TOM ANGELRIPPER Discusses Re-Issue Of SODOM's “Tapping The Vein” And Sticking To Their Core Sound
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- When contemplating the historic tipping point where traditional heavy metal gave way to its
more extreme offshoots, one band that repeatedly comes up is Teutonic thrash metal stalwarts
Sodom.
Among the earliest and most consequential bands to arise from Germany in the early
80s, they are often credited among the likes of Venom, Hellhammer, and fellow travelers
Kreator in pioneering the black metal subgenre. But even more significant than their
contributions to the darker side of metal’s stylistic evolution, Sodom’s tale is one of
steadfastness to the principle of metal being an art unto itself, and have always placed a greater
priority in staying true to the core fans of the genre than in seizing any temporary and often
fleeting opportunities at greater mass appeal.
At the center of it all is bassist, lead vocalist, and lone band founder Thomas “Angelripper”
Such, who came from humble roots as a coal miner and has since proven one of the most
tenacious and stoic helmsmen of the metal realm throughout the 1980s and beyond. Among his
many musical influences, that of Lemmy Kilmister proves the most fitting, as Such’s working
class background and commitment to sticking to his stylistic roots have often caused fans and
critics alike refer to Sodom as the Motörhead of German thrash metal.
Yet as a vocalist, Tom’s highly raw and forbidding style can be seen more as the next logical step from that of Kilmister and Cronos of Venom, with some even pointing to it as an early indicator of where pioneering death metal vocalists Jeff Becerra of Possessed and Death’s Chuck Schuldiner would go during the mid to late 80s.
When combined with the fast and furious drumming of co-founder Chris Witchhunter and the
acquisition of guitarist Frank Blackfire in the mid-80s, Angelripper’s sepulchral screams and
distorted bass work would take the second half of the 1980s by storm. The iconic trifecta of
releases in the EP "Expurse Of Sodomy," 1987 LP "Persecution Mania" and arguably their most
revered release in 1989’s "Agent Orange" set a standard in pure aggression that has seldom been
rivaled since and could stand alone as the proud legacy of any thrash metal band.
Yet with Blackfire’s departure and the more hard rock-infused 1990 release "Better Off Dead," there was still darker territory to be explored, and at metal’s darkest hour circa 1992, Sodom would up the brutality factor further with the muscle-infused explosion of sound dubbed "Tapping The Vein." Though itself a stylistic continuation of the driving thrash style that preceded it, the input of newly recruited guitarist Andy Brings and the desire of all involved to push the envelope
further yielded a result that some might qualify as being on the line where thrash metal ends
and death metal begins and proved to be one of the most consequential thrash albums to hit
stores in a time when the style had become far less fashionable.
Despite continual success in Europe and other parts of the world in the 90s up until the
present, "Tapping The Vein" has stood as the lone album not to be reissued following its initial
release; a sad eventuality that is now due to be remedied.
Pre-order the expanded edition at sodomband.lnk....
Sonic Perspectives associated Jonathan Smith was able to catch up with Sodom helmsman Tom Angelripper himself to discuss the circumstances surrounding this forgotten diamond in the band’s extensive catalog, including the pressure from their label to adopt a more melodic and commercial sound, the subtle yet noticeable death metal influences that were incorporated into his vocal performance, and the subsequent touring on the album that also marked the final chapter in Chris Witchhunter’s tenure with the band.
Other topics of discussion would include several of Tom’s compatriots in the European metal scene, including fellow Teutonic pioneering outfits Kreator, Destruction, and Tankard, as well as a few of the newer bands making waves at present. Though Tom himself also noted his desire for a short break from all the touring and studio work, with a new studio album in the works and 4 versions of this iconic early 90s slab of thrash slated for release on November 15th, the road for this thrash metal staple shows zero signs of slowing down.
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#Sodom #TappingTheVein #ThrashMetal #Interview #TomAngelripper #Metal #SpeedMetal #JonathanSmith #SonicPerspectives
My personal favourite band, Tom is a legend!
Wonderful interview! Tom is a living legend! Sodom (always) rule!!!
Tom is an absolute thrash metal legend. Sodom forever! 🤘🏻🤘🏻
great interview! love Tapping The Vein!
Sodom rule,one of the best thrash bands ever.
First saw them in the U.K. in 89 with Sepultura supporting.
Saw them in Berlin last weekend.
Just ordered it here in Germany....the Official Merch Shop has Great Items too. Tapping the Vein has this Ultra Brutal and Brachial Sound Production....Great Album!
And by the way....yes, please re-release "Obsessed by Cruelty"! Is long due!
After the Deluge, Equinox, Pretenders to The Throne, Volcanic Slut - all masterpieces IMO.
I hope to see Sodom in Canada before it is too late. Please, please come to Canada!!!
We need a remasterization of Persecution Manía. 🤘🏾
The swedish thrash band Antichrist should have go on tour with Sodom.
Herrlich, der Tom babbelt sogar Englisch mit seinem Ruhrpottslang.
😂😂😂😂😂