Sodom "Persecution Mania"

Persecution Mania is the second studio album by German thrash metal band Sodom, released on 1 December 1987 by Steamhammer/SPV. The album marked a drastic change of sound from 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 other 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 guitarist Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik joining the band. He brought new songwriting aspects to the band that gave it a much more organized and clearer sound, as well as helping Sodom to 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".

Persecution Mania was re-released 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.

Track listing

All music is composed by Chris Witchhunter, Frank Blackfire and Tom Angelripper, except where noted.

1. "Nuclear Winter" 5:26
2. "Electrocution" 3:26
3. "Iron Fist" (Motörhead cover) 2:45
4. "Persecution Mania" 3:40
5. "Enchanted Land" 4:01
6. "Procession to Golgatha" 2:01
7. "Christ Passion" 6:13
8. "Conjuration" 3:44
9. "Bombenhagel" 5:11

Total length: 34:39

The first 5000 copies were pressed on white vinyl.

Recording information:

Recorded at Musiclab Studios, Berlin, October 1987. 

Produced by Sodom.