Sodom is a German thrash metal band, formed in 1982. They are considered one of the three biggest teutonic thrash bands — the other two are Kreator and Destruction.

Sodom's original line-up consisted of Tom Angelripper, Chris Witchhunter and Aggressor. Taking inspiration from British speed metal bands such as Motörhead and Venom, they released two demos which led to a record deal with Steamhammer. Aggressor left the band shortly before releasing the In the Sign of Evil EP (generally regarded as an important early black metal release), and was replaced by Grave Violator, who did not last long himself. On the debut album Obsessed by Cruelty he was replaced by Destructor. After the release however, Destructor left Sodom to join Kreator. Destructor (Michael Wulf) died in a motorcycle accident in 1995.

Thereafter, their breakthrough album Persecution Mania was released with yet another guitarist, Frank Blackfire. A live album Mortal Way of Live followed. The next album made Sodom famous: Agent Orange, released in 1989. This album managed to sell 100,000 copies in Germany alone. Since then, Sodom is one of the three big names of German Thrash metal. The others are Kreator and Destruction. Again, a new guitarist was to be found as Blackfire also left the band to join Kreator. The replacement was found in Michael Hoffman.

In this line-up the Better Off Dead album was released in 1990. During the South American tour however, Hoffman decided to stay in Brazil and therefore was forced to quit. His replacement was found in Andy Brings and a new album was recorded, titled Tapping the Vein, which was more death metal influenced than before. This proved to be the last album with the drummer Witchhunter who was kicked from the band. Atomic Steif found his way behind the drumkit.

This line-up now, recorded the next album, Get What You Deserve. Out were the death metal influence, in came the hardcore influences. Get What You Deserve had an arguably grotesque album cover and many fans were disappointed with the new direction. Also, this marked the beginning of less international visibility for Sodom as thrash lost its commercial viability for the remainder of the 1990s. At this time Angelripper also started a solo career doing metal impressions of drinking songs, German schlagers and even Xmassy Carols. Another live album was recorded of the tour in support of this album called Marooned - Live.

In the same vein as the previous album, Masquerade in Blood was released in 1995. Again another guitarist was to be found. The new axeman was Strahli, but he did not stay very long with the band either; he was fired due to drug problems. Also Atomic Steif left and again Angelripper needed to search for new members. These were found in the person of Bernemann on guitars and Bobby Schottkowski on drums. Apparently this line-up has stabilized the band significantly and is still current.

The album 'Til Death Do Us Unite featured a controversial album cover, depicting the belly a pregnant woman and a beer gut of a man pressing a human skull together. Stylistically, it continues along the lines of Masquerade in Blood. However, in 1999 Code Red was released and formed a return to the sound of the 1980s thrash metal. A limited edition featured a bonus CD containing a tribute to Sodom album called Homage to the Gods. In the same vein, M-16 was released displaying Sodoms interest in the Vietnam War. The title of course refers to the automatic rifle M16. A tour followed with the other two big German thrash metal bands Kreator and Destruction. The band carried on the thrash metal style from the previous album.

In 2003, a double live album was recorded in Bangkok, Thailand, titled One Night in Bangkok. A new album simply titled Sodom was released in 2006, in the same vein as its predecessors Code Red and M-16. The title was chosen as Angelripper explained because every band needs a self-titled album. The album was however delayed because the DVD Lords of Depravity took more time to compose that initial thought.



Current members

* Tom Angelripper (Thomas Such, Onkel Tom) - Vocals/Bass (Desperados)
* Bobby Schottkowski - Drums (ex-Crows, ex-Tom Angelripper)
* Bernemann (Bernd Kost) - Guitars (ex-Crows)



Former members

* Aggressor (Frank Testegen) - Guitars (1983-1984)
* Grave Violator (Pepi Dominic) - Guitars (1984-1985)
* Destructor (Michael Wulf) - Guitars (later Kreator) (1985-1986) R.I.P. in 1993.
* Assator (Uwe Christophers) - Guitars (ex-Darkness (Ger)) (on tour in 1986)
* Frank Blackfire (Frank Gosdzik) - Guitars (later Mystic (Bra) and Kreator) (1987-1989, special appearance in the December 28, 2006 concert in Bochum)
* Uwe Baltrusch - Guitars (on tour in 1989/1990) (also in Mekong Delta, later House of Spirits)
* Michael Hoffman - Guitars (ex-Assassin (Ger)) (1990)
* Andy Brings - Guitars (later Powergod) (1991-1995)
* Strahli (Dirk Strahlimeier) - Guitars (1995-1996)
* Chris Witchhunter (Christian Dudeck) - Drums (1983-1992) (see also Destruction and Bathory)
* Atomic Steif (Guido Richter) - Drums (later Stahlträger and Assassin (Ger), ex-Sacred Chao, ex-Holy Moses, ex-Living Death, ex-Brotós) (1992-1996)


Discography

* Witching Metal (Demo) 1983
* Victims of Death (Demo) 1984
* In the Sign of Evil (EP) 1984
* Obsessed by Cruelty 1986
* Expurse of Sodomy (EP) 1987
* Persecution Mania 1987
* Mortal Way of Live (live album) 1988
* Agent Orange 1989
* Ausgebombt (EP) 1989
* Better off Dead 1990
* The Saw Is the Law (EP) 1991
* Tapping the Vein 1992
* Aber Bitte mit Sahne (EP) 1993
* Get What You Deserve 1994
* Marooned Live (live album) 1994
* Masquerade in Blood 1995
* Ten Black Years - Best Of 1996
* 'Til Death Do Us Unite 1997
* Code Red 1999
* M-16 2001
* One Night in Bangkok (live album) 2003
* Lords of Depravity Part I (double DVD, 2005)
* Sodom - 2006
* Lords of Depravity Part II - TBA