Sodom – Partisan EP

While most people know the big 4 of thrash metal – Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth, only true thrash fans will know the German equivalent – four equally influential bands, Destruction, Kreator, Tankard and Sodom. Formed in 1981, Sodom have released fifteen studio albums (and are in the studio working on album 16 at the moment) as well as six EPs and various live albums or compilations. While Tom Angelripper has for many years been the only original member left in the band, the band had a major shakeup at the start of 2018 with the other three band members leaving and beign replaced, with two new members, and one returning member (Frank Gosdzik – a member of the band in the late 80s).

With that big shakeup in the band personnel, rather than make fans wait till the new album is ready, the band are releasing a new EP at the end of November – Partisan. The EP contains two new tracks plus one live track. The new members have been heavily involved in this EP with “Conflagration” having been written by guitarist Yorck Segatz, and the riff for “Partisan” coming from Frank Gosdzik (aka Frank Blackfire).

It’s immediately clear from listening to the new EP that Sodom are making a statement of intent here – they’re telling fans they have no intention of slowing things down or going in new directions – it’s all about fast heavy thrash, in other words what Sodom have delivered consistently for well over thirty years. The two new tracks are excellent and really raise expectations for the new album.

The live track is “Tired and red” which Sodom fans will recognise as coming from their 1989 album “Agent orange” – the last Sodom album that Frank “Blackfire” Gosdzik appeared on during his original time with the band (before he left to join Kreator). It’s a great performance and the sound quality is excellent.

Sodom have produced an excellent EP to introduce fans to how the new lineup sounds while they wait for the next studio album to be finished.

“Partisan” will be released on 23rd November 2018

Track listing:

1. Partisan
2. Conflagration
3. Tired and red (live)