Bombs, a ballad, and Herr Angelripper.
To complete the unholy trinity of Teutonic thrash—alongside Kreator and Destruction—there’s one last name to shout into the void: Sodom.
Founded in 1981 in Gelsenkirchen by Thomas "Tom Angelripper" Such, Sodom has survived decades of chaos and a revolving door of members. Through it all, Angelripper has remained the sole constant—and frankly, if anyone’s earned a name like that, it’s him.
And the rest of the band? They weren’t exactly subtle either. Over the years, Sodom’s lineup has included such gems as Chris Witchhunter, Grave Violator, Aggressor, Destructor, Atomic Steiff, Bloody Monster, and Blasphemer.
They say these names with such unflinching sincerity, too. I can’t hear "Herr Angelripper und Herr Witchhunter" without cackling. And yet, somehow, it works. Because Sodom has always been half mayhem, half myth.
Documentaries, Bad Hair, and Surprisingly Likeable Demons
If you want to get a better feel for Sodom's early days, the documentaries Lords of Depravity Part I and II are up on YouTube. They’re long, yes, but surprisingly watchable—packed with vintage footage, bad hair, and the kind of scene chaos you can’t fake.
Also? Tom Angelripper comes across as absurdly likeable. For a guy named after a demonic act of anatomical violence, he’s weirdly grounded. Just a man with a bass, a snarl, and no patience for nonsense.
Thrash with a Side of Black Metal and Bunker Humour
Sodom started as a black metal band heavily inspired by Venom—grimy, chaotic, and loud enough to wake the dead. But with their second album Persecution Mania (1987), they leaned hard into thrash. Agent Orange (1989) was their third album and the one that finally broke through:
- First thrash album to chart in Germany (No. 36).
- Over 100,000 copies sold.
- An actual commercial success. Somehow.
Naturally, this seemed like the perfect place for me to start.
First Impressions: Meh. Fourth Listen? Obsession.
I’ve listened to Agent Orange several times now, and I’ll be honest: the first three were underwhelming. Nothing clicked. But then, slowly, it crept in. One riff here, one war cry there, and suddenly it had latched on. It’s not a flashy album. It’s not trying to impress you. But it does grind its way into your skull like a tank over barbed wire.
Line-up at the time:
- Tom Angelripper – vocals & bass
- Chris Witchhunter – drums
- Frank Blackfire – guitar (left to join Kreator, rejoined Sodom in 2018)
Thrash, But With Breathing Room
Unlike Destruction’s The Antichrist, this album actually gives you space to survive. The pacing varies. Speed ramps up, backs off, then pummels again.
It’s still thrash, but there’s shape and texture here. The aggression isn’t just forward momentum—it’s strategic.
Tired and Red – The Acoustic Curveball
Let’s talk about Tired and Red. The acoustic interlude in this track has divided the fanbase like a political referendum. Some hate it. I don’t.
It’s clean, atmospheric, and when the drums come back in, it moves. The solo’s spot on. Sure, it’s a tonal detour—but it works. If anything, it makes the rest of the song hit harder.
Remember the Fallen – Slower, Surer, Still Unsettling
Remember the Fallen dials things back without losing its edge. It’s slower than the rest, more deliberate, and actually gives the album some breathing room.
The vocals are clearer, the chorus sticks, and there’s a sense of grim focus that makes it stand out. There’s even a faint whiff of Bathory’s Hammerheart era in the way it leans into pacing and atmosphere—without going Viking.
And yes, there’s still some proper pummelling in the middle.
Agent Orange and Ausgebombt – Sodom’s War Anthems
The opening title track Agent Orange is a fan favourite for a reason. Great riffs, tempo shifts, and that chorus snarl? Peak Sodom. It’s surprisingly complex but never confusing. Everything lands.
Then there’s Ausgebombt—the opposite. A hardcore-punk banger clocking in at three minutes with a chorus that’s literally just "AUSGEBOMBT" screamed repeatedly. You’ll be shouting it in the shower. Or the supermarket.
A Classic for a Reason (Even If It Took Me a While)
Agent Orange didn’t grab me instantly. But the more I listened, the more I appreciated its balance of brutality and structure.
It’s not as sharp or intricate as Kreator. It’s not trying to reinvent anything. But it doesn’t have to. It’s gritty, unapologetic, and honestly? A solid milestone in the timeline of thrash metal.
If you can get on board with Sodom’s rough, war-snarling sound, there’s a lot to love here.