SODOM – “Tapping The Vein (Deluxe Expanded Edition)” will be released on Friday

Sodom belong to the Big 4 of German thrash metal. Along with bands like Kreator, Destruction and Tankard, the group has influenced many young bands and still serves as a role model for the younger generation.

Founded in 1981 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, the band can look back on a long list of releases, including classics like “Agent Orange”, but also “Code Red” and the latest studio album “Genesis XIX”.

Another album closely associated with the rise of Sodom is “Tapping The Vein”. Originally released in 1992 via Steamhammer, the album features great thrash metal anthems like the massive “Hunting Season” and the raging “Skinned Alive. The album also continues the tradition of a song with German lyrics. “Wachturm” is the song that made it onto “Tapping the Vein” and shows the anarchic punk vibe that is also part of the Sodom sound. And not to be forgotten is the powerful “Bullet in the Head”.

On November 15th, 2024, Noise/BMG will release a deluxe edition of “Tapping the Vein” featuring a remastered version of the album plus some previously unreleased extras. A special package will also include a redux version of the album and three live recordings. “Live in Tokyo 1992” and “Live in Düsseldorf 1992” are previously unreleased recordings that are part of the bookpack edition as well as “Live in Cologne 1992” which is also known as “The Final Witchhunt”.

“Tapping the Vein” is a raw and untamed thrash metal album. It is a milestone for the band as it is the last release with original drummer Chris Witchhunter and it is a young guitarist, Andy Brings, who made his album debut for Sodom. “Tapping the Vein” is in many ways a cornerstone moment for the band, which will now get some extra attention and focus. It’s a crucial part of German thrash metal that should be part of every collection.