Sodom – In War and Pieces
Release Date: January 11, 2011
Highlights: In War and Pieces, Through The Toxic Veins, Storm Raging Up, The Art of Killing Poetry
I’m sitting here listening to German thrash metal band Sodom’s new album “In War and Pieces” and it’s fucking hard to believe that this is their 13th album. First off, I had never heard of them before this album and listening to this album I assumed they were a young band. To find out that they were a band with a 30 year career behind them, it blew my mind that they still possessed that hunger and energy of a band 1/3 their age. Formed in 1981 by bassist/vocalist Tom Angelripper, Sodom has seen a revolving door of musicians over the years with Tom maintaining his vision and focus to deliver one of my new favorite albums of 2011, “In War and Pieces.” “In War and Pieces” is a sonic juggernaut that exceeds all of my expectations of what a thrash metal album should sound like.
“In War and Pieces” opening title track starts out with a melodic acoustic based intro that steadily builds into a one of the most groove oriented heavy songs I’ve heard in some time. I love it when a band can groove as opposed to playing a million miles an hour all the time. This song had me nodding my head in time and grinning as I anticipated what was to come. “Through The Toxic Veins” opens very melodically with an intro that is a huge nod to Iron Maiden only to progress into a Merciful Fate like piece and then BAM! Double bass drums ripping your face off. “Storm Raging Up” is another favorite which yet again has some seriously face melting tempo changes and grooves that I can totally picture masses of people pogo jumping to. I can only begin to imagine how amazing a live Sodom show would be. Sodom really knows how to arrange a song so that each one is an experience, not just a song that is played and then ended. It’s a roller coaster of tempo changes and personality conflicts that makes for an exciting listening experience.
If I had to describe Sodom to someone who had never heard them, I would probably say, “Imagine if Slayer could actually play their instruments, play solos and groove.” The production on “In War and Pieces” is stellar and while it sounds top notch the band still manages to sound organic and not synthetic. Sodom’s performance on this album is outstanding and it’s no doubt that “In War and Pieces” just may be the album to win over a lot of new fans for Sodom. They are a classic band with a youthful energy that will undoubtedly connect with a whole new generation while still appeasing any and all long time fans of the band. “In War and Pieces” is a classic thrash album that will stand the test of time without a doubt. Hopefully Slayer will listen to this album and realize what they’re doing wrong.
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