SODOM are a band that needs absolutely no introduction to anyone who is even remotely interested in underground or extreme music. Having been established back in 1982, and releasing their first formal EP, the iconic “In The Sign Of Evil”, in 1985, the band has been consistently putting out quality Speed and Thrash Metal for over four staggering decades. With 17 full-lengths to their name, the veteran act has withstood the test of time in a manner far better than a great many of their Thrash Metal contemporaries. “The Arsonist”, released through the long-standing Steamhammer, sees sole original member Tom Angelripper back at the helm, executing 13 new tracks, with a line-up rounded out by Frank Blackfire, Yorck Segatz and Toni Merkel. We live in a musical era where veteran foundational bands in extreme music are either running out of gas, disbanding, radically changing their sound profiles, or simply producing lackluster material. SODOM, after more than 40 years, are still pushing forward and crafting compositions that put many within their genre to shame. “The Arsonist”, like all good Thrash albums should, comes out of the gate swinging at full force. Hitting the ground running is ‘Battle Of Harvest Moon’, opening the album with a ripping fast power-chord frenzy, Tom Angelripper belts out vocals that sound phenomenal for four decades of wear and tear, the band exercises multiple tempos and paces and the crown jewel of the track is the razor-sharp, crisp soloing in the middle of the song that is peppered with dive-bombs and finger-tapping. There are some serious heavy-hitters on “The Arsonist”, tracks such as ‘Witchhunter’, ‘Sane Insanity’ and ‘A.W.T.F’ beat the listener down with galloping, thundering drums and tight, hook-heavy riff work. ‘Witchhunter’ has drummer Toni Merkel in a frenzy of roiling double-bass, ‘Sane Insanity’ is a whirlwind beating of riffs and wild firebrand soloing and ‘A.W.T.F’ is a just a mean monster of a song with Punk like drumming and riff work capable of whipping a crowd into a rancor. The riffs put on display by Frank Blackfire and Yorck Segatz are exactly what Thrash Metal embodies, there are no gimmicks, no borrowing from other genres and no overbearing melodic sympathies; just pure, raw audio power. The soloing, across the entire album, is top-notch and really makes the songs explode. Tom Angelripper’s vocals sounds excellent and Toni Merkel puts on an expert display of rhythmic choice and percussive punishment. SODOM have done the genre proud for Thrash Metal in 2025 and both new and longtime fans have something worth listening to here. For more information on SODOM, check out www.facebook.com/sodomized. For additional info on Steamhammer Records / SPV, see www.facebook.com/spvsteamhammer