German thrash metal veterans Sodom will release their new studio album, "Epitome Of Torture", on April 29 in Europe and May 7 in North America via Spv/Steamhammer. Vocalist/bassist Thomas "Angelripper" Such, guitarist Bernd "Bernemann" Kost and new drummer Markus "Makka" Freiwald recorded a total of twelve new tracks (plus a MotÖRhead cover) which "present Sodom as more diverse and multi-faceted than ever," according to a press release.

"'Epitome Of Torture' features not only your typical Sodom fare, but also two or three numbers which are slightly more moderate and melodic than what people have come to expect from us," says Angelripper, "so wait and see!"

"Epitome Of Torture" track listing:

Limited-edition digipak:

01. My Final Bullet (04:40)
02. S.O.D.O.M. (03:46)
03. Epitome Of Torture (03:31)
04. Stigmatized (02:56)
05. Cannibal (04:19)
06. Shoot Today - Kill Tomorrow (04:01)
07. Invocating The Demons (04:25)
08. Katjuscha (03:43)
09. Into The Skies Of War (03:51)
10. Tracing The Victim (04:46)
11. Waterboarding (05:06) (bonus track)
12. Splitting The Atom (04:28) (bonus track)

Jewel Case:

01. My Final Bullet (04:40)
02. S.O.D.O.M. (03:46)
03. Epitome Of Torture (03:31)
04. Stigmatized (02:56)
05. Cannibal (04:19)
06. Shoot Today - Kill Tomorrow (04:01)
07. Invocating The Demons (04:25)
08. Katjuscha (03:43)
09. Into The Skies Of War (03:51)
10. Tracing The Victim (04:46)

2LP (colored vinyl):

Lp 1

Side 1

01. My Final Bullet (04:40)
02. S.O.D.O.M. (03:46)
03. Epitome Of Torture (03:31)

Side 2

01. Stigmatized (02:56)
02. Cannibal (04:19)
03. Shoot Today - Kill Tomorrow (04:01)

Lp 2

Side 1

01. Invocating The Demons (04:25)
02. Katjuscha (03:43)
03. Into The Skies Of War (03:51)

Side 2

01. Tracing The Victim (04:46)
02. Waterboarding (05:06) (bonus track)
03. Splitting The Atom (04:28) (bonus track)
04. Ace Of Spades (02:36) (bonus track)

"Katjuscha" has little to do with the same-named folk song by Mikhail Isakovsky, but is about the Russian rocket launcher which has been responsible for death and destruction thousandfold.

"The Katjuscha has been produced since World War Ii and is still used today," the Sodom frontman explains. "It's been responsible for the death of more people than Stalin's organ. To name such a deadly weapon after a girl is as grotesque as giving the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima the code name 'Little Boy'."

It's obvious that Sodom hasn't changed its scornful view of the world, presenting an album in "Epitome Of Torture" that is as uncompromising as ever in musical as well as lyrical terms.

"Unfortunately, there's still plenty of inspiration for angry lyrics around," says Angelripper. The bitter thrash metal attack "Waterboarding", which deals with torture methods, fits perfectly into this context.

"It always surprises me how inventive — in the most negative sense of the word — people can be when it comes to torturing others," states the vocalist. "At the same time, 'Epitome Of Torture' features not only typical Sodom numbers, like the title track, our new hit 'S.O.D.O.M.' and 'Stigmatized', the toughest Sodom number in ages, but also two or three recordings which are slightly more moderate and melodic than what people have come to expect from us." Angelripper is referring to songs such as "Cannibal" and "Tracing The Victim", which allow Bernemann to present his impressive musical skills, as well as "Into The Skies Of War", on which Angelripper allowed himself to be inspired by icons such as MotÖRhead and Tank. "Luckily, it's impossible to hide my influences," he says.

"Epitome Of Torture" was produced by Waldemar Sorychta (Grip Inc., Enemy Of The Sun), whose expertise as a sound engineer and audio magician thoroughly enhanced Sodom's previous Cd, 2010's "In War And Pieces". Angelripper says: "Waldemar is a true authority. He doesn't let you get away with anything, he knows all our weak spots. Which occasionally makes working at the studio a little demanding, but at the end of the day, it's all worthwhile, as the result shows." The Sodom frontman describes the sound on "Epitome Of Torture" as "hard as nails and contemporary, without ignoring our tried-and-tested old-school attitude."

"Epitome Of Torture" will be available in four different formats: a limited-edition digipak, including two bonus tracks and a poster; regular jewel case; as a double gatefold vinyl, including three bonus tracks; and as a digital download. The cover artwork featuring Sodom's popular "Knarrenheinz" logo was developed by graphic designer Meran Karanitant, who has previously worked with Six Feet Under, Hatebreed and Dimmu Borgir, among others.

Sodom will film a video for the song "Stigmatized" later this month with Roax Media (Sodom's "Lords Of Depravity" volumes 1 and 2, Volbeat, The Mob Rules) in Berlin.

"Sodom haven't had an official video clip for some time, so it's about time we did one," says Angelripper. "That's why the mini film will be uncompromising, a shocking clip which our fans can look forward to!"

Sodom's latest Cd, "In War And Pieces", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 64.

Sodom in 2010 parted ways with drummer Bobby Schottkowski due to "personal and private problems between Tom and Bobby," according to a statement released by the band.

Sodom's current drummer, Markus Freiwald, previously played for the German bands Despair and Flaming Anger and was involved with the Voodoocult project. In addition, he played percussion as a session musician on the Moonspell album "Irreligious" and is featured on the 1996 Lp "Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers" by Greek extreme metallers Rotting Christ.