So, THOMAS “ANGELRIPPER” SUCH from the German thrash legends SODOM just sat down with Chaoszine and basically said, “Tour buses? Nah, I’d rather chill.” When asked if putting SODOM’s touring on ice was a tough call, the dude hit ’em with: “Yes, because when you make a break or you stop something, the time is always uncomfortable, I think. The record company, they told me, ‘Oh, you release a new album. You have to go on tour. You have to play festivals.’ I know. But it’s my decision… I need more time for my family, for my hobbies, for my good old friends or time for myself.” Sounds like even thrash gods need a Netflix-and-huntin’ break. (Fun fact: Angelripper’s hobbies include hunting—very metal, but for deer.)
Tom dropped some more wisdom: “My doctor said, ‘You are in very good condition for your age, but slow it down a little bit.’” Proceeds to clarify he’s not retiring, just swapping tour vans for “home office” vibes. “Maybe I come back in April ’27… or whenever. No pressure, dude.” Classic grandpa-energy flex.
He also name-dropped TOM ARAYA from SLAYER like, “Y’know, neck issues? Not me, but… I just wanna do NOTHING sometimes.” Then he roasted life on the road: “Airports? Hotels? Hard pass.” (Fun fact: SODOM’s thrash siblings in the German “Big Four” include KREATOR, DESTRUCTION, and TANKARD—the latter basically writes love songs to beer.)
Before you panic, SODOM ain’t dead. They’re still drowning in tour requests, including collabs with HEAVEN SHALL BURN and those “Big Four” gigs. Angelripper’s just allergic to FOMO: “I love my fans, but I also love myself. Sue me.”
MARK YOUR CALENDARS, THOUGH: SODOM’s new album “THE ARSONIST” drops June 27 via SPV/STEAMHAMMER. The whole squad—ANGELRIPPER, FRANK BLACKFIRE, YORK SEGATZ, and TONI MERKEL—cooked up this firestarter. Check the spicy lyric video for “TRIGGER DISCIPLINE” below.
Oh, and in case you missed it: They unleashed the EP “1982” last November, and their 40th-anniversary album “40 YEARS AT WAR – THE GREATEST HELL OF SODOM” (October 2022) got a glow-up from artist ELIRAN KANTOR—the guy who draws nightmares for KREATOR and GWAR. Their 2020 banger “GENESIS XIX” even had cover art by JOE PETAGNO, the madman behind MOTÖRHEAD’s Snaggletooth logo. Legends supporting legends!
