Only Heavy Metal

Tom Angelripper splits up with Bernemann & Makka
New line-up to be announced soon
All 2018 shows to take place as announced

The new year has started with a bang for all Sodom fans: vocalist/bassist Tom Angelripper has split up with guitarist Bernd “Bernemann” Kost and drummer Markus “Makka” Freiwald. “After much thought and reflection I have decided on this difficult step to pave the way for new challenges,” explains Tom. “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 spectacular line-up 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. Whether Sodom will continue to operate as a trio or perhaps become a quartet in future remains unclear. Tom: “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!”

Together with his new line-up, Tom wants to start working on the upcoming album – to be released on Steamhammer/SPV – as soon as possible. Tom: “SPV also look forward to our future collaboration and expect a totally motivated band.”

Guitarist Bernd "Bernemann" Kost and drummer Markus "Makka" Freiwald have released a joint statement regarding their departure from legendary German thrashers SODOM.

SODOM bassist/vocalist and sole remaining original member Thomas "Angelripper" Such announced on Friday (January 5) that he made the decision to part ways with Kost and Freiwald because he wanted to "start all over again with fresh and hungry musicians."

Over the weekend, Kost and Freiwald addressed their exit from SODOM, writing in a Facebook post: "Tom has already pointed it out in his statement that in fact we have slightly drifted apart from each other. Indeed, our conceptions of respect and workload diverged even further. Also tour offers neglected by Tom disappointed us.

"After its overwhelming reactions, we were totally looking forward to creating a successor to 'Decision Day' and have already recorded lots of song ideas. Unfortunately, Tom did not share our enthusiasm; he terminated his cooperation with us via [messaging platform] WhatsApp even without listening to any of the new material.

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.”

Sodom's new EP ‘Partisan’ will be out November 23rd 2018 as CD Digi, 10" vinyl and digital, featuring three tracks including a live recording from this year’s Rock Hard Festival. The new line-up could hardly present itself in a more impressive manner!

SODOM will release their new mini-album 'Out of the Frontline Trench (EP)' (CD) on November 22, 2019, via Steamhammer