Just finished listening to this, and am amazed at how melodic it is! Without question, it is the most melodic album Sodom have done, a bit like modern Kreator in places, though this album is waaay better than Kreator's last. The more melodic slant is best illustrated on "The Art Of Killing Poetry", which is a stunning track, although I have to pinch myself that it is Sodom playing it! Only Tom Angelripper's vocals let you know that it is indeed Sodom. lol

A couple of the songs mix up the melodic and mid-paced with scorching German thrash, the simmering (and great) "Nothing Counts More Than Blood", and the aptly titled (and possible album highlight) "Storm Raging Up" contain some great thrashing moments, in with the mid-paced riffage and melody. And I guess it's only fitting that the track named "Knarrenheinz" is a faceripping old school Sodom thrasher, very fitting for the classic gas-masked mascot! \m/

The last track "Styptic Parasite" is another awesome one. Very melodic in places, but captivating too. There are a couple of dull fillers which stain the album a bit, but overall, this is a very adventurous Sodom album, which they mostly pull off in fine style.

This has been a fantastic year for great thrash albums released by the old guard! xD

Ooh - i want it.

Written by Zergaloth on 20.11.2010 at 12:16

Ooh - i want it.

And so you should!

Despite everything I said in my post, there is enough thrash on it to keep most Sodom fans happy, Im guessing. It just has more melody mixed in with it than ever before. lol xD

Havent listened sodom much yet, but yeah its all good. And this album to me is very good. God Bless you is one of my favourites from this one

Juat heard this and Sodom did a really solid album! I like the melodics in here a bunch and honestly this is still totally "Sodom". I've been into this band since I was 16 and honestly this may be one of my fav albums from them.

Indeed it is totally sodom and it is also totally what a sodom fan could ask for

Written by Ph0eNiX on 20.11.2010 at 23:52

Juat heard this and Sodom did a really solid album! I like the melodics in here a bunch and honestly this is still totally "Sodom". I've been into this band since I was 16 and honestly this may be one of my fav albums from them.

It is totally Sodom, but its still the most melodic thing they've ever put out. "Buried In The Justice Ground" from the last album was incredibly melodic, and very different for Sodom, but they made it work, and it's one of my fave tracks from that album. Its just that on this album, its like they've spread the melody out so that it's in most of the tracks. Instead of an isolated one. And I would say this is one of the better Sodom albums. Its still very much thrash, but also pretty diverse. Which is unique for them! xD

Written by Angelic Storm on 21.11.2010 at 23:07

Written by Ph0eNiX on 20.11.2010 at 23:52

Juat heard this and Sodom did a really solid album! I like the melodics in here a bunch and honestly this is still totally "Sodom". I've been into this band since I was 16 and honestly this may be one of my fav albums from them.

It is totally Sodom, but its still the most melodic thing they've ever put out. "Buried In The Justice Ground" from the last album was incredibly melodic, and very different for Sodom, but they made it work, and it's one of my fave tracks from that album. Its just that on this album, its like they've spread the melody out so that it's in most of the tracks. Instead of an isolated one. And I would say this is one of the better Sodom albums. Its still very much thrash, but also pretty diverse. Which is unique for them! xD

It just feels crafter with "more light to the writing". For most of Sodom's albums you see a general layout of straight on riff and in your face-a-tude. They're straight up and pretty "Full of force" for just about everything they write. I actually listened to a few of the sodom albums and this feels like part of a sound that they had coming out of them for a while. They just progressed it beautifully. Like if you listen to code red, Sodom's self titled, and get what you deserve it's like it really was starting there and just progressed to this album nicely. They way they brought it together for this album is just superb and they put their level up a notch for it.

Written by Ph0eNiX on 22.11.2010 at 08:24
It just feels crafter with "more light to the writing". For most of Sodom's albums you see a general layout of straight on riff and in your face-a-tude. They're straight up and pretty "Full of force" for just about everything they write. I actually listened to a few of the sodom albums and this feels like part of a sound that they had coming out of them for a while. They just progressed it beautifully. Like if you listen to code red, Sodom's self titled, and get what you deserve it's like it really was starting there and just progressed to this album nicely. They way they brought it together for this album is just superb and they put their level up a notch for it.

Yep, I guess thats what I meant when I said the album was different for Sodom. They've always been a straight-up, no frills band, as you say. I cant say I saw any progression to this sound from "Code Red". Which was totally an in your face thrash album, with an old school sound and production. "Get What You Deserve", was certainly for the most part lighter than their earlier stuff, but that had more of a Motorhead-ish, and at times, punky feel to it. The last album (self titled) was definitely the first real indicator of them leaning towards a more melodic thrash sound. Even if only ...Justice Ground was the only song to fully hint at it. And "Napalm In The Morning" (from M16) had a pretty melodic intro too. Even if once the song kicks in, it becomes typical Sodom. There certainly have been hints at it on earlier albums, but I was taken aback the first time I heard it with how melodic the overall album is. Most of the songs thrash to a certain extent, and two songs are straight from the old school template of writing for Sodom. ("Hellfire" and "Knarrenheinz")

What I really like about the new album, is it stays true to their roots, while showing a real progression in their sound, and more depth to the songwriting. Its like Sodom have simply added more explosive weapons to their arsenal, which can only be a good thing! xD

Listened to it the first time today. Some of the riffs there are really melodic indeed, but in a good way (=

Not very familiar with their earlier material, so I cannot compare...

