If there was ever a nuclear holocaust on earth only two things are sure to survive; Cockroaches and Tom Angelripper! I am absolutely serious about that take on a Bill Hicks comment. Although, I have not been the most consistent Sodomaniac; (only dipping into their catalog at various intervals in the past) I completely understand their legacy and appreciate their endurance. That brings us to the disc at hand which is a remake of the absolute "classic" In the Sign of Evil, plus 7 bonus tracks recorded around that same time, with original members Grave Violator & Witchunter. Yes, you read that correctly! This 2007 edition has the contributions of all of the original members!
What the band has set out to do is release this record the way it was originally intended in 1984 and that…was of a full-length release. Seemingly, financial burdens prevented them from doing this originally, but now they have a chance to do it right and buy them some extra time to let the creative juices build for the next new release. At first listen, I could hardly tell that anything had changed! The production of this recording with particular regard to the drum performance, sound completely original. It sounds like the whole thing was recorded in analog onto tape without any click track. Yep, it's raw and barely produced, but for this writer, rather infectious. Many people will probably wonder: "What is the point of all this, if they are not going to better it in a modern way?" Well, it would lack the spirit of the original and give in to the "compromises" that so many people make in modern recording today. Secondly, who dares argue with the godly Angelripper! To the dungeons ye bloody slave and ye head shall be severed clean off! Anyway, a true representation of the mood of the time is what this accomplishes. Furthermore, it's amazing to me that they were able to get it this close! It almost sounds like a black metal recording; way cool!
From the very beginning with the echo laden dungeon master saying, "The Sin of Sodom, the Final Silence!" these songs (along with the song titles) are just as cool today as they were then. I mean, who can resist the charm of the violence inspiring, single word chorus of "Blasphemer" one of the true classics in the bands catalog and an absolute personal favorite-- bar none! Just listen to that evil laughter on top of those triplets (guitar) and when the drums kick off…Holy shizzel! "Bloody Corpse", same thing! You could never get sick of the approach and that bass sound!!!...Good god it rumbles and undulates as if the gates of hell are slowly opening. Angelripper has one of the greatest vocal styles ever. It combines the raspy cool of Lemmy and Cronos with a charcoal toothed devil! Incredible, to say the least.
Like the cover, the drums will take your head off with some of the unusual cymbal work and awkwardness. Yes, they left many of the mistakes on here and it would seem that Witchunter could still use some additional warming up after his long retreat from the drum stool, but it contributes immensely to the "unpredictable" factor which really maintains interest along with the songs rather "evilly" seductive feel. The bonus songs truly complete this classic and I love every glory filled rasp and I think most of you will to.
Track Listing
1. The Sin of Sodom
2. Blasphemer
3. Bloody Corpse
4. Witching Metal
5. Sons of Hell
6. Burst Command 'till War
7. Where Angels Die
8. Sepulchral Voice
9. Hatred of the Gods
10. Ashes to Ashes
11. Outbreak of Evil
12. Defloration
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