German Thrash Metal legends, SODOM, have released the official lyric video for their new single, “Taphephobia.” The song is featured on the band’s upcoming studio album, “The Arsonist”, out on June 27th via Steamhammer.
Tom Angelripper says: “ ‘Taphephobia’ is about an abnormal phobia of being buried alive as a result of being incorrectly pronounced dead. Drummer Toni Merkel, who is also an excellent guitarist, contributed this song and helped to make the album even more versatile.”
Dimitris Kontogeorgakos of Chicago-based webzine Metal Kaoz recently conducted an interview with SODOM frontman, Tom Angelripper, to discuss the band’s upcoming album.During the interview, Tom revealed he’s going to take a break from music scene in general, prioritizing family life and personal well-being.
“I take this as a break from the music scene in general”, Angelripper stated in the interview. “Like I told you, I don’t have so much time to spend with the band, to spend touring nowadays, you know. I have some other things to do, you know.”
“I don’t wanna set myself on a pressure,” he added. “I don’t wanna come back, I don’t think about it, you know. Maybe the time will come, I dunno. I just wanna be at home, and that’s it.”
We all know that good music is always also a question of sound. To this end, the human factor is crucial — along with the right equipment, of course — after all it’s about authenticity and individual personality. With that in mind, Sodom have come to a logical conclusion: To enable the most natural production possible, the drum parts on their latest album “The Arsonist” were recorded using a 24-track analog tape machine.
No studio tricks, no digital overdubs, or, to quote frontman Tom Angelripper: “No plastic! The difference in sound compared to today’s standard drum productions is amazing and has had a positive effect on all the instruments. Naturally, time and effort as well as costs were also higher, but we’re happy to fork out for a superior result.”
However, it’s not only the complex production process that testifies to the band’s exceptional creative spirit, but also their diverse songwriting, which saw all four SODOM musicians — the aforementioned Tom Angelripper (vocals, bass), Frank Blackfire (guitar), York Segatz (guitar) and Toni Merkel (drums) — involved in the development of the material on “The Arsonist”.
Pre-order here.
Tom Angelripper continues: “Frank contributed those typical SODOM riffs and hooks again, whereas York favors more epic songwriting. As a perfect complement to both of them, Toni, who is also an excellent guitarist, contributed a number of songs and helped to make the album even more versatile.”
Live dates:
June
18-21 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhell Festival 2025
July
2-5 – Ballenstedt, Germany Rockharz 2025
SODOM lne-up:
Tom Angelripper – Vocals, Bass
Frank Blackfire – Guitar
York Segatz – Guitar
Toni Merkel – Drums
“The Arsonist” tracklist:
1. The Arsonist
2. Battle of Harvest Moon
3. Trigger Discipline
4. The Spirits That I Called
5. Witchhunter
6. Scavenger
7. Gun Without Groom
8. Taphephobia
9. Sane Insanity
10. A.W.T.F.
11. Twilight Void
12. Obliteration of the Aeons
13. Return to God in Parts
