If you’re into classic German thrash metal, you’re probably familiar with Sodom. The band was formed in 1982 and has maintained a high standard throughout most of its career. Although Tom Angelripper has changed band members several times in recent years, he’s managed to preserve Sodom’s distinctive sound — one that’s immediately recognisable.
On The Arsonist, the drums were recorded analog, which is rare these days — and you can hear it. The album has a very lively and natural sound. But production isn’t the most important thing — it’s the songs that matter. And once again, Sodom has delivered a strong batch of killer tracks.
In the late ’90s and early 2000s, with albums like Code Red and M-16, the band shifted direction slightly. That style continues to define their sound today: a bit more mid-tempo than their ‘80s releases, with added groove, heaviness, and variety. I’ve always liked this evolution in Sodom’s sound — M-16 remains one of my favourite albums by the band.
Whether The Arsonist will land on my all-time Sodom top list remains to be seen — especially since, if you count the re-recordings, this is actually their eighteenth album. But tracks like “Trigger Discipline,” “Witchhunter,” “Gun Without Groom,” and “Taphephobia” already stand out — and they groove hard.
Release June 27th, 2025 on Steamhammer.
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