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Well, I think that everyone in the metal scene knows SODOM - the masters of Thrash Metal. Tom Angelripper was cool enough and answered all my questions in details. Read on and enjoy every inch of his talk!!!
I think that "Code Red" is the most brutal album of SODOM up to date. Are you going to be more and more brutal on your upcoming releases? Tell us something about the new forthcoming album of SODOM and when can we expect it.
- No, I don't think so. The most brutal album is the "Masquerade in Blood", but the "Code Red" production was probably better! In a time where bands get more and more commercial and melodic it is our aim to make the music extreme in a revolution way!! Metal have to get aggressive again what a lot of bands forget. We try to keep the Thrash Metal alive and SODOM will be a band that never change! All who do other music are whimps in my ears.
On the next album we try to go back to "Persecution Mania". We know what people mean when they talk about "The spirit of the 80th" and we keep on working in this way. The new SODOM will be released in summer, in the year we celebrate our 20 years birthday!!!!!!!!!!
It seems to me that your current line-up is a quite stable one as it was back in 1987 'till 1989. What you think about this? By the way, have you any news about Chris Witchhunter, Frank Blackfire or Atomic Steif? If so, please enlight us some details.
- I have no more contact to the old SODOM members, and why should I have?? The only member who is still a friend of mine is the famous "GRAVE VIOLATOR". Sometimes we meet or he visit us in our shows to get some beers together and talking about the good old times. We also talked about some unreleased material from the "In the Sign of Evil" area and what we can do. But he will never get a "NEW" SODOM member. I want to keep the current line up so long as I can, cause we are really good friends.
SODOM is one of the few and maybe only Thrash Metal bands that never disappointed their fans. I mean, for example, KREATOR who drastically changed their music from one into another and due to it they lost a lot of fans worldwide. What is the key for SODOM to be always amongst the winners and to keep its music as original, varied and interesting as possible?
- That's our way!! I think that was really disappointed for the KREATOR fans when they changed their style and now they want to go back to their own roots. SODOM will never change and that is the reason why we are still alive. I have the chance to make music in three different bands but SODOM will be SODOM!!!
Tom, you are a very active person being involved in two other bands as well. What news can you tell us about ONKEL TOM? Last I heard was a compilation album of the best songs from your three previous materials. Do you work on something new? Can you give us some songnames, maybe the album title?
- Yes ONKEL TOM will released a new album next week!!! This is a special christmas album with famous songs played in a punkey ONKEL TOM style. This is a surprise for everybody who hears!! There are german songs like "Stille Nacht", "Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann", "Jingle Bells", "American Medley", etc, and two own songs. This album rules.
The best of album is something I don't wanted! This was released by the old company Gun Records and it seems they want to sell out and forget!!
Please share with us some info about DESPERADOS. I mean members, plans, etc. Shall we expect some tour with this kind of stuff in the future? Also interesting for me to know who came up with the idea of creating such kind of musical conception for DESPERADOS?
- Me and Alex (guitarplayer) had the idea to do something in western style because we are really western fans and like everything that has to do with this theme. And I can tell you this is the newcomerband of the year. You can't compare the DESPERADOS music with any other band, cause this is something new!! I like it very much but SODOM is my main band, so SODOM fans don't be afraid!! We go to studio in the beginning of next year and try to bring the adventures of Wyatt Earp and doc Holliday closer to your mind! This will probably released in April, so keep your guns loaded!!!!!!!
Bobby also helps you in ONKEL TOM. And what about Bernemann? Does he participates in any other bands or projects, for example? What are you do beside the music in your freetime?
- No Bernemann just play in SODOM and I don't think that he has enough freetime to do another project.
I have some hobbies like hunting - and this is no joke!! I also drive an Oldtimer car, an Opel Diplomat from 1970 and spent a lot of work in it. And I collecting old Postcards from my Hometown "BUER in WESTFALEN" and I am always searching for new material. So, if anybody of your readers can find some cards, please let me know. I know that postcards from Gemany (BUER) got send worldwide.
Tell us something about your 2001 tour with KREATOR and DESTRUCTION.
- I had a meeting last month with SCHMIER and MILLE, and we want to do. But there are also the booking agencies and the different record companies who have work together. We want to go on tour next year in October if it get possible. This will be a tour that thrash fans waiting for so long and it will be sold out everywhere and we get the chance to play worldwide. So we will see what happened.
For the limited version of "Code Red" you also included a special SODOM tribute album, namely "Homage to the Gods". Please, tell us what bands have done the best versions in your opinion. Are there any plans to do the continuation of this tribute album in the future?
- Every band have done a good job and they tried to cover the songs so good as they could without to forget to keep the flair and the spirit of the old SODOM material. I am proud of each band. They don't forget where they got their inspiration from!! It's possible to bring out a second tribute any time because so much good SODOM songs left. We'll see.
I guess it's time to ask you about what bands are you listening to nowadays? Do you like to listen to Death or Black Metal bands, for example? If so, name us some of your favorites.
- I like more the older bands like VENOM, TANK, S.O.D., SLAYER, VULCAIN and hundreds more. Some of the new band are really cool but the most I don't like, SORRY!!!
Finally, tell us your wishes for the Ukrainian sodomaniacs.
- I wish the Ukrainian fans good luck for the future and hope to see you on tour and don't forget my postcards. Thank you so much for your support...........
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