Sodom
Obsessed By Cruelty

THE REVIEW

Mysteries of a de-database generally well-stocked with metal: what was missing until now was a cornerstone of the most uncompromising and rotten metal. Of the most "UH!" metal, to be clear.

The first LP work by Sodom doesn't stray much stylistically from the debut EP, "In The Sign Of Evil," which offered a mix between Venom, Motorhead, and some dumber punk like Discharge, establishing itself alongside the debuts of Bathory and Celtic Frost as one of the key works of the proto-black metal scene.

The rough technique has only smoothed out imperceptibly, while the band attempts to add a minimum complexity to the song structures, which often spill into a chaotic mess of riffs with very loose cohesion; better therefore the headlong assaults of "Equinox" or "Volcanic Slut." Occasionally, some random slowdown is thrown in for atmosphere like in "Proselytism Real" or in the title track. The sound has actually worsened compared to the previous work, with guitars that seem to use Lidl amplifiers, while the always fierce Angelripper probably recorded his vocals two rooms away from the microphone. In contrast, the drums are unfortunately the absolute protagonist of the mix, with a sound like grandma duck's kitchenware, while Witchhunter pounds without mercy from start to finish without any apparent logical sense, without hitting a single tempo change or fill.

Up to this point, it seems like the description of an apocalyptic mess, but those more accustomed to this type of sound know that often the listed flaws transform in these genres into strengths because they highlight the youthful naivety of the authors, which becomes contagious. For a true metalhead, it's impossible not to feel the enthusiasm, conviction, and the desire to rock the world and kick asses that leads to wildly hammering while brandishing the grenade as if it were the microphone stand and shouting pseudo-occult nonsense that now seems like the gospel.

In short, the hateful elitist sentiment of the category comes into play, saying: "those who are not metalheads cannot understand".