SODOM bassist/vocalist and sole remaining original member Thomas "Angelripper" Such has parted ways with guitarist Bernd "Bernemann" Kost and drummer Markus "Makka" Freiwald.

Says Such: "After much thought and reflection, I have decided on this difficult step to pave the way for new challenges.

"SODOM have always lived off the commitment and passion of everybody involved. Makka was part of the band for almost eight years, Bernemann even for more than twenty. To obviate a possible routine setting in which would make it impossible to continue our creative work optimally, I would like to start all over again with fresh and hungry musicians. At the same time, I would like to say thank you to Bernemann and Makka for many successful years in which we performed fantastic shows and released a number of real metal manifestos."

Irrespective of this lineup change, all scheduled SODOM shows will take place from April 2018 as announced. Tom is set to introduce his new comrades-in-arms at the Full Metal Mountain festival. Whether SODOM will continue to operate as a trio or perhaps become a quartet in future remains unclear. Tom says: "I haven't really made up my mind in this respect; I'm open to all options. I will now install the band's new foundation pillars and look around for new musicians. One thing is already clear: SODOM will become even stronger!"


Along with his new bandmates, Tom will begin work on the upcoming SODOM album — to be released on Steamhammer/SPV — as soon as possible. Tom says: "SPV also look forward to our future collaboration and can expect a totally motivated band."

SODOM tour dates:

Apr. 7 - AT - Kärnten - Full Metal Mountain
Jun. 21-23 - FI - Kauhajoki - Nummirock
Jun. 23 - DK - Copenhagen - Copenhell
Jul. 4-7 - DE - Ballenstedt - Rock Harz Open Air
Jul. 14 - SE - Gävle - Gefle Metal
Aug. 18 - AT - Graz - Metal On The Hill
Aug. 25 - DE - Cham - Mosh Club Open Air
Aug. 31 - DE - Hamburg - Weltturbojugendtage
Oct. 6 - DE - Lichtenfels - Way Of Darkness

SODOM's latest album, "Decision Day", was released in August 2016 via SPV/Steamhammer.

In War And Pieces was the last really solid Sodom outing. Maybe Angelripper will take the band on a similar route to OverKill: get musicians that really push the pace of the music.

I can't imagine anyone better than Frank Blackfire back in the guitar slot.

Who? Bobby Gustafson? Overkill aren't really a shining example of exciting music nowadays.

I think this is the right move for Sodom (well, a step in the right direction, at least). While I like some of the Bernemann era albums and live they were great - it's clear that they coasted by a lot. In War and Pieces, in particular, is one that I remember being crap and it seems sometimes they just lacked that Sodom-ness in the riffs (Code Red's Slayerisms, anyone?).

I don't think they'll get another drummer better than the one they just lost.

Wonder how I can be the new guitarist?

I really hope they don't go back to an Obsessed By Cruelty sound.

I've really liked every album since Code Red. Not a single bad one to me. This news isn't inherently bad, but more just strange. I'm cautiously optimistic about a new record, but I really hope they don't go back to an Obsessed By Cruelty sound.

He made a quite mediocre album last year with Assassin as far i know.. the black magic wasn't there indeed

SPV/STEAMHAMMER PRESS RELEASE

TOM ANGELRIPPER ANNOUNCES NEW LINE-UP
German cult thrash act now a quartet, Frank Blackfire returns
New single out in summer 2018, album to follow in spring 2019

While rumours are still flying thick and fast in the media, Tom Angelripper has already announced the new line-up of his band Sodom: Husky (Asphyx, Desaster) is set to man the drum kit, Frank Blackfire (ex-Sodom, ex-Kreator, Frank Blackfire, Assassin) and Yorck Segatz (Beyondition) have been enlisted on guitars. Sodom have already released seminal albums such as Persecution Mania, the live cut Mortal Way Of Live and the highly successful Agent Orange with Frank Blackfire. As he had hinted at the beginning of the year, Tom has opted for a line-up featuring two guitarists, an absolute novelty for Sodom. “Two guitarists allow us much more possibilities live, so we will be able to play tracks in future that we weren’t able to perform as a trio,” the Sodom vocalist/bassist explains his motives. In line with these new possibilities, the thrash act has already started to put together a setlist for the upcoming shows with all important classics as well as rare numbers that had never or only rarely been heard at their gigs. Says Tom: “I can promise that we will really let it rip in future.”

In Frank Blackfire, Yorck Segatz and Husky, Tom has consciously gone for musicians from his own background. “It’s common knowledge that all three are exceptional instrumentalists and that heavy metal is their life. But Sodom is also about getting on a personal level. The new band members are all dyed-in-the-wool Sodom fans and all live in Essen. Need I say more?”

While the guys have just moved into their new rehearsal room (Tom: “As it happens exactly where it all started back in 1982!”), the Sodom mastermind is already looking to the future. “We’ll start writing new material as soon as possible and plan to release a single with at least two brand-new numbers and a bonus track to give our fans a taste of our upcoming album,” he promises. “The direction of the new material already stands: ready for action and full of adrenaline, Sodom are set to celebrate the glorious days of the 1980s old school thrash that we all grew up with and that the band has always been celebrated for.”

I feel weird about Sodom as a four-piece but maybe it'll work out.

As far as old guitarists coming back, I'd recommend my mate, Andy Brings. Those 2 Brings era albums were excellent and he's still an active musician (although, it's doubtful that he'd make a full return to metal - he said so himself).

I am always in favor of thrash bands adding a second guitarist. What Tom did was cold though, and sodom were in fine form anyway. Peavy rebooting rage I understand , this sodom situation I don’t. Why not just add Frank Blackfire to the line up ?