Band:	Sodom
Album:	'Til Death Do Us Unite
Style:	Teutonic thrash metal
Release date:	1997

01. Frozen Screams
02. Fuck The Police
03. Gisela
04. That's What An Unknown Killer Diarized
05. Hanging Judge
06. No Way Out
07. Polytoximaniac
08. 'Til Death Do Us Unite
09. Hazy Shade Of Winter [Paul Simon cover]
10. Suicidal Justice
11. Wander In The Valley
12. Sow The Seeds Of Discord
13. Master Of Disguise
14. Schwerter Zu Pflugscharen
15. Hey, Hey, Hey Rock 'N' Roll Star

Many metal bands are not afraid to get experimental, whether that is fusing two styles, progressing into another sub-genre, or even just trying another theme to stir up the pot a bit. The German thrashers Sodom certainly stirred up something in 1997.

It is safe to say that this Agent Orange sound of thrashy guitars with some punk rock riffs and blunt political statements is still present on 'Til Death Do Us Unite. Angelripper's voice is just as healthy and active, as are the notes, riffs, and beats of the guitars and other instruments. Though some may disagree, it is safe to say that in 1997 Sodom put out a respectable album. The head-banging tunes of "Frozen Screams", "Hanging Judge", "Now Way Out", and "That's What An Unknown Killer Diarized" are proof of this accomplishment.

But what makes 'Til Death Do Us Unite really stand out? Quite simple: its goofiness. Sodom added some humorous elements to their release, starting with the album cover itself. The two nudes whose bodies are quite fleshy and meaty, squeezing that skull between their bellies. How can one not chuckle at first? The songs "Fuck The Police", "Hey, Hey, Hey Rock 'N' Roll Star", and the Paul Simon cover "Hazy Shade Of Winter" express these comical elements of the album, but remain within well-balanced boundaries that don't detract from the CD's statements and credibility.

'Til Death Do Us Unite is very proportionate in delivering listeners inspiration to rebel, intellectual lyrics for pondering, reflection of what was going on at the time of its release, and a few sarcastic things to laugh about. Sodom indeed put out an album with lots to offer their fans and listeners. Though this may not be the strongest release of their time, and die-hard Sodom fans may not consider this album to be closest to their hearts, it's most definitely worth having.

Though clean production, the presence of Sodom's trademark sound, balance, and screams of insurrection have made this album worth having, what are its flaws? As much as the tracks are enjoyable and worthy in their own way, the album as whole does lack the feeling of completion. After "Suicidal Justice", the remaining five tracks play with continuous monotony. The final track leaves a few seconds of silence at the end that causes a split feeling: For one, there is the sense of enjoyment, but also the listener is left hanging, curious if those fifteen tracks are really all that there is to the album. Perhaps if this album had fewer songs and an instrumental, it may have felt more complete and less like a compilation.

To new fans and old ones, 'Til Death Do Us Unite is a slightly new perspective to the band. Consider it a classic, consider it a flaw, or consider it a mere Sodom album, it doesn't fail to get listeners to experience metal from its own personal lens. And after a few listens, one may discover the album's windfall that is, as Angelripper sang on the thirteenth track, "hidden deep inside".