SODOM „“The Final Sign of Evil””

Music: thrash
Country: Germany
Web site: www.sodomized.info
Cool Songs: Bloody Corpse, Witching Metal, Defloration, Outbreak of Evil

1984 was a monumental year in heavy metal. It was a defining year for both speed and black metal. Albums such as BATHORYs self-titled debut full-length and DESTRUCTION’s “Sentence of Death” looked to VENOM—the band that invented the term black metal—for inspiration in style and dark concepts. Along with CELTIC FROST who released the “Morbid Tales” E.P., these albums marked a new era in satanic heavy metal. Combining elements of thrash and speed metal, the above albums emulated Venom in speed, aggression, and pure darkness. Those albums inspired future generations of black metal and death metal in the creation of their respective styles.

Although bands like the above never propagated thrash like METALLICA and ANTHRAX, they were still highly influential in the global thrash scene. Cut from the same Germanic streets as DESTRUCTION’s “Sentenced of Death,” Sodom’s “In the Sign of Evil” E.P. was of equal importance. Twenty-three years later, the same lineup on “In the Sign of Evil” has returned to re-record this classic album. The album has been re-recorded, but it retains an older sound. The unholy trio also added bonus material of unreleased songs from the “In the Sign” recording session.

The bonus tracks are in line with the sound of all the songs they included on “In the Sign of Evil.” The album begins with one of these bonus tracks, “The Sin of Sodom.” Tom Angelripper’s vocals echo the song title until the phrase warps into demonic form. Although the track and most of the album samples elements from NWOBH, particularly VENOM, Angelripper’s vocals are much harsher, like an early incarnation of the scratchy black metal voice of later Scandinavian black metal acts. The riff on the said track alternates between a mid-paced, muffled death metal-type riff and a classic gallop.

“Blasphemer,” which was included on the “In the Sign of Evil” album, takes another step towards hell. Like early BATHORY, the drums pound hard and incessantly. “Bloody Corpse” (another bonus track) features dangerous speed for that era, many catchy, vintage metal rhythms and inhuman vocals. The chorus line is one of the more memorable vocal lines throughout the album.

“The Final Sign of Evil” shows interesting developments. It contains many elements of metal styles that weren’t really established at the time such as thrash and black metal (black metal was known, but it was much different from the style of today). Although the album was of such a sordid, dark nature and exceptionally fast for its time, it still had hooks, something many of the modern black metal bands forsook. Another technique this album showed that is unique to classic metal is singing songs with the band name in the lyrics. Two examples come in “The Sin of Sodom” and “Witching Metal.” “Witching Metal” is a sort of ode to VENOM’s “Witching Hour,” with a similar unbridled energy, but SODOM makes it clear this is their song when Angelripper growls “SODOM” after every line in the chorus.

“The Final Sign of Evil” is an obligatory release for all fans of German thrash and early black metal. Here you will get some wick cover art, previously unheard tracks, and a new recording. I’ve listened to “Agent Orange,” “Code Red” and “Persecution Mania,” but this is my first time hearing this album. For those like me who weren’t a part of the scene when “In the Sign of Evil” originally came out, it’s awesome to be able to hear this classic album!

note: 8/10

Tracklist

1. The Sin of Sodom (Bonus Track)
2. Blasphemer
3. Bloody Corpse (Bonus Track)
4. Witching Metal
5. Sons of Hell (Bonus Track)
6. Burst Command 'til War
7. Where Angels Die (Bonus Track)
8. Sepulchral Voice
9. Hatred of the Gods (Bonus Track)
10. Ashes to Ashes (Bonus Track)
11. Outbreak of Evil
12. Defloration (Bonus Track)

Line-up

Tom Angelripper-Vocals/Bass
Grave Violator-Guitars
Chris Witchhunter-Drums