With Sodom's latest release, simply titled Sodom, the German thrashers more than meet the expectations set by a high standard of quality metal maintained throughout their career, largely due to frontman/bassist Tom Angelripper's distinct, barking vocal style, distorted bass and apt song writing. Sodom was notably produced by former guitarist Andy Brings in Hagen, Germany with Haan Hartmann as sound engineer. Brings clearly knows how to bring out the best and most sonically effective in Sodom as evident by the resulting 11 tracks.

Sodom is unrelenting and uncompromising a release as one could hope for. They have proven their worth many a time with such indespensible works as In the Sign of Evil, Agent Orange, Persecution Mania, etc, and this release stands up proudly next to the best of them. While it is a logical step from Code Red and M-16, it delivers a bit more dynamic, depth and ferocity. Track six, "Axis of Evil," even has an "Agent Orange"-esque riff.

The album opens with a melodic but sinister acoustic guitar picked rapid fire that is soon joined by drums, and then the force of the entire band on "Blood on Your Lips." The vocals are delivered in an almost whisper-growl, before turning into the familiar Angelripper style. The chorus bears a repetition of the title line "Blood on Your Lips," and the song itself is very much instantly recognizable as distinctly Sodom as a whole.

The tracks frequently feature a speeding, thrashing mad tempo, to a more mid-temp beat, and here and there interspersed with acoustic guitar melodicism, briefly, but effectively, never detracting from the overall aggression apparent on this entire album – rather adding texture without going overboard.

The lyrics are often about war, and sometimes political, such as references in "Buried in the Justice Ground" and "Axis of Evil," that show Angelripper is not afraid to give his opinion on current world happenings. Thus, Sodom contains a more thoughtful take on metal lyrics and in a tangible way encapsulates a period of time in the world at large.

Above all else, this album has the elements that are prerequisite to a truly thrashing, fist banging, metal album. The riffs are filled with the right ratio of nastiness, melodicism, and down-played soloing sense that characterizes Sodom's music. Angelripper's bass propels the rythm along with the unrelenting force of thrash drums, and his voice provides the album’s aggressive narative.

Sodom is very impressive. The band has kept its sound planted firmly in the roots of thrash, while evolving steadily and creating fresh material that rules on record and live. Sodom has maintained their consistent excellence and their latest release never disappoints! (9.5/10)