Why do I have to wait til January before I can get this

Written by Angelic Storm on 19.11.2010 at 12:36

Just finished listening to this, and am amazed at how melodic it is! Without question, it is the most melodic album Sodom have done, a bit like modern Kreator in places, though this album is waaay better than Kreator's last. The more melodic slant is best illustrated on "The Art Of Killing Poetry", which is a stunning track, although I have to pinch myself that it is Sodom playing it! Only Tom Angelripper's vocals let you know that it is indeed Sodom. lol

A couple of the songs mix up the melodic and mid-paced with scorching German thrash, the simmering (and great) "Nothing Counts More Than Blood", and the aptly titled (and possible album highlight) "Storm Raging Up" contain some great thrashing moments, in with the mid-paced riffage and melody. And I guess it's only fitting that the track named "Knarrenheinz" is a faceripping old school Sodom thrasher, very fitting for the classic gas-masked mascot! \m/

The last track "Styptic Parasite" is another awesome one. Very melodic in places, but captivating too. There are a couple of dull fillers which stain the album a bit, but overall, this is a very adventurous Sodom album, which they mostly pull off in fine style.

This has been a fantastic year for great thrash albums released by the old guard! xD

I think the opening riff of "Soul Contraband" is orgasmic!

Written by Hermann Langke on 23.11.2010 at 13:36
I think the opening riff of "Soul Contraband" is orgasmic!

Its okay I guess, but its not one of my fave parts of the album. I prefer the bridge section of that song to the opening riff... lol I was listening to the album on my ipod yesterday, and found myself singing along with most of it. Which is always the sign of great songs.

On the whole proper album, though already it is not that old SODOM, but quite me lovely surprised.

Written by Angelic Storm on 24.11.2010 at 11:12

Written by Hermann Langke on 23.11.2010 at 13:36
I think the opening riff of "Soul Contraband" is orgasmic!

Its okay I guess, but its not one of my fave parts of the album. I prefer the bridge section of that song to the opening riff... lol I was listening to the album on my ipod yesterday, and found myself singing along with most of it. Which is always the sign of great songs.

"Knarrenheinz" is my best here!

The opening riff from "through toxic veins" sounds dead on like a riff from another song whose name i can't remember presently. when i find it i'll reedit this.

MEZARKABUL! the last song on their "Unspoken" disc, "For Those Who Died Alone". SHABANGABANG.

Written by Hermann Langke on 25.11.2010 at 15:26
"Knarrenheinz" is my best here!

It sure is a beast of a song! xD

This is a very good album "Through Toxic Veins" is the highlight for me

Written by Angelic Storm on 27.11.2010 at 06:28

Written by Hermann Langke on 25.11.2010 at 15:26
"Knarrenheinz" is my best here!

It sure is a beast of a song! xD

Do you have the accompanying Wacken CD, which appeared as a bonus? And if you do, go for "Abuse".

Musicianship: 8
Vocal: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Melody: 7
Originality: 8
Production: 9
CD Covers: 9

Best Songs:
03. Through Toxic Veins
08. God Bless You
11. Styptic Parasite

Interesting Comments:
Angelic Storm

This sure is a sweetass album! Love Through Toxic Veins, The Art of Killing Poetry and Knarrenheinz the best, but It's always a good sign when an album comes along and within a week you know the riffs out of yer head.

Written by Kwis on 09.01.2011 at 10:49

This sure is a sweetass album! Love Through Toxic Veins, The Art of Killing Poetry and Knarrenheinz the best, but It's always a good sign when an album comes along and within a week you know the riffs out of yer head.

Most of the riffs and songs are very memorable and catchy. Its definitely one of the album's greatest strengths. My 3 fave songs are probably "Storm Raging Up", "Knarrenheinz" and "The Art Of Killing Poetry".

Written by Hermann Langke on 30.11.2010 at 15:41

Do you have the accompanying Wacken CD, which appeared as a bonus? And if you do, go for "Abuse".

That extra CD is a real gem. Makes the overall package so great. Very good performances of all the live songs plus it has Christ Passion, City of God, Sodomoy and Lust, Abuse, lots of great songs.

There are times when I do not feel the essence of the band, maybe because is more melodic than every album they have done before

..indeed more melodic than the previous albums but still.. its SODOM baby!!! \m/

Written by Angelic Storm on 19.11.2010 at 12:36

Just finished listening to this, and am amazed at how melodic it is! Without question, it is the most melodic album Sodom have done, a bit like modern Kreator in places, though this album is waaay better than Kreator's last. The more melodic slant is best illustrated on "The Art Of Killing Poetry", which is a stunning track, although I have to pinch myself that it is Sodom playing it! Only Tom Angelripper's vocals let you know that it is indeed Sodom. lol

A couple of the songs mix up the melodic and mid-paced with scorching German thrash, the simmering (and great) "Nothing Counts More Than Blood", and the aptly titled (and possible album highlight) "Storm Raging Up" contain some great thrashing moments, in with the mid-paced riffage and melody. And I guess it's only fitting that the track named "Knarrenheinz" is a faceripping old school Sodom thrasher, very fitting for the classic gas-masked mascot! \m/

The last track "Styptic Parasite" is another awesome one. Very melodic in places, but captivating too. There are a couple of dull fillers which stain the album a bit, but overall, this is a very adventurous Sodom album, which they mostly pull off in fine style.

This has been a fantastic year for great thrash albums released by the old guard! xD

Wich songs you think are bad?

Absolute kickass album, really consistent effort so it's hard for me to pick a favourite but I think it might be The Art of Killing Poetry.