whom were band members on the original 1984 EP.

YEAR: 2007

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Unabridged Sign of Evil, October 13, 2007

By 

B. Fanciulli (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Final Sign Of Evil (Audio CD)

Released as a five song EP in 1984, the classic "In the Sign of Evil" inspired thousands of thrash and death metal bands. The original was extremely well produced for a metal debut back then. It featured some of the most insane and unique drumming of any metal band to date. Why re-record it? Certainly, the poorly produced follow-up "Obsessed by Cruelty" (1986) is much more in need of a face-lift.

As the story from the high quality, full color booklet CD sleeve goes, Sodom had self-recorded 12 songs in very poor quality prior to receiving their first record deal. The label, not willing to commit the studio time needed to record a full album, only allowed the band to professionally record the five songs. So, after 23 years and 14 excellent albums, vocalist/bassist Angelripper (the only original member still in the band) hit the studio with band mates from the original recording, Witchhunter and Grave Violator, to re-record the full album as it should have been. Hence, the title: "The Final Sign of Evil."

Regarding the previously unreleased tracks, I would argue that the label knew what they were doing. While interesting for historical purposes, the additional seven songs are long, slow, dragging dirges; each about five minutes where the original five average about three minutes each and twice the tempo. After several times through, you will likely find yourself skipping these.

The tracks that originally appeared on the EP are what make this worth hearing. The re-recordings are close to, but not better than the originals. After suffering through the first track, "The Sin of Sodom," the familiar "Blasphemer" is a welcome spine-tingler and the pinnacle of this album. Witchhunter's trademark galloping double bass furiously shreads through the wall of guitars.

"The Final Sign of Evil" has a live feel to it; there probably wasn't much practice leading up to it. The instruments are often slightly uncoordinated, and drumbeats awkwardly speed up and slow down. From the sounds of it, Witchhunter probably hasn't touched the drums since leaving Sodom in 1992 after his crushing performance on "Tapping the Vein." Aside from the modern production, it is probably much as it might have been 23 years ago; a neat gift for collectors and Sodom enthusiasts. Now, PLEASE re-record "Obsessed by Cruelty!"