Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Safe yet satisfying, May 12, 2006
Sodom have more than their fair share of competition nowadays. With thrashers like Demiricous, Sadus, Sepultura, and Hurtlocker releasing new albums, and with Venom and Celtic Frost (two other bands from the Eighties) making big comebacks in 2006, Sodom's attention has been somewhat limited. And, unfortunately for them, it gets worse: bands like Slayer, Megadeth, The Haunted, and Testament are also expected to release new discs later this year. Plus, 2005's speed metal bands (Exodus, Nevermore, etc.)--and all of the modern thrash/thrashcore bands flooding the market today (i.e. Trivium, Shadows Fall, etc.)--also pose as a potential threat to Sodom's record sales. And, lastly, being a thrash band from Germany doesn't help one's case much, either, as there is plenty competition among those, too. Indeed, with Deutschland turning out more than a few key artists over the years (consider Kreator, Destruction, Reflection, Dead Emotions, Exhumer, Respawn, and Dew Scented), it seems that country is the equivalent of America's Bay Area.
On their umpteenth, self-titled 2006 album, Sodom play it pretty safe. They stick close to home, and stick to what they know best: making a fast, surprise free, frills free, raw riff-a-rama which is beefed up with ferocious guitar leads and surprisingly technical solos, and is coupled with Angelripper's screamed vocals. On this disc's best tracks, like the relentless "Lords Of Depravity," the blindingly fast rhythms and scorching guitars are augmented by bottom heavy double bass drumming. Meanwhile Angelripper, who is the only remaining member of the band's original line-up, sounds along the lines of a high pitched Tom Araya. And when he is bellowing about a "war machine" in "Lay Down The Law" (or yelling "The enemy inside!" in the album closer), Angel even sounds like he could have been a substitute vocalist for Araya on Slayer's 2001 "God Hates Us All" disc.
The first song, "Blood On Your Lips," is another high point of the album. It begins with some Spanish-sounding guitar noodling before segueing into a fiery, churning, bulldozing guitar lead. Other highlights include the surging buzzsaw rhythms and long guitar solos on "Wanted Dead" and "Bibles And Guns," "Buried In The Justice Ground," which is a catchy, moderately fast chugger with a wailing/ascending solo, and the very old-school Slayer-esque "Nothing To Regret."
This is probably not the best thrash metal record to be released this year, or even the best one to be released so far this year; but it still makes for quite an intense, satisfying listen. So, even though there may be plenty of bands for you to spend your money on, don't forget about Sodom if you're a thrash diehard. And if you're looking for super fast and aggressive metal which gets your blood pumping, this might be one of your best bets in 2006.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sodom continues to amaze, May 12, 2006
One would think that, after more than two decades as one of the greatest pure thrash metal bands of all time, Sodom might be ready to slow down. Think again!
Following on the success of "M-16" and the remarkable "Live In Bangkok," Sodom is back with another load of bricks. Tom Angelripper and company know only one mode, and that is fast and heavy. Angelripper's voice sounds better than ever. His bandmates simply crush steel beside him.
Sodom does not do "mall metal" or "nu-metal." This is real, thunderous, uncompromising HEAVY METAL! The way it should be.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pure, direct and full of energy, May 9, 2006
It's been five years since German thrashers Sodom released their previous album M-16, and while they did release a live album and DVD in between, this eponymous release sees the trio at their most consistent and perhaps strongest phase. The Angelripper, Bernemann and Schottkowksi trio is the most consistent Sodom lineup since they've been together for over 10 years now, and this has certainly reflected on their new album.
The most noticeable aspect of their new platter is the powerful guitar tone with remarkably improved soloing and melodic content. Produced by former Sodom axeman Andy Brings, the trio opt for a more guitar-heavy release, utilising Angelripper's trademark bass sound as a second guitar to generate a thicker and fuller rhythmic bottom. While this may turn some people off, Bernemann's guitar work should impress quite a few fans. One thing Sodom has always been criticised for was their guitar work, which, some felt, was lacking in their previous releases. This disc more than makes up for it, considering the diverse playing on "Blood on Your Lips", starting with ominous acoustic guitars before launching into a full thrash assault, backed up by a toxic vocal performance, and a great drum attack during the relatively calmer middle section. Though there aren't as many rhythm changes here as on some other pieces, this is one of the best songs on the album. Even Tom Angelripper went out of his way to try something different, using his deep whispered narrations, which you can also hear on "Axis of Evil", whose title was inspired by a quote by George W. Bush. Both of these songs have solemn acoustic breaks and moodier passages compared to much of Sodom's back catalog that may please or anger their fanbase.
Those anticipating a retun-to-form album should look into the shorter cuts, "Lords of Depravity" and "Nothing to Regret". Marked by all the classic Sodom traits, they are pure, direct, and full of energy, but perhaps a bit stale compared to the more driven and surging pieces on this disc. One of them is "Wanted Dead", packed with hundreds of riffs flying around and coming at you from all directions. The song is easily the fastest track Sodom have penned in a long time and it contains a furious guitar solo.
In addition, some of the best guitar playing can be heard on the simple and catchy track "Buried in the Justice Ground", clearly influenced by both Motorhead and Venom, where Bernemann plays one of his most melodic lead solos in a long time and Angelripper's vocals are multiplied into several harmonies. "Bibles and Guns" is almost proto-thrash or perhaps post-punk save for its updated sound. The main guitar riff on "No Captures" is amazing while the solo is gripping and melodically challenging as it is borders on Eyptian scales, one more novelty by Bernemann. Bobby Schottkowski's drumming is typical Sodom, always fast and hard-hitting. The cymbal work on the atmospheric "The Enemy Inside", littered with cold bass and mathematical guitar riffage, makes for one of the best Sodom cuts in years. "Lay Down the Law" is also a standout for Angelripper's killer bass solo and its brutal expression.
As you might guess, this is a good Sodom album and won't disappoint you unless you are still anticipating sequels to Better Off Dead or Tapping the Vein. Years have passed and a lot has changed over the years. So have the guys in Sodom. We should be thankful to them for still making music.
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