Sodom – Genesis XIX

Sodom

‘Genesis XIX’

Steamhammer Records

Thrash Metal

FFO: Kreator, Destruction, Slayer, Tankard

It was a glorious day for German thrash metal in 2018 when it was announced that after 30 years, Frank Blackfire would be returning to Sodom. Not rushing into things, this line-up released a handful of EP’s, tentatively testing the water, but finally Sodom are back with a full length studio album ‘Genesis XIX’.

                Sodom have never been a band to beat around the bush, therefore what ‘Genesis XIX’ is the band bursting out the traps with all the power of a machine gun. This is the sound of a band which has been fully reinvigorated as Tom Angelripper and Frank Blackfire play like they have never been apart, tearing the thrash metal scene a new arsehole. Unlike the bands recent EP’s, which although decent, didn’t really leave a lasting impression, ‘Genesis XIX’ immediately rectifies this and is the piece of the modern Sodom puzzle that has been missing; tracks such as ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’, ‘Euthanasia’ and ‘Friendly Fire’ are shining examples of everything that is loved by Sodom being somehow ever so slightly more twisted and darker than their peers, even if ‘Indoctrination’ does sound a little bit too much like ‘Ausgebombt’. In fact, ‘Genesis XIX’ is the sound of Sodom taking their time and finally ready to accept their place in the world, sure, it doesn’t have the fire or tempestuousness of youth, but it doesn’t need it, what Sodom lack in youth, they more than make up with guile and tenacity with Angelripper having not sounded this good in years and at times even manages to channel that inner Tom Araya as the Teutonic masters easily slide into the void caused by Slayer’s disbandment.

However, ‘Genesis XIX’ is a grower, it isn’t easy to initially fall in love with and it does need a few plays to fully appreciate and even then some of the tracks, especially in the middle of the album aren’t exactly memorable. But, ultimately, these can be overlooked for an album book ended by some of Sodom’s best work in 25 years and hopefully, Sodom won’t leave it too long to follow this album up because this line-up is quite powerful.

Adam McCann