Sodom

Sodom is a German thrash metal band from Gelsenkirchen, active since 1981. The group goes through numerous lineup changes, with bassist and vocalist Tom Angelripper remaining the only constant member. Its current line-up includes Angelripper, guitarists Frank “Blackfire” Gosdzik and Yorck Segatz, and drummer Toni Merkel.

The band is regarded as one of the “Big Four” of Teutonic thrash metal, alongside Kreator, Destruction and Tankard. It also has a significant place in the development of the German black metal scene and is viewed as a pioneer of death metal. The band’s sound is described as drawing on thrash and death metal, with a strong Venom influence.

Sodom releases sixteen studio albums, three live albums, two compilation albums and seven EPs. Its third studio album, Agent Orange, is its first major commercial success and is one of the earliest thrash metal albums to enter the German charts, where it reaches number 36. The band has sold over two million records and is among the best-selling thrash metal acts.

Selected albums

Obsessed by Cruelty (1986), Persecution Mania (1987), Agent Orange (1989), Better Off Dead (1990), Tapping the Vein (1992), Get What You Deserve (1994), Masquerade in Blood (1995), 'Til Death Do Us Unite (1997), Code Red (1999), M-16 (2001), Sodom (2006), The Final Sign of Evil (2007), In War and Pieces (2010), Epitome of Torture (2013), Decision Day (2016), Genesis XIX (2020) and The Arsonist (2025).