Sodom - In War And Pieces
Let's get one thing out of the way right off the bat here: Sodom fucking rule. They've released what are now considered mandatory thrash classics with the likes of "Agent Orange", they're one of the few thrash bands that managed to brave the rather bleak 90s when thrash was deemed 'uncool' - though admittedly, they did three more crossover-sounding records in that time - and in the last decade have released two of the heaviest and most well composed records in the genre with 2001's "M16" and 2006's epic self-titled album. If you don't own at least three Sodom albums, you're simply not a thrash fan in any way - these german bruisers really know how to write heavy yet catchy music, and their newest effort "In War And Pieces" is pretty much exactly what you would expect.
Anybody who's heard Sodom's recent outputs (barring the dreadful "Final Sign of Evil") will pretty much have a good idea of what's in store for them with this album. It's Sodom - it's got devastating drums, violent riffs, terrifying vocals and catchy songwriting and composition all topped off with lyrics about death and the horrors of war. Lyrically, the album is the standard Sodom affair as the title may have hinted so... no surprises there, but it's the music itself that I found slightly surprising - "In War And Pieces" could almost be mistaken for a compilation album in places as it takes the elements from various past records and throws them into a blender. Of course it still sounds like Sodom, but it possesses the awesome thrash of "Agent Orange", the death metal vibes of "Tapping the Vein", the catchy brutality of "Code Red" and the melodic brilliance of their self-titled album all in one album, which manages to keep everything interesting all the way through. Some felt that the last record was too melodic or that "M16" was too stripped down or straightforward, well I implore those people to give this album a chance because it may really surprise you.
There's little else to say on this really, everything is exactly as expected and then some - it's not radically different from the band's previous works, but it's noticably different enough to keep even the most cynical thrash fans (such as myself!) entertained for a long time. Sodom have not only released the best thrash album of the year, but possibly the best metal album of the year in any (sub)genre - after the four year wait, fans and newcomers alike will absolutely love this. Sodom's "In War And Pieces" is a must buy - plus, that cover artwork is downright fucking awesome!
Anybody who's heard Sodom's recent outputs (barring the dreadful "Final Sign of Evil") will pretty much have a good idea of what's in store for them with this album. It's Sodom - it's got devastating drums, violent riffs, terrifying vocals and catchy songwriting and composition all topped off with lyrics about death and the horrors of war. Lyrically, the album is the standard Sodom affair as the title may have hinted so... no surprises there, but it's the music itself that I found slightly surprising - "In War And Pieces" could almost be mistaken for a compilation album in places as it takes the elements from various past records and throws them into a blender. Of course it still sounds like Sodom, but it possesses the awesome thrash of "Agent Orange", the death metal vibes of "Tapping the Vein", the catchy brutality of "Code Red" and the melodic brilliance of their self-titled album all in one album, which manages to keep everything interesting all the way through. Some felt that the last record was too melodic or that "M16" was too stripped down or straightforward, well I implore those people to give this album a chance because it may really surprise you.
There's little else to say on this really, everything is exactly as expected and then some - it's not radically different from the band's previous works, but it's noticably different enough to keep even the most cynical thrash fans (such as myself!) entertained for a long time. Sodom have not only released the best thrash album of the year, but possibly the best metal album of the year in any (sub)genre - after the four year wait, fans and newcomers alike will absolutely love this. Sodom's "In War And Pieces" is a must buy - plus, that cover artwork is downright fucking awesome!
1. In War And Pieces
2. Hellfire
3. Through Toxic Veins
4. Nothing Counts More Than Blood
5. Storm Raging Up
6. Feigned Death Throes
7. Soul Contraband
8. God Bless You
9. The Art of Killing Poetry
10. Knarrenheinz
11. Styptic Parasite
2. Hellfire
3. Through Toxic Veins
4. Nothing Counts More Than Blood
5. Storm Raging Up
6. Feigned Death Throes
7. Soul Contraband
8. God Bless You
9. The Art of Killing Poetry
10. Knarrenheinz
11. Styptic Parasite
SPV/Steamhammer
Reviewer: Dave Ingram Jr.
Nov 20, 2010
Nov 20, 2010
Next review:
Hukkunud Hinged - Hukkunud Hinged
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