Persecution Mania
Encyclopedia
Persecution Mania is the second album by Sodom
. The album marked a drastic change of sound from proto-black metal
to thrash metal
. As well as defining Sodom
's sound, it exemplified the thrash metal
genre at a time when it arguably peaked in popularity. The album also bore similarity to the music of fellow German bands such as Destruction
and Kreator
, and the term "Teutonic" thrash was coined from this.
Despite what the cover may imply, the lyrical themes of the album are centred more around politics and war than religion. This is largely due to the entry of guitarist Frank "Blackfire" Godznik, who brought new songwriting aspects to the band that gave them a much more organized and clearer sound, as well as help Sodom carve a lyrical niche that it still practices to this day. The outro guitar lead in track 9, "Bombenhagel", is the German national anthem, Das Lied der Deutschen
.
It was rereleased in 2000 as part of a double pack with the Obsessed by Cruelty
/In the Sign of Evil
split. Both CD releases include the Expurse of Sodomy
EP
.
The European CD release (Cat.-No. SPV 85-7509) has a rerecording of "Outbreak of
Evil" and the Expurse of Sodomy EP as bonus tracks:
The cassette has only the rerecorded "Outbreak of Evil" as a bonus track.
Sodom (band)
Sodom is a German Thrash metal trio from Gelsenkirchen, formed in 1981.Along with the bands Kreator and Destruction, Sodom is considered one of the "big three" of Teutonic thrash metal...
. The album marked a drastic change of sound from proto-black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
to thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
. As well as defining Sodom
Sodom (band)
Sodom is a German Thrash metal trio from Gelsenkirchen, formed in 1981.Along with the bands Kreator and Destruction, Sodom is considered one of the "big three" of Teutonic thrash metal...
's sound, it exemplified the thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
genre at a time when it arguably peaked in popularity. The album also bore similarity to the music of fellow German bands such as Destruction
Destruction (band)
Destruction is a German thrash metal band. They are considered one of the "three kings" of the Teutonic thrash metal scene, the others being Kreator and Sodom...
and Kreator
Kreator
Kreator is a thrash metal band from Essen, Germany, formed in 1978, but formalized in 1982 under the name Tormentor. They originally performed a speed metal style with Venom influences. Their style of music is similar to their compatriots Destruction and Sodom, the other two big German thrash metal...
, and the term "Teutonic" thrash was coined from this.
Despite what the cover may imply, the lyrical themes of the album are centred more around politics and war than religion. This is largely due to the entry of guitarist Frank "Blackfire" Godznik, who brought new songwriting aspects to the band that gave them a much more organized and clearer sound, as well as help Sodom carve a lyrical niche that it still practices to this day. The outro guitar lead in track 9, "Bombenhagel", is the German national anthem, Das Lied der Deutschen
Das Lied der Deutschen
The "'" , has been used wholly or partially as the national anthem of Germany since 1922. The music was written by Joseph Haydn in 1797 as an anthem for the birthday of the Austrian Emperor Francis II of the Holy Roman Empire...
.
It was rereleased in 2000 as part of a double pack with the Obsessed by Cruelty
Obsessed by Cruelty
Obsessed by Cruelty is the 1986 debut album by the German thrash metal band Sodom. It was re-released together with In the Sign of Evil in 1988, and as picture vinyl in 2005 by Vinyl Maniacs/EMRmusic....
/In the Sign of Evil
In the Sign of Evil
In the Sign of Evil is an EP released in 1984 by the German thrash metal band Sodom.The EP is widely available as the bonus tracks in the compact disc version of their debut album Obsessed by Cruelty ....
split. Both CD releases include the Expurse of Sodomy
Expurse of Sodomy
Expurse of Sodomy is an EP released by the German thrash metal band Sodom. Some copies were released as a picture disc.-Credits:*Tom Angelripper – bass, vocals*Frank Blackfire – guitar*Chris Witchhunter – drums...
EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
.
Track listing
- "Nuclear Winter" – 5:26
- "Electrocution" – 3:26
- "Iron Fist" – 2:45 (Motörhead Cover)
- "Persecution Mania" – 3:40
- "Enchanted Land" – 4:01
- "Procession to Golgotha" – 2:01
- "Christ Passion" – 6:13
- "Conjuration" – 3:44
- "Bombenhagel" – 5:11
The European CD release (Cat.-No. SPV 85-7509) has a rerecording of "Outbreak of
Evil" and the Expurse of Sodomy EP as bonus tracks:
- "Outbreak of Evil" (3:32)
- "Sodomy & Lust" (5:14)
- "The Conqueror" (3:29)
- "My Atonement" (6:05)
The cassette has only the rerecorded "Outbreak of Evil" as a bonus track.
Credits
- Tom AngelripperTom AngelripperTom Angelripper is the founding member and main songwriter of the German thrash metal band Sodom.- Biography :...
- Vocals/Bass - Frank Blackfire - Guitars
- Chris Witchhunter - Drums