SODOM Preparing To Enter Studio

Bassist/vocalist Thomas "Angelripper" Such of veteran German thrashers SODOM has issued the following update:

"The current economic problems have overtaken and finally reached the music business, too. Also, the labels have to suffered, and in our case, this applies to [SODOM's longtime] label SPV. This is also applied to the artists when it comes to the well-planned releases which had to be deferred. But now SPV is newly built up and ready for action. They are currently concentrating on the remainder of the bands like us. Therefore there will be no barrier. Finally, we have to file here and there in the studio to our and your satisfaction.

"There has never been a SODOM album which is so wide-ranged, as powerful and as typically SODOM as this one.

"At the moment we are searching for a new studio which is able to fulfill our ideas of a high-quality production.

"We will start the recording in summer so as to we are able to release the album in fall or pre-Christmas [period].

"At this point I'd like to thank you for your patience one more time."

As previously reported, SODOM is putting the finishing touches on its long-awaited new DVD, "Lords Of Depravity - Part II", tentatively due this summer.

Commented Angelripper: "The time has come. After we [sifted through the] vast stuff we've collected over the last 15 years we are currently editing the DVD which will [hopefully] be finished [sometime in] the next month. The whole creation will offer you over five hours only of SODOM's finest. You had to wait for this DVD long enough but, guys, your patience will be [rewarded]. [According] to our producer, Ronald Matthes, it [will] be the most extensive music project he has ever [been involved with] and [produced]. At the moment I'm not [in a position] to talk about [a provisional] release date but the DVD will be available in stores this summer and [in time for] the festival season, for sure."

SODOM issued the "Lords of Depravity - Part I" DVD in the U.S. on February 21, 2006 via SPV. The first of two double-DVD sets contained the SODOM history from 1982 to 1995 plus live footage from concerts in Sofia and at the With Full Force, Wacken Open Air and Rock Hard festivals.

SODOM will play two U.S. headline shows in May:

May 26 - House of Blues - West Hollywood , CA
May 28 - Gramercy Theatre - New York, NY

SODOM has been confirmed for this year's Maryland Deathfest, set to take place May 28-30, 2010 at Sonar in Baltimore.

"Agent Orange", the classic 1989 album from SODOM, was re-released on February 1 (Germany: January 29) via SPV/Steamhammer. The CD comes in a high-class digipack and will include a bonus disc. The extensive booklet contains rare photos and liner notes by bassist/vocalist Thomas "Angelripper" Such. The LP comes as a double gatefold album with printed inner sleeves and three bonus live tracks.

Video footage of SODOM performing the song "Remember The Fallen" at last year's Bloodstock Open Air festival on August 14, 2009 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, England can be viewed below (courtesy of Dave Ingham a.k.a. YouTube user "triptykon").

The band's latest album, "The Final Sign of Evil", was released as a double vinyl package on February 1, 2008 via SPV Records. The LP features re-recordings of the material from the German thrashers' classic first EP, "In the Sign of Evil", plus no less than seven bonus tracks, all of which were originally written during the "In the Sign of Evil" era or earlier but were never officially released. As a special bonus, the album featured return appearances by drummer Chris Dudek (a.k.a. Witchhunter) and guitarist Josef "Peppi" Dominic (a.k.a. Grave Violator),both of whom were featured on the original 1984 EP.