Customer Reviews

Sodom

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

If you want a pure thrash album with no frills, be sure to pick this one up. Solid guitar playing and memorable hooks make this a great album.

Sodom have always been my favorite German thrash band. Over the years they have consistently put out great albums, although 'get what you deserve' was a pretty weak cd, all others have been solid. This band has been around for close to 25 years and are one of the few bands that have been around this long that still thrashes. Their last cd the amazing M-16 was so incredible I was skeptical that the band could top that. While this cd is excellent it does not quite reach the level of M-16, which would have been a huge feat in and of itself. Overall the musicanship has gotten better with this self-titled cd. The opening song 'blood on your lips' is midpaced, something us Sodom fans are not used to. I am used to a thrashy song from Sodom starting things off. However the change is not all that bad considering the song is excellent and catchy. Wanted Dead is the second track and like the other reviewer said this is one of the fastest tunes Sodom has ever done. The song rages through and through. Their are more mid-paced songs on this cd, than one would come to expect from Sodom, but there are still plenty of thrash tunes, as well. Their is also an emphasis on guitar soloing and the guitars are more pronounced than before. Angelripper's vocals still sound like shards of glass on your skin and this line-up crushes. They are tight and work well together. Anyway this is a more Mature sounding Sodom and an excellent follow-up to M-16. The cover on this cd also is brutal and the molten lava Sodom logo is really cool.

Before I begin, let me say that this album has the ugliest, most insipid art I've ever seen, and that's saying something in terms of thrash metal. Beyond the sleeve displayed on Amazon, it features a pseudo-CGI one-legged robot taken straight from Doom, standing over a Middle-Eastern man's head floating in a pool of blood. Classy.

Anyway, this is the 2006 release of veteran thrashers Sodom. Like peers Destruction, each song on this CD follows a simple formula: Some vacantly fast speed metal with a pinch of melody. Bernemann plays some pleasant leadwork, while Tom "Angelripper" unleashes vitriolic, if generic, screams. So what's the problem? We've all heard it a million times before. I mean, bands were evolving far beyond this niche in '93. I don't expect of want Sodom to "modernize" their sounds like Metallica or Slayer, I just think it's a pity to watch veterans stagnate by releasing the same album over and over. On the flip side though, this is not groove-infested melodeathized thrash that's so prominent nowadays.

Unfortunately, Sodom is the 8038912th band who feels their heavyhanded stance on current world issues is important enough to sing about. Sodom seems to stand on the Iced Earth/Megadeth end of the thrash spectrum, with songs about fighting for freedom and how the "Axis of Evil" must be stopped. Ugh. The lyrics in general are pretty vapid anyway. "We should be proud of our glory because of our past! The time is right to realize we'll[sic] standing to the last!" That's deep man.

If you want something new, move along, nothing to see here. If you want some no-frills thrash, pick this up now. But I got a better German thrash fix from Kreator's latest. This album will probably please you if you're a Sodom diehard, though,
- Thus says the Pellington

Sodom makes both Kreator and Slayer sound angelic, and even all three know how to rock. the first song starts off slow and then it hits you at full speed. like all thrash bands, Sodom hits you with the fury of a dozen linebackers. Sodom sounds like Slayer would if the latter band moved to Germany and one of the guys quit guitar. leaving one to do all the work. Angelripper has the voice reminiscent of Tom Araya.

Sodom returns after a years of hiautus with the most solid album in the last 6 years(maybe). The sound is characteristic of Sodom, pummeling drums, great guitar riffs and excellent vocals. So, if you're into thrash metal "a la" old school, then buy this!!! Also strong recommended the new album from Venom.

This album is good... It's got more of a Hard Rock/Metal feel than the all out assault of their previous albums, but it's good none the less. I got into this band from hearing "Better Off Dead" and since have purchased this album and 'Persecution Mania" which is amazingly good old school metal... Check this band out, they are badA$$!!!

This album shows Sodom have never slowed down or compromised their music. They still have the same amzing style, speed and anger they have always had. Truly excellent album from these true, pure, thrash legends.