Sodom – The Arsonist
Review by: James Thomas
Review Score: 9
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Release Date: June 27, 2025 on Steamhammer/SPV
Lineup
Tom Angelripper – Vocals/Bass
Frank Blackfire – Guitar
York Segatz – Guitar
Toni Merkel – Drums
Welcome to your Teutonic nightmare! That’s right, folks – the 5-year wait is over, and the mighty Sodom are ready to unleash their brand new album, “The Arsonist”, on June 27 via Steamhammer/SPV. Mainstays of the thrash scene since the genre’s rise to prominence in the 1980’s, Sodom have been causing devastation to necks, shoulders, hotel rooms, bedrooms, street corners, and concert venues around the world for decades. Known as being part of the Big Four of Teutonic Thrash (along with the likes of Kreator, Destruction, and Tankard), Sodom have enjoyed the well-deserved, hard-earned longevity that comparatively few bands ever experience.
Are you ready to dive into these monstrous tracks? Yep, I thought I was ready, too. Now, let me pop another few pain pills to ease the throbbing in my head and neck, and let’s get started!
1) The Arsonist
The title track is a short intro with some futuristic sound effects throughout, while a melodic female vocal line can be heard occasionally. As this brief piece reaches its conclusion, the listener can be certain that a glorious tumult is sure to follow.
2) Battle of Harvest Moon
Track number two (and the first “proper” track), “Battle of Harvest Moon”, begins with some furious strumming that typifies thrash. The drumming of Toni Merkel is fantastic, and Angelripper comes in with his distinct vocal delivery, bordering on death metal quality at times. The tempo becomes more mid-paced during the chorus, giving the track a nice change of flow. Immediately following the chorus’s second appearance, a ferocious solo bursts forth. At the conclusion of the solo, an incredible groove takes over the sound – a section of the track that is sure to get the mosh pit swirling. This is a fantastic first proper track.
3) Trigger Discipline
Moving into the third track, the intro to the song builds quite nicely, leaving the listener wondering what is to come. Having said that, this one doesn’t waste much time in kicking into high gear, with Angelripper employing a slightly higher-register vocal with regard to his harsh delivery. Just beyond the midway point, another face-melting solo takes the listener on a ride through thrash streets paved with gold. The same drum pattern that can be heard in the intro comes back in as the song’s final minute unfolds, while the phrase “TRIGGER DISCIPLINE” is spewed by the legendary vocalist.
4) The Spirits That I Called
This one is a shorter track – it clocks in at just under three minutes – but wow, does it pack a punch! This is thrash personified. Within seconds, the listener is transported back to the glory days when thrash was a brand new commodity unleashed on the legions of metal fans all over the world that were hungry for something different – and fierce. Listeners will need to have an appointment lined up with a chiropractor after this one – it is pure breakneck speed from start to finish. We are treated to another blazing solo, which wastes no time getting in and out – and does a perfect job of leaving us clamoring for more. This track is a major highlight on the album.
5) Witchhunter
Did we really think we would get some kind of a break in the pace? Anyone who may have wondered this exact thing will hear the answer as a resounding “NO”! This track is absolutely ferocious. To attempt to find a just description of the sound here, the verses contain a slower pace than the chorus – yet, the verses are blindingly fast! So, what does that say about the chorus? It’s played at warp speed, that’s what. Toni Merkel earns that paycheck throughout the album, but perhaps to no greater degree than on this track. This is the kind of track that thrash fans salivate over – and that doting parents have nightmares about. This is another huge highlight.
6) Scavenger
Track number six begins with a mid-paced groove that would have made PanterA proud. Around the 30-second mark, Angelripper comes in with his venomous vocals, and the atmosphere created here is brooding and menacing. This fantastic track serves as proof that thrash can contain an engaging variety of sounds and can present the listener with an interesting experience rather than becoming dull after the first several tracks on an album. This one remains mid-paced for the most part, although it does pick up a bit during the solo. Old school death metal will likely come to mind for the listener during this track – Chuck Schuldiner would give his nod of approval!
7) Gun Without Groom
We have reached the mid-way point of the album, and we’ve come to the longest track yet. Double-bass drumming accompanies the sound as the song builds for the first several seconds. As Angelripper makes his presence known, are those blast beats that we hear? Yes, it would appear so! The ferocity of the Teutonic sound is at the forefront here, and the song structure is a bit more complex than straightforward – extremely well done. Blackfire and Segatz are a killer guitar duo, and their work shines throughout the track (as it does on the album as a whole). And once again, one could be forgiven for feeling as if this is a death metal record in spots. The outro to the track fades, as the listener is throttled into the back half of the album.
