Интервю с Onkel Tom Angelripper – SODOM
In relation to the upcoming anniversary concert of the thrash metal giants SODOM in Sofia on 15.09.2021, we interviewed band’s frontman – Onkel Tom Angelripper exclusively for Metal Hangar 18 audience.
Every Sodom concert is a big event for Bulgarian fans, and now a jubilee is coming up, what can we expect from it?
For us, a visit to you is always something very special. We have always felt very comfortable. This time we want to remember the concert we played in Sofia 30 years ago. We will play the same setlist as we did back then.
How do you like the current line-up of the group? Is it optimal at the moment?
Yes absolutely. We are now like a family. The boys are happy to play at Sodom. We always have lots of ideas for new songs and we rehearse regularly. I have always missed this unit very much with old line-ups
You’ve released a great album again. Where does the Genesis XIX come feom? Is it related to the latest global events?
It is always important to take a stand and to expose and criticize social and political grievances. I don’t like those fantasy lyrics that are scribbled by so many metal bands. The texts need content and statements. Historical backgrounds play a very important role. Here’s a quick explanation of the songs on Genesis XIX:
BLIND SUPERSTION – The idea of re-recording this intro from the 88 tour arose in the rehearsal room. We were just in the process of planning the setlist for the upcoming gigs and had decided on the old records. And bang, the child had a name. We are committed to our band history without ever forgetting where we come from.
SODOM & GOMORRAH – For me the ideal opener. This title contains all Sodom typical trademarks. In the 80s, songs were sometimes arranged very differently. The song structures were more complex and tailored exactly to the singer. Countless masterpieces (including many titles written by ourselves) that we love so much to this day served as knitting patterns. You can hear that the bands used to work out their songs together in the rehearsal room, which, by the way, we still do. Lyrically the song describes a very delicate scenery from the old cities of S&G. The good Lord didn’t like that at all and so he let his anger rain down on the cities in the form of fire and brimstone…
EUTHANASIA – A typical Thrash grenade that can only come from Frank`s pen. To me the song sounds like a lost treasure from Persecution Mania times and it catapults me back into a glorious past. In the dark chapter of our own history, this word (originally Old Greek „death“, „dying“) was misused to justify atrocities and murders as „assisted dying“. From today’s perspective, however, everyone should have the right to choose between life and their own death.
GENESIS XIX – One of the first titles we wrote after the line-up change in 2017. For me he embodies the dawn of a new “Sodom” age. The combination of melancholy riffs and lightning-fast Thrash attacks have predestined the song as an opener at the last live shows. The text is again about the destruction of S&G by God’s hand (in reality it was probably a meteorite impact …) and the story of „Lot“ and his daughters. The Bible provides quite a bit of historical background and one learns a lot about the life of the people at that time. Even “unbelievers”, to whom I count myself, should still have a look.
NO LONGER MY COUNTRY – We had this mixture of blast beats and mid-tempo riffing less often in our past. Now it was time again. Especially since we hired a drummer who has mastered such musical finesse. I fondly remember the quote from our sound engineer Siggi: “Merciless – one of the best Sodom songs of all time”, which I can only agree with. An English text was originally intended for this title. But why not something “German” again? I had my childhood in the 60s and 70s, my youth in the 80s. And in spite of all prophecies of doom and do-gooders; everything was really better there. We currently live in a shitty world full of fear and insecurity. But I am thinking more of the next generations who will have to pay for our bad policies. To top it all off, the Corona crisis. It melts the ice of ignorance and reveals a huge pile of shit full of social injustices and grievances.
GLOCK `N`ROLL – He’s one of my faves on the album. The nasty main riff by Yorck goes (at least for me) through the bone, the pre-chorus gets under your skin. The solo part embodies “heavy metal” in its purest form. Also with this title I am happy to have a drummer who knocks out the beats so precisely and hard, like a souped-up Glock 20 in fully automatic mode. The text is once again about a serial killer. He does not kill out of greed, revenge, or political frustration. He assassins to see a person die in front of his own eyes. When choosing the song title, a deep reach into the box of wordplay, a visit to the shooting range and a strong sip from the Jacky bottle helped).
