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Sodom > Code Red > Reviews
Sodom - Code Red

Sodom's return to glory - 95%

terrr, December 14th, 2020
Written based on this version: 1999, CD, Drakkar Records

After five legendary records and a bunch of sellout records in the 90s in a fashion similar to almost all thrash groups at that date, 1999 was Sodom's time to shine again. After the travesty that was Genesis XIX, I thought Sodom's entire post-crossover discography sucked ass other than a few select tracks. Code Red proved me wrong and surprised me greatly, however. It was great all the way through.

Again, in a fashion similar to established thrash acts during the 00s and late 90s, Sodom released this as a "return to roots" album, after a bunch of non-thrash releases in the 90s. Although most records of similar nature sucked major ass and were overall disappointments, Code Red really does resemble classic-thrash Sodom, and how good it was. By their return-to-roots release, most thrash bands would've either lost their overall finesse or spirit, or both. Not the case for Sodom.

Instrumentally, it's a great record, whether it's through songwriting or the overall sound of the instruments, and how well they're mixed together. The riffing was, to put it simply, spectacular. While I did feel some corrupting contemporary influences on the riffs, it was mostly true to the roots. They also sounded meaningful. Filled with pure anger. The solos were a bit sloppy and hollow, but the time dedicated to them was low so I can't complain. The leads also complimented the riffs very nicely when needed, especially notable in "Cowardice." Angelripper's vocals were still pretty good here and resembled a mix of Tapping The Vein and Persecution Mania vocals. Although as in nearly all other Sodom records, Angelripper fails to keep a consistent vocal style. Despite this, there were no tracks with half-assed vocals here. The foundational instruments were a bit unnotable, though the bass tone blended remarkably well with the guitars, adding to the already great sound further. Rest of the tones were great and full as well.

Overall, it's a well thought and greatly executed record.

The album opens up with the short and unnotable intro, then kicks you off right into the violence with the opening and title track "Code Red." It's energetic albeit dark, unforgiving and brutal, similar to the fast tracks in Tapping The Vein. "What Hell Can Create" is also a great track for the same reasons. Afterwards, it's mostly songs that are too similar to each other, though they still sound great. What bugs me is the lack of a German-titled punk track present in most other albums, though that won't affect the rating. The album ends without losing any steam with "Addicted To Abstinence"

Certainly one of Sodom's classics.

Highlights: Code Red, What Hell Can Create

Sodom - Code Red - 90%

Orbitball, May 5th, 2019
Written based on this version: 1999, CD, Drakkar Records

One word: MASTERPIECE!! This album is a monument to the Sodom of the old and new. It's totally diverse and noteworthy. The way that the band goes from fast songs to more heavy rhythm ones. They really know how to change things up musically. My first impression of this album totally changed after I heard it a couple more times. My conclusion was written above. The production was the only thing keeping them from getting a full 100%. I think that the guitars were a little difficult to hear, but the riffs/leads were well executed. There are 13 songs on here, but each one isn't very long in length.

Tom Angelripper tears it up on vocals. The Germans do sound similar Tom somewhat like Schmier from Destruction, but he has his own sort of aura to him. I think his vocals mesh well with the guitars. There's no screaming or anything like that at all. Just a hoarse voice throughout. But the music matches to the vocals, hands-down. There are some songs that have a unique groove to them. Not all of them, a lot of them though. I'm missing Sodom of the old lineup but the guitars are still good and Tom is still tearing it up on vocals. This release is anything but boring. It's just different in the sense that it's not your quasi typical thrash album.

The drum pounding is a little flat, hence the err in the production quality. I totally hear this. But still everything is right on cue to the music. I totally respect this band and what they have to offer the thrash metal community. I must say that I like the faster songs more, though all of them are good. Definitely worthy of praise. All of the songs. Everything on here has meaning, it's not just a thrash record made for the sake of a thrash album. They do have much to put out and years to come. I do admit that I dislike some of the newer music that they've put out. If they totally go back to their roots then they'll be more likable.

If you don't own this, do yourself a favor and do own it! Or at least download it on Spotify or play it on YouTube. It may take time like it did with me to get used to. But it's worth it. You'll hear things differently upon a few listens to. And then you'll probably make the determination that I did and call this a masterpiece! It's true though, especially those faster riffs you'll feel the vibe. No matter what anyone says about this album, good or bad, I have my own opinion. I think Sodom really did a quality job in the songwriting in hope to win fans into the understanding their style. It's thrash done the way that they make it that way. That is, German style...

Ceremonial Desecration - 92%

ThrashIsCertain92, July 31st, 2018

Along with “Tapping the Vein” and “Persecution Mania,” “Code Red” is among Sodom's heaviest and most barbaric thrash releases, and is certainly one of their angriest. Sonically, it is also one of my favorites. Bernemann's guitar tone is massive – a huge wall of sound that is thick yet fluid at the same time, completely engulfing the listener's ears with several tonnes of fuzz and crunch when mixed with Angelripper's bass, though the bass guitar isn't as prominent or clangy as it was on their last few releases. This album also benefits from bringing back the colossal drum prominence heard on “Tapping the Vein,” – the snare, toms, and bass drums are so loud that when Bobby is playing at his most rapid, they result in a pulverizing blur rather than distinctive notes that can be picked apart within the tidal wave of guitar abuse. Angelripper is at his absolute most pissed here, showcasing some of the deepest and gruffest vox performances of his career, often injecting that terrifying, Tapping-era growl into songs such as “Liquidation” and “Book Burning.” Seriously, he sounds like an ancient, otherworldly prophet warning all of humanity of an impending doom.

