SPV – Release Date 29/4/2013.

Coming up with a decent introduction to a new Sodom album has always been a difficult task for me. I mean, what is there to say that hasn’t already been stated about Tom Angelripper and his band – a band which, throughout its thirty two years, has created many classics, has helped shape a scene and has influenced myriads of bands whose range varies from classic 80s Thrash to extreme Death and Black Metal?

Maybe perhaps the fact that Gelsenkirchen’s finest are not the kind of band which chooses to rest in their laurels but rather aim towards new goals and achievements with every new release. As a long term fan, this is exactly what I am reminded of every time I listen to the ten compositions that are “Epitome Of Torture” – the band’s fourteenth studio album.

It may be true that, especially in the mid 90s, these merchants of Teutonic Metal have found themselves indulging in styles and sounds that are not very compatible with what one would consider “classic” Thrash Metal, but the addition of guitarist Bernd “Bernemann” Kost to the band’s line up back in 1996 resulted in a series of albums that were closer to the spirit of the band’s classic era.

Though following the same ‘trend’, “Epitome Of Torture” is the kind of album that holds quite a few pleasant surprises both in terms of the guitar work and the vocal performances on offer and thus stands out as an album of individual character rather than just another product of an already tried and tested formula. The olds school fans will get their fair share of solid, head banging riffs while the younger ones will enjoy a variety of vocal performances, flamboyant solos and harmonic leads of the highest quality.

The album kicks off in a truly inspired fashion as the opening harmonies of “My Final Bullet” are of the highest quality and together with its massive up-tempo riff and Blind Guardian-esque lead guitar melodies, they elevate the composition to unimaginable heights.

Much simpler and straight-forward in its appeal, “S.O.D.O.M.” nevertheless incorporates some skilful lead guitar work while the same-titled “Epitome Of Torture” features some massive mid-tempo head banging riffs and more sing-along tunes. If you like your Thrash to be fast and furious then you should definitely check out the old-school belter “Stigmatized” – a song which finds Herr Angelripper showing off some fitting growls.

Closer to the spirit of 2001’s “M16”, “Cannibal” will bring much joy to the groove-lovers amongst you while both “Shoot Today Kill Tomorrow” and “Invokating The Demon” have bombastic drums as integral to the composition. A touch of the ‘exotic’ and perhaps also the humorous comes in the shape  of “Katjuschka”, a song whose opening them is based on the well-known wartime Russian classic love song while “Into The Skies Of War” wins the title of the stand out track of the album as a result of the amazing main guitar melody provided by Bernemann.

How does one end such an impressive album? With “Tracing The Victim” – another five minute belter filled with bombastic drums and skull-crushing riffs: those that made Sodom famous around the world back in the mid 80s and which continue to keep them relevant thirty two years later!

Back in the early 80s, three young lads from an industrial city in North Rhine-Westphalia formed a band, not so much with the hope of one day conquering the world and becoming Rock stars, but rather as a means to mentally escape the hardships of their daily lives.

It is perhaps due to this ‘down to earth’ approach, still evident in the band’s work and attitude to this day, that an album such as “Epitome Of Torture” sounds so fresh and relevant – an album that gets better with every new spin. Here’s to many more years of top quality Thrash Metal…and if anyone can lead such a quest that will almost certainly be Sodom!

John Stefanis

Rating: ****1/2 (4.5/5.0)

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
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