Sodom

The Profile

Sodom are a German extreme metal band formed in 1982, widely associated with Teutonic thrash metal. Reviews depict an early era tied to raw, primitive first-wave black metal aesthetics before a turn toward extreme thrash around Persecution Mania (1987), with Agent Orange (1989) often presented as a major peak. Their lyrics are frequently described as focused on war and death, with a recurring anti-war stance.

Founded in 1982 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany; fronted by bassist/vocalist Thomas "Tom Angelripper" Such. Commonly grouped with Kreator and Destruction as part of the Teutonic thrash scene.

Across these reviews, Sodom are portrayed as a cornerstone of German/Teutonic thrash: raw, fast, and stubbornly consistent. Early releases are framed as primitive/proto-black, then a decisive thrash turn around Persecution Mania and the peak-era Agent Orange. War is a recurring lyrical theme, often described as critical rather than celebratory. Later records and EPs are praised for keeping the style intact, even when production choices and tracklists divide opinion.