SODOM

Reviewed:
- In the Sign of Evil/Obsessed by Cruelty (1984, EP/1986)
- Persecution Mania (1987)
- Tapping the Vein (1992)


IN THE SIGN OF EVIL (EP)/OBSESSED BY CRUELTY          1984/1986          (SPV)

- Standouts: 'Outbreak of Evil', 'Sepulchral Voice', 'Witching Metal', 'Deathlike Silence', 'Fall of Majesty Town', 'Nuctemeron', 'Witchhammer'

This packs both the 1984 EP In the Sign of Evil and the 1986 debut album Obsessed by Cruelty onto one CD.

If you're into old-school underground metal, then may find this collection interesting. Sodom are obviously one of Germany's best-known thrash metal exports, but during these early years, they're actually associated with the first wave of black metal more-so than thrash. The In the Sign of Evil EP may only consist of five tracks in total, but it's a great example of what black metal sounded like before the whole corpse paint, Norwegian-style tremolo-picked thing came about. You had guys like these, Venom, Bathory, Celtic Frost etc. playing speed metal with a much darker, evil and raw emphasis on the music (which often comes off as amusing actually, but awesome all the same). This EP is a classic thanks to great tracks like 'Outbreak of Evil', and 'Witching Metal'; I'll bet hardcore metalheads in '84 lapped this up. I did when I was still at school, and I wasn't even around in the 80's! It's a great slice of black metal history.

Obsessed by Cruelty on the other hand, is surprisingly sloppy and amateur by comparison. In the Sign of Evil wasn't a technical masterpiece by any means, but the band still sounded pretty tight for the most part, and considering Sodom had the same drummer (Witchhunter, RIP) from the very beginning until his death in 2008, the drums here sound much looser here and the guitars are buried in the mix. The drums overpower the entire recording in fact. Despite the shitty production, it's also part of Obsessed by Cruelty's charm - it just doesn't make much sense that they sounded more professional as a band in 1984 than they do in 1986. I will admit that I don't like how much the drums rule the production of the album, but these are still good songs from a time when extreme metal was becoming a bigger thing. I swear I remember trading something non-music related with my mate in my Sixth Form years to obtain this disc, but I don't remember what exactly it was I got rid of.
Adam's rating: 8/10 (In the Sign of Evil)
                           7.5/10 (Obsessed by Cruelty)

PERSECUTION MANIA          1987          (SPV)

- Standouts: 'Electrocution', 'Nuclear Winter', 'Iron Fist', 'Conjuration', 'Christ Passion', 'Bombenhagel', 'Persecution Mania' 

Sodom sound like the Sodom you know them as now. They weren't trying look as evil as possible anymore and instead started to write full-speed thrashers with militaristic themes. The riffs on this album are great; relentless throughout. They may not stand out as much as what the leaders of thrash movement like Metallica or Anthrax were playing, but they just keep on coming and kick your head in from start to finish. That's what Sodom's riffs are all about. The only thing that still sounds similar to the last two releases is the fact Tom kept the same vocal style even his lyrical subjects were completely different. The production is 10x better, much more biting and sharp, and the music barely slows down. There's even a cover of Motorhead's 'Iron Fist', transforming a kick-ass rock n' roller into a tight thrash monster. I like the original more, obviously, but they still do an admirable job of covering the track. Included in my copy is the Expurse of Sodomy EP (the last four tracks of the disc), but I couldn't be arsed to discuss it separately because they sound so similar to the actual Persecution Mania album that I actually forget they were originally released separately. In my head, this is a 13-track album!
Adam's rating: 8.7/10

TAPPING THE VEIN          1992          (SPV)

- Standouts: All of it! 

This CD popped up as one of those 'More items to consider' on Amazon a couple of years ago, so I clicked on it and saw a used copy going for £3.99. I don't think I've ever bought an album on impulse based on those recommendations before, but there you go. I'm glad I did, because when I did eventually give this thing a listen some months after purchase, I discovered that Tapping the Vein is a gem from the early 90's, when thrash metal had been taken out of the public eye thanks to grunge and alternative genres. Well, I say thrash, at times this thing borders on Possessed, early Death-style old-school death metal, especially with the title track and songs like 'Deadline', 'The Crippler' and 'Hunting Season'. 'Wachturm' is like a much more intense Motorhead with lyrics in German! Despite the crap album cover, this album is like Persecution Mania jacked up on 'roids! The production is great, Tom Angelripper's vocals are the most aggressive he's ever been, and there's so many riffs jammed down 'yer throat throughout the songs that ultimately, I think this is one of their best. It's always cool to find records like this that were recorded during a time when the scene was dead to many (it never was of course, it just wasn't what it was in the 80's). 
Adam's rating: 9/10