Episode 15: Tom Angelripper (Sodom)

So the story goes, Tom Angelripper and his original bandmates started playing music as a means to escape a life of working in the coal mines in Germany.  Now nearly 40 years later, after influencing innumerable thrash, death, and black metal bands over their historic career, Sodom is preparing to release their 17th studio album The Arsonist through Steamhammer/SPV on June 27th.  Ahead of its release, I had a chance to speak Tom, the only original member remaining, about a number of topics, including:

·      the writing process for The Arsonist, his process for developing lyrics for the songs on the record, how Tom decides which vocal style suits the music best, and his inspirations for both lyrics and vocals.  

·      a discussion of Tank and Algy Ward and the song on The Arsonist that’s dedicated to him, the tribute to original Sodom drummer Christian “Witchhunter” Dudek on the new album, and memories of Witchhunter commemorated in the lyric video for the song. 

·      Tom’s feelings on being an inspiration for the Norwegian black metal scene, “Obsessed by Cruelty” and its production value, how it influenced Mayhem and Burzum, and plans for a reissue of the album.

·      the differences in the band recording Sodom’s first and second albums, the transition from occult lyrical themes to more political material on Persecution Mania, his reflections on over 40 years in the metal world, and a thank you to Sodom fans worldwide. 

Tom was a pleasure to speak with and expressed gratitude to his fans worldwide at the end of the interview, who will surely be ecstatic to listen to the new material Sodom have created on The Arsonist.  Enjoy!