8) Taphephobia
If you’re unsure of how to pronounce the title of the eighth track, you’re not alone! But enough of the linguistics! This track gets right to the point – no frills here. Just pure, unadulterated thrash. Did I mention the death/thrash theme a time or two? Yes, it’s here in full force on this track! The listener is treated to lots of variety on “Taphephobia” – the pace is lightning fast at times and more of the mid-paced variety at others. Angelripper gets a lot of well-deserved attention for his vocals, but his bass work is an underrated weapon in his arsenal. How’s your energy level now?
9) Sane Insanity
There is truly no rest for the wicked! “Sane Insanity” (clocking in at just over four minutes) comes roaring through the speakers immediately. Every single musician in this legendary band shines on this track. The chorus is especially worth mentioning in greater detail. The pace almost indiscernibly slows a bit during the chorus, but the sound remains equally ferocious during these parts. As Angelripper shouts “SANE INSANITY!” at the end of the chorus’s second appearance, Blackfire and Segatz show their chops yet again, treating the listener to another killer solo. This track is yet another high point on the album.
10) A.W.T.F.
Are you a fan of songs that build the anticipation of what is to come? You’re sure to love how track number ten kicks off! The furious down-picking of these two incredibly talented guitarists keeps the song churning the entire way. The vocal lines are slightly more melodic on this track, giving it a unique element. In fact, the vocals are perhaps THE highlight on this track. The guitar work is phenomenal as usual, and as the song bleeds into its final minute, listeners will find themselves not wanting the song to end. This is just an incredible track.
11) Twilight Void
“Twilight Void” begins with perhaps the slowest pace that we’ve heard thus far. Angelripper lets out some agonized screams as the guitar work plays in melodic fashion in the background. Deftly balancing groove and thrash – with that ever-present death metal bent – this track brings to mind the sound featured on one of the band’s 90’s releases, “Tapping the Vein”. It is impossible to find your mind wandering, as the song switches tempos so suddenly – from slower to faster and then back again. Yet another complex guitar solo takes center stage as the song begins to roar toward its conclusion. Blackfire and Segatz are an oddly “calming” presence (granted, not a word often used in thrash) in the sense that these veterans play their instruments with such precision amidst the speed and chaos. Among many, this is THE highlight of the album.
12) Obliteration of the Aeons
The penultimate track begins with a heavy, mid-tempo groove as the sound builds. As Angelripper comes in with his trademark rasp, the song continues with a meaty groove. A recurring theme throughout the album, old school death metal vibes abound here. Despite not being a particularly fast track, this one may very well be the heaviest one on the album. Just beyond the midway point of the song, a brief solo kicks in – it doesn’t overstay its welcome but gets in and gets out, leaving the listener desiring more. Hearing Angelripper growl “OBLITERATION” is immensely satisfying!
13) Return to God in Parts
We’ve come to the final track of this tour de force, and it does not disappoint. The straight-ahead thrash sound returns on this one, as the furious down-picking begins almost immediately, as Blackfire and Segatz shine once more. This track would be right at home on, say, “Code Red” or “M-16” – two albums that are beloved by thrash fans around the world. Angelripper employs the use of a higher shriek on this track, although certainly not to black metal heights. As the pace slows for another fantastic solo, the atmosphere becomes more brooding and menacing, as the band sets the stage for the album’s final moments. Some metal bands end their albums in curious fashion – with slower closing moments. NOT the case here! The album comes to a gloriously brutal end.
So, how does this brand new offering stack up in the legendary Sodom catalog? For most of us, it will likely take several listens over the course of weeks and months to make a fair, carefully considered evaluation in that regard. As for me? I will say with firm confidence that this album holds up among anything the band has ever done. Who says thrash is simply a one-trick pony? On “The Arsonist”, Sodom give fans one giant pot with a delicious stew of multiple ingredients. We are treated to speed, groove, and melody. We are thrust into a maelstrom of thrash with hints of death metal and black metal. We have the pleasure of a vocal delivery that always keeps things interesting – agonized screams, unsettling growls, and even a nod to melody in short bursts.
Whether you’re one of the “old guard” who’s been around since the inception of thrash and have been a fan of Sodom since day one OR you’re part of a younger generation who simply loves the genre and longs to see it thrive for decades to come, this album is just the thing you’re looking for. “The Arsonist” is sure to please fans across multiple generations. So, what are you waiting for? Now that you’ve made it to the end of the review, pick up this beast and bang your heads! Long live the mighty SODOM!