With the exception of a small handful of tracks, all of the material here is as blisteringly fast and brutal as the album cover suggests, in the typical Sodom M.O. of no bullshit or pretense – with all of the songs packing on a lot of riffs in under five minutes, and some of them just under three. The title track is especially savage. The looming and dramatic intro riffage brings us into the frantic mind of a traitor soon to experience the ultimate penalty of committing war-time treason, complete with wailing whammy abuse, primal tremolo riffs, and a pulverizing chromatic refrain. Besides the title track, one of the heaviest and thrashiest songs here (and possibly their entire discography) is the unrelenting follow-up “What Hell Can Create,” which is a nod to “Skinned Alive” with its pile-driving jackhammer drumming and guitar-work, jagged rhythms and soaring chorus; as well as the thoroughly ballistic, helicopter-blade tremolo-driven “Book Burning.”

Having a consistent line up two albums in a row for the first time in a decade allowed Bernemann to further integrate and work with the chemistry of the rest of the band, really finding and settling into his own style here, showing a certain charisma and character that makes every song he is involved in fresh and different – with a sound that is fast, vicious and fairly straightforward yet never primitive or overly simple. This album further establishes him as one of the most distinguished and accomplished of the band's past few guitarists – his crazed riffs and solos can cut through flesh like Knarrenheinz's arm-mounted chainsaw or beat you more slowly and methodically like a spiked mace to the skull. The best distillation of these values is “Liquidation,” one of the band's most wild and hellish tracks, which deviously twists uptempo hardcore rhythms, jerky tempo changes, winding guitar parts, and evil death-thrash overtones into themes of the torture and killing of prisoners of war. The riffage on “The Vice of Killing” exudes pure thrash classicism, with a galloping main riff that reminds me of Dark Angel's “The New Priesthood” in its uptempo spirit. That, when mixed with the abrupt, more winding Slayer-esque triplet riffs and the crazed bridge sections, makes this one of the more standout tracks on the album.

Comparatively, “Visual Buggery” and “Addicted to Abstinence” could come off as rather inconsequential when stacked up against everything else due to their shorter lengths and limited riff-sets, but they have enough energy, fun, speed and heaviness to make them interesting. The compact and catchy as hell former is a miniature crunch-fest with an infectious thrashy groove riff, and the bass-driven later is somewhat of a last hurrah to Sodom's hardcore tendencies, this being the final and perhaps most blistering of their punk-hardened ventures. Additionally, “Tombstone” and “Cowardice” break the mold as the slowest tracks on the album, both of which contain fairly simple main riffs characterized by their stout grooves, with “Tombstone” predating Desperadoz with the cowboy themes, while “Cowardice” is driven by a distinct main riff with an icy, nihilistic atmosphere. Normally, tracks of these paces would easily be buried, but Bobby and Bernemann's rhythmic stomps, the overall bleak heaviness, and especially Angelripper's catchy and pissed snarl make these tracks well-integrated into an otherwise whirlwind of an album, something this band does consistently well.

“Code Red” comes off stylistically closer to “Tapping the Vein” than it does “Persecution Mania” or “Agent Orange” due to the cataclysmic death-thrash edge, though this is generally more level headed and compact in execution, but just as heavy. “Spiritual Demise” is a unique gem on this album in that it relies on Angelripper's engaging, whimsical lyrical imagery to move the song forward more-so than a relentless riff onslaught, though there is plenty of that there, especially when all hell breaks loose after the second chorus; while the militaristic “Warlike Conspiracy” benefits from a catchy swing-like rhythm and psychadelic leads, with interesting lyrics – ala “my deadly art just imitates a vacant, nameless life.” In a similar fashion to the aforementioned, “The Wolf and the Lamb” sucks the listener through a vortex of chainsaw tremolo riffs against more imperturbable drumming and pacing, here presented with somewhat of a dark and stormy atmosphere that help deliver the song's somewhat abstract lyrics. Certainly “The Wolf and the Lamb” is one of the most exciting and sonically unique pieces the album has to offer.

I wouldn't really consider “Code Red” a comeback album as a few others have – as the band has never left. The last three albums, though not quite as good or thoroughly thrash-oriented as this, retained the messy Sodom spirit we all know and love, and were for the most part enjoyable. Not to mention Angelripper always had a penchant for punky, Motörhead-inspired music. The band just decides to slay the listener in a slightly different manner from album to album. In this case, “Code Red” is a more developed release despite similar track lengths, and though it does not have the concept lyrics or epic prose that will dazzel their more sensible follow up “M-16,” its charm lies in the fact that it is a straight up pulverizing thrash fest, containing some of the band's heaviest and most underrated material.

Negative - 84%

Felix 1666, September 8th, 2016

For he’s a jolly good fellow, for he’s a jolly good fellow, for he's... Sorry, I had not realized that the review has already begun. However, nobody can deny that Tom Angelripper is a jolly good fellow. Authentic and persistent, he knows a lot of good tales to tell and he always stayed true to extreme metal. (With the exception of Onkel Tom, Die Knappen and so on...) Anyway, he never released a softener like "Endorama" under the banner of Sodom and unlike Destruction, he did not need a time-out. Consequently, the artwork of "Code Red" shows the raging Knarrenheinz on a bloodthirsty mission. I do not like this kind of painting, but I admit that it is the excellent visual implementation of the musical content.

"Code Red", the second album with Bobby and Bernemann, houses some of the most vehement songs of the band - and you surely know that Sodom's history is full of intensive attacks. One can therefore imagine that the aggressive title track leaves no stone unturned. The wall of sound wants to crush the listener and Sodom open fire. One might think that it is a fairly trite idea to kick off an album with the most powerful number. But do not jump to conclusions, because