Yes, you read that right; this gem was released in the fall of 2007. When you hear it, you'll think you are back in 1984, along with your white high-tops, and tight jeans. Tom Angelripper has done it again, giving us a taste of the old in an updated way. Confused? Yeah, so was I when I popped this thing in the first time. Included are the five 'classic' SODOM songs that make up the infamous "In the Sign of Evil" EP, along with no less than seven (7!) 'bonus' tracks originally written for that release, were not included back in the day. What a novel idea, to rehash the original SODOM sound that some fans were hoping to bury along with the musicianship / production that plagued the first recordings.

It seems like quite a few classic thrashers have re-recorded their own originals (EXCITER, ANTHRAX, DESTRUCTION, TESTAMENT), but again, Onkel Tom only deals in the cream of the crop. He has given back the original songs, not with SODOM's current line-up, but with the band's original players, Chris Witchhunter on drums, and Grave Violator on guitar. With over 20 years of practice, these guys must finally be great musicians, right? Nope - these tunes are just as pitiful and evil as they were in '84. Witchhunter's drums are still on a 7 second delay, and the guitar Grave Violator uses is still one chord short of a VENOM record. It's kind of like rubbernecking after a highway accident; you can't help but listen to this, and considering my taste for campy horror flics, I can't help but like it. The question why abounds here, as in 'why these songs, why use the original members, why not update and make the songs better than ever?' Well, I guess only Tom has an answer to that. However, this release gives the SODOM fans of the last decade and a half a glimpse of the band's earliest sounds, and a vision of how hard Angelripper has worked to get where they presently reside.

Here's the skinny: 12 songs of early 80s blackened thrash, complete with average production, one-dimensional vocals, evil clichéd-lyrics, tinny out-of-time drums, and cheese-grater guitar. Without the SODOM connection, it would be called a 'throw-back' record, and the band that released it would be retro and cool. Well, it is retro and cool, and it took a massive set of cahonnes to create and release this. Angelripper should give himself a pat on the back for being an island in a sea of wannabees; not giving a shit what people think, just doing what he wants. Many people don't look at the facts when a band puts out that first EP. This was a test by the record company to see if there is any interest in the music, not that the band only had 3-5 songs to record. DESTRUCTION, METALLICA, SLAYER, ARMORED SAINT to name a few, released an EP before the first album, because the record companies were unsure of their potential. I think this is Tom's way of sticking it to the man, SODOM coming full circle. "The Final Sign of Evil" is a great pickup for those seeking sweat, guts, and dirty thrash 'n roll the way it used to be played.

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: www.sodomized.info

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