THE HARPOONEER – A song as profound as the Pacific Ocean and yet as powerful as a tsunami. And once again our guitarist Yorck proves himself to be a first class composer. In retrospect, the song reminds me of Slayer’s „Show no mercy“ in places, but that would certainly be completely unintentional. In contrast to the songs „Tribute to Moby Dick / Silence is consent“ from the „GWYD“ album, which unfortunately deals with the still current senseless and massive slaughter of whales, this is about the then vital beginnings of whaling and history of Captain Ahab and his bitter vengeance campaign against a single creature of God, waged to the death. The novel of the same name by Herman Melville is of course required reading, and the film adaptation with Gregory Peck is especially important.
DEHUMANIZED – “We don’t play this music to make friends” … that was one of our mottos in the early 80s. In principle, that has not changed until today. And sometimes it flows out of us and then completely taboo and unrestrained, unleashed and aggressive. In the end all that remains is black ashes and desperate indignation over an uncontrolled and inhuman world in which we live, in the form of this musical performance. And that’s exactly how the text came about, born in my thoughts about a future that we no longer have and that leaves me completely stunned…
OCCULT PERPETRATOR – Another masterpiece from Frank’s pen. Here you can clearly hear his passion for pointy and bone-dry Thrash riffs paired with his preference for classic rock guitarists from the 60s / 70s. The middle section may sound a bit unusual for the inclined listener, but the title is and remains awesome. We know very well that we don’t have to go along with every trend and that there is basically no suitable drawer for us. But personally I am always happy about a successful and creative composition. It’s about the eternal struggle, a few few, for a just world and the hopeless endeavor to fight and defeat an enemy smaller than a grain of sand (quote from Ursula von der Leyen … hahaha …). And only the privileged peoples of the north will benefit from an effective vaccine. The virus will mutate worldwide and at some point everyone in the southern hemisphere will head north and gain access to our comfort zones at home, either with or without violence, whether we like it or not.
WALDO & PIGPEN – A typical thunderstorm from Frank’s pen. Just like the songs they loved so much on our Agent Orange album. W&P (these were their code names) are two helicopter pilots who came under heavy fire during their deployment on enemy territory in Vietnam. Actually nothing unusual, but the audio recordings of the radio communication between the two were rediscovered in 2016. You just have to put yourself in their almost hopeless position to understand what fear of death means. Pigpen (Mark Garrison) later published a book about his experiences in this pointless war.
INDOCTRINATION – A little punk? Why not? When it’s fun. Add a little chorus rumble and a creaky bass sound, and we already have the ideal bouncer for upcoming Sodom shows (2026 ???). But don’t worry, a hail of bombs stays in the set,) I’m really looking forward to it… Cheers. Oh, the text: We have to be careful that we do not at some point eke out our meager existence as mindless creatures and stagger over these planets as meaningless figures. Maybe as chipped individuals who no longer have their own opinion? Remotely controlled by the implanted data carrier in our heads? Science fiction? Who knows…
FRIENDLY FIRE – So that’s it… my favorite song on the album. Can’t believe it or even describe how much I love this title. I am sure that FF will be the direction for the next album. And now I even believe that the skilful arrangement and combination of the notes of our twelve-step tone system makes the music (…in general…) so diverse. My God, if only we had known that back then,)). It is often the case in a war situation that soldiers have to point their weapons at their own comrades who are entrenched in the vicinity of enemy positions. The sacrifices were accepted for the overall victory of a battle. Also, in large numbers, supposedly opposing aircraft were brought down from the sky…
How has the global pandemic changed the metal scene? What do you think about the online concerts that some bands did last year?
