SODOM FRONTMAN TOM ANGELRIPPER – “I WANT TO STOP TOURING FOR A WHILE; I HAVE NO PLAN TO COME BACK”

Tom Angelripper, the frontman for German thrash metal legends Sodom, is featured in a new interview with Finland’s Chaoszine. He discusses the band’s forthcoming album, The Arsonist, and the band’s future plans.

During the chat, Angelripper revealed that the band will be touring less than some fans might expect in support of the new record.

Angelripper: “I want to stop touring for a while. I need more time for my family, for my hobbies, for my good old friends or time for myself. My doctor said, ‘You are in very good condition for your age, but slow it down a little bit.’ I’m still working on the band; I’m still working for re-releases; I just want to do more home office. But I have no plan to come back. I don’t want to have any pressure. When I say, ‘Okay, I come back in April ’27,’ whatever, I put myself under pressure. I don’t want that. I will see what happens. I don’t have any plans, but I’m sure I’m coming back one day.”

Sodom have released the video for their new single, “Witchhunter.” The song is the second single ftrom The Arsonist, out on June 27 via Steamhammer.

“Witchhunter” is Sodom’s homage to their late drummer Chris Witchhunter, and the video was created by ex-Sodom guitar player, Andy Brings. Stream the single here, and watch the video below:

We all know that good music is always also a question of sound. To this end, the human factor is crucial — along with the right equipment, of course — after all it’s about authenticity and individual personality. With that in mind, Sodom have come to a logical conclusion: To enable the most natural production possible, the drum parts on their latest album The Arsonist were recorded using a 24-track analog tape machine.

No studio tricks, no digital overdubs, or, to quote frontman Tom Angelripper: “No plastic! The difference in sound compared to today’s standard drum productions is amazing and has had a positive effect on all the instruments. Naturally, time and effort as well as costs were also higher, but we’re happy to fork out for a superior result.”

However, it’s not only the complex production process that testifies to the band’s exceptional creative spirit, but also their diverse songwriting, which saw all four Sodom musicians — the aforementioned Tom Angelripper (vocals, bass), Frank Blackfire (guitar), York Segatz (guitar) and Toni Merkel (drums) — involved in the development of the material on The Arsonist.

Tom Angelripper continues: “Frank contributed those typical Sodom riffs and hooks again, whereas York favors more epic songwriting. As a perfect complement to both of them, Toni, who is also an excellent guitarist, contributed a number of songs and helped to make the album even more versatile.”

The Arsonist will be released in the following formats:

– Digipak
– 2LP version
– Download
– Stream

Tracklisting:
The Arsonist
Battle Of Harvest Moon
Trigger Discipline
The Spirits That I Called
Witchhunter
Scavenger
Gun Without Groom
Taphephobia
Sane Insanity
A.W.T.F.
Twilight Void
Obliteration Of The Aeons
Return To God In Parts

Sodom is:
Tom Angelripper – Vocals, Bass
Frank Blackfire – Guitar
York Segatz – Guitar
Toni Merkel – Drums