Since 1981, Sodom has been putting out metal for the public ear even though they began as a black metal outfit, they seem more settled and precision oriented playing thrash more than anything. This album is decent, but it lacks a lot of aggression that were featured in their previous efforts, especially their classic 'Agent Orange' (1989). I did like this album a lot on my initial listen to, but as I listened to it with repeated spins, I'd say that it's just average thrash metal. I do like the vocals the most, they resemble Schmier's from Destruction, which as is a known both are from Germany.

The music wasn't very interesting in their outputs, it just seemed as though riffs were put together and not really well thought out or catchy. They fit the vocals pretty well, but they just lacked innovation. Bar chord frenzies with occasional tremolo picked licks that weren't too stimulating to listen to. Good crunch tone on the distortion, just nothing really seemed to stick. It seemed like they just borrowed a lot of riffs from Destruction to be honest. Like I said, same with the vocals. They needed to get their own sound and play unlike any other in my opinion. My hearing of 'Agent Orange' was quite different back then. They seemed more established.

Production quality was good and everything was well mixed, though the lead guitar work kind of drowned out the rhythms. I don't think that the leads were really up to par, they should've just left it just with the rhythms and that's it. The lead work was sub-par and they've could've done without them. I think that it'd be a much stronger release if only the rhythm guitar was involved. I've heard the same problem with Destruction, Mike just cannot belt out good leads no matter how hard he tries. It's just not a forte in Destruction's department as it is in Sodom's either. The clean tone guitar melodies could've been taken out as well.

I think that in order to capitalize on a thrash metal album, Sodom needed to put forth a little more heart and creativity in the riffs. They just seemed to be all over the place and nothing seemed to flow too well. I did like the vocals a lot though and I think that they DID do a good job coordinating the rhythms with the vocal outputs. That's probably the highlights of the album, not the rhythm guitar by itself. They should've just stuck with the death/war filled vocal outputs with the rhythms. The chorus parts went well together too. But the rhythms/leads alone couldn't capitalize in any aspect.

If you're not convinced that this album is just average, YouTube some songs off of it and draw your own conclusions. You'll hear the staleness that plagued the rhythms only, but this album isn't a complete failure. I'd stick with the earlier material, even this album's predecessor. By far 'Agent Orange' will remain the band's best work no doubt. If their next output is to be successful, there has to be stronger rhythms and leads. On this one, they just seemed flat. It could be age, but there are still bands belting out good material in the thrash metal world. As I've stated, YouTube some songs and see if you dig it. If not, stick to their older material.

Rating: 7 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Death8699
07/29/2013 21:45