Unfortunately, many bands didn’t survive that. But we got through it well. We spend more time for the songwriting during the lockdown, but that’s the only positive. This pandemic is a disaster, especially for artists, actors and musicians. We had to cancel or postpone all of our shows last year. State aid is also completely inadequate. Art and culture don’t count for much in Germany. In principle, we have a career bar, that’s a shame. But who has the solution to the problem? Who knows when it will continue in normal way? The whole world now seems to be out of control…
As a band, Sodom had been around for about 40 years, what is the main idea that makes you move forward, that makes you go on?
I think that it is very important to stay creative and healthy. This music is my life and I don`t want to think about an end. I have so many plans for the Sodom`s future. So, we want to enjoy this music as long as possible. And never change your roots and never forget where you come from. But in the end, all the success and stability is the result of hard working men ,) But the time will come when I will say goodbye.
In your opinion, could the global pandemic be a precondition for the establishment of a new totalitarian order?
I also believe that this pandemic could have effects on the entire world politics. Nobody knows where this virus comes from. I don’t worry about myself, but all of our mistakes will be paid for in the coming generations.
In Bulgaria, Sodom has a somewhat of a cult status, what do you think is the reason for the huge popularity of the band here?
We were the first real metal band to play behind the iron curtain and we were regularly with you again. The concert on our DVD that we recorded in Sofia also plays a major role in this. We have a strong fanbase in Bulgaria and that makes me really proud
If on 15.09. no more than 200 people show up to the concert, how would you react?
Hahaha…. I never mind. We gonna play anyway, I does not matter how many people are there.
What is the difference between Sodom in the early years and now? Do you think that you are now at your apogee as a band?
We’ll, there isn’t much of a difference. We are one of the very few bands that have stayed true to their style, but we always try to write better songs, but keep the spirit of the good old days.
Is there a musician you wanted to bring to Sodom but failed to do so?
NO!!!!
Is there a Sodom album you would like to rewrite and which one is it?
No. Each album has its own special charm in the original version. You cannot repeat that.
Which of the people with whom you have crossed paths in life you really miss?
Of course, I miss a lot of people from my family environment. Right now, of course, I miss Lars Petrov, who died last year. We were very good friends and often partied together after the shows. I still miss Lemmy, of course. But that’s life. They all stay in my memories forever.
If you could start a new band right now, what would it be?
I think I would start a real punk band one day. I love this music very much. Punk has always been a huge influence on us. You can hear that in many songs. Just leave the normal path and rock without commercial interests.
Would you play the role of Lemmy Kilmister in a movie?
I do not know. I’m not an actor. I’m just thinking about who could cast the role in my film.
A few final words to the Bulgarian fans?
We are very happy to see you all again. We thank you for your support over the past decades. We love you. See you soon.
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#4 написан от tommy sutch (преди 2 години)
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#5 написан от MIROSLAV-VELZEVUL-666 (преди 2 години)
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НЯМАМ ТЪРПЕНИЕ ДА ДОЙДЕТЕ В МОЯТА ДЪРЖАВА.ВЪЛНУВАМ СЕ МНОГО ТЕЙ КАТО ЗА ПЪРВИ ПЪТ ЩЕ ВИ ВИДЯ НА ЖИВО.ДОСТА ДОБРА ГРУПА СТЕ. ЗАПАЛИХ СЕ ПО ВАС КОГАТО ЧУХ ЗА ВАС ПРЕДИ 4 Г И ДО ДЕН ДНЕШЕН ВИ СЛУШАМ С ГОЛЯМО УДОВОЛСТВИЕ.ХАРЕСВАМ И ВАШАТА ДЪРЖАВА.ГЕРМАНИЯ Е ЕДНА НЕВЕ.ОЯТНА ДЪРЖАВА.ОЧАКВАМЕ ВИ В БЪЛГАРИЯ НА 15 СЕПТЕМВРИ.
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- Коментари за тази публикация
Нямам търпение(още 2 седмици) да видим СОДОМ на живо и то на родна земя! Група-култ, достойна за уважение! Надявам се, че доста хора ще дойдат да ги гледат в този им състав – със сигурност ще направят незабравимо шоу! Наздраве!