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Sodom - Epitome Of Torture

Published May 06 2013


*
=Staff's pick

My Final Bullet
S.O.D.O.M.
Epitome Of Torture*
Stigmatized
CANNIBAL*
Shoot Today - Kill Tomorrow*
Invocating The Demons
Katjuschka
Into The Skies Of War*
Tracing The Victim


Genre Thrash Metal
Tom Angelripper
Vocals
Tracks 10
Bernemann
Guitar
Running time 40 Min.
-
Guitar
Label Steamhammer/SPV
Tom Angelripper
Bass
Release 26 April 2013
Makka
Drums
Country Germany
-
Keyboard
Producer Waldemar Sorychta
Similar artists Kreator, Destruction, Motörhead

The development of the thrash metal genre has taken rather curious turns of late. Whereas another young Antichrist, Nekromantheon, Gama Bomb and whatnot springs from holes in the ground all over the world to worship the furious gods of old, the gods themselves has in many cases gone sleek, uninspired or turned into power metal. Sodom though have always stuck with their angle on Teutonic thrash regardless of trends and their sound has progressed in a natural way ever since they jumped on the thrash metal wagon with 'Persecution Mania'.

Bearing that in mind, my initial reactions to opening track 'My Final Bullet' was a mixture of chock, awe and emptiness. What came out of the speakers was an anthemic overblown melodic piece placed somewhere between Blind Guardian and Kreator's latest slip. What, the hell was that?! Had Sodom given up all of their values and jumped on the 'accessibility will finally get my bills paid'-wagon? I nearly turned the entire album off and resigned as a reviewer for good. Luckily, I gathered some courage and carried on. I sure am glad I did, because the rest of the album is good ol' Sodom in their best shape since the 80's.

'Epitome of Torture' (another 'something' of 'something' album title) firmly relies on the classic punk/Motorhead-influenced furious thrash metal we all love so much. Songs like 'CANNIBAL' and 'Stigmatized' could very well have been written around the time of 'Agent Orange' and 'Better Off Dead'. Overall, this is Sodom in their more melodic mood, continuing the path set with 'M-16', but apart from the opening track the intensity and ferocity never gives in for the melodies. This is simply a brilliant example of how extreme music can be melodic and still remain extreme. Somewhat unfortunately, the production is rather polished and neat and don't make the intensity of the music justice.

Quite different from the efforts of past is Tom's vocals. This time around they are more pronounced than ever and the deep almost growling base of old only ever appears in 'Stigmatized'. I really don't find myself having any issues with this but some fans will for sure. On a trivia note, the intro to 'Katjuschka' is the melody of Swedish student song 'Little Ollie', which sure made me smile upon first listen.

This is arguably Sodom's best piece since 'Agent Orange' in fierce competition with the exceptional 'M-16'. Although suffering from a rather poor production and an unpleasant opening track, this gem simply is a must have for everyone who confess to being even the most slightly into thrash metal!

See also review of: Decision Day , Sodom , One Night In Bangkok

Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

8

7

5

7

9

 
Summary



8,5 chalices of 10 - Tengan


Related links:

www.sodomized.info
www.myspace.com/sodom
www.facebook.com/sodomized