| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING In Retribution Rolling Thunder Decision Day Caligula Who Is God Strange Lost World Vaginal Born Evil Belligerence Blood Lions Sacred Warpath Refused To Die Release Date: August 26, 2016 Label: SPV/Steamhammer Records Website: www.sodomized.info www.facebook.com/sodomized |  |
SODOM IS:
Tom Angelripper - Bass & vocals Bernemann Kost - Guitars Markus Freiwald - Drums
Tom Angelripper - Bass & vocals Bernemann Kost - Guitars Markus Freiwald - Drums
Okay, the last Sodom album Epitome Of Torture was pure brilliance and I had that album on repeat for days when it first came out. I and many others were wondering how Sodom were going to top it. After listening to their new album Decision Day, unfortunately it is not a home run like Epitome Of Torture. This album just lacks the magic we experienced on Epitome Of Torture, In War & Pieces, and some old favourites like Agent Orange and Code Red. It really hurts me to say that because Sodom are one of the masters of thrash, but this album is pretty bland if you ask me. Although, there's a handful of great tracks that save Decision Day from the bin.
There is a pattern with the first three songs. The record starts off promising with "In Retribution", but descends into mediocre territory with "Rolling Thunder", but rises back up on the title track. "In Retribution" and the title track both contain savage riff attacks and beastly choruses, but after the title track, things begin to go downhill. "Caligula" has a couple of promising moments, but it's far from impressive. The only other saving grace on the album is "Blood Lions" with it's rhythmic thrash assault and really catchy riffs. It's absolutely begs to make the band's live set. Each track in between "Caligula" and "Blood Lions" fails to impress. "Who Is God" and "Strange Lost World" have mediocrity written all over them. The latter is the album's most tedious track.
Tom Angelripper's overuse of his black metal vocals is what lets down several songs. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate his black metal vocals, but several areas on the album purely called for his higher shouting vocals and it feels like the black metal vocals are there just for the sake of it. They can be pretty off-putting at times, but there were areas where his black metal vocals worked like a charm. There were also some areas where Tom used his shouting vocals, but if he incorporated them some more on here, the songs would've stood out much more.
As far as attempting to top Epitome Of Torture, sadly Sodom have been unsuccessful at that. As I mentioned above, it brings me absolutely no pleasure to say it, but Decision Day is a mediocre effort. Three great songs, but all the rest are fillers. However, that doesn't mean that the band can't write another killer album in the future. I still have a lot of faith in Sodom, but other than "In Retribution", "Decision Day" and "Blood Lions", this album does not measure up to the majesty of In War & Pieces, Epitome Of Torture, Agent Orange, Code Red and Persecution Mania. The only thing I think is better on Decision Day than on Epitome Of Torture is the production, but the songwriting could've been better.
Highs: "In Retribution", "Decision Day" and "Blood Lions"
Lows: More lackluster songs than home runs.
Final Rating: 4.5/10
There is a pattern with the first three songs. The record starts off promising with "In Retribution", but descends into mediocre territory with "Rolling Thunder", but rises back up on the title track. "In Retribution" and the title track both contain savage riff attacks and beastly choruses, but after the title track, things begin to go downhill. "Caligula" has a couple of promising moments, but it's far from impressive. The only other saving grace on the album is "Blood Lions" with it's rhythmic thrash assault and really catchy riffs. It's absolutely begs to make the band's live set. Each track in between "Caligula" and "Blood Lions" fails to impress. "Who Is God" and "Strange Lost World" have mediocrity written all over them. The latter is the album's most tedious track.
Tom Angelripper's overuse of his black metal vocals is what lets down several songs. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate his black metal vocals, but several areas on the album purely called for his higher shouting vocals and it feels like the black metal vocals are there just for the sake of it. They can be pretty off-putting at times, but there were areas where his black metal vocals worked like a charm. There were also some areas where Tom used his shouting vocals, but if he incorporated them some more on here, the songs would've stood out much more.
As far as attempting to top Epitome Of Torture, sadly Sodom have been unsuccessful at that. As I mentioned above, it brings me absolutely no pleasure to say it, but Decision Day is a mediocre effort. Three great songs, but all the rest are fillers. However, that doesn't mean that the band can't write another killer album in the future. I still have a lot of faith in Sodom, but other than "In Retribution", "Decision Day" and "Blood Lions", this album does not measure up to the majesty of In War & Pieces, Epitome Of Torture, Agent Orange, Code Red and Persecution Mania. The only thing I think is better on Decision Day than on Epitome Of Torture is the production, but the songwriting could've been better.
Highs: "In Retribution", "Decision Day" and "Blood Lions"
Lows: More lackluster songs than home runs.
Final Rating: 4.5/10
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