Sodom are absolute legends of German thrash metal. They started so early that thrash really wasn't a thing as yet. 'Get What You Deserve' is the band's sixth full-length album that came out in 1994, about 13 years after they formed. In a way, it could have been Sodom's debut album, because it is basically a crossover album.

Hardcore punk played a huge part in thrash metal's formation, together with speed metal. Also Venom with their primordial black metal did their bit in the constitution of thrash ('Angel Dust' covered here). And we should not forget ultra-rocking and rolling of Motörhead. This platter is Sodom's most punk-mental piece of sonic aggression. 16 songs in 44 minutes. No need to start trying to excavate any opuses here. Simple and in-your-face is the meaning of this album. It's not here to make any friends, but to mind it's own graceless business. Or maybe trying to forget itself...

Let's get the biggest defect about this out first: No, it is not the utter simplicity of compositions, but the fucking messy motherfucking production "job"! Producer Wolfgang Stach had worked with hard rock and heavy metal bands previously, so he wasn't brought in as a punk-sound prodigy. Maybe he was there just to slavishly turn them knobs in a studio what was ordered by the Sodom mastermind Tom Angelripper. What's done is done, so we get pounding drums and loud bass guitar drowning that thin guitar tone. Good luck for trying to figure out what's happening with the guitar! The vocals are well audible, so it's pure Sodom despite the wheezy six-stringer, and it is messy because of that crappy trait.

Guitar-wise, the songs consist of a riff or two and noisy soloing. These rock, hardcore punk and metal riffs are very simplistic (the likes of Motörhead, Ramones and Celtic Frost are technical progressive stuff compared to this). Sometimes the guitar is lifted a bit more forward and can be fathomed. But yes, it sounds so fucking annying and I am struggling to hear it, plus there's quite a bit of effects utilized, making it even harder to get. Mr. Angelripper's "barking with raspiness" vocals are totally recognizable, and work like they should. The drums are loud and got some nice double kicks here and there. Still, this is more like punk rock, basically, only made to sound like metal music via these few things.

The lyrics are about war! Surprised? I thought not. But that's not everything there is to this... Another serious topics are the condition of environment, pedophiles ('Jabba the Hut'; sorry "Star Wars" fans!), drug abuse and exploitation of natural resources. Then there's a big amount of sex in very raunchy or more humorous way. There's some good texts, but also lots of facepalm material. Well, the cover art is one bloody good indicator of what's it about. 'Tribute to Moby Dick' is one of the weirdest Sodom track with its sad whale song...

If this is worth something, it could be fun background noise for beer-filled nights for all dregs. It really doesn't offer any kind of long-term enjoyment when you actually listen to it deeply, I'm sad to comment. Well, there's no scarcity of good-to-amazing Sodom material out there, so this is essential for true Sodomites only. Wear a condom whenever you decide to get into this filthy thing.

Rating: 3 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
03/12/2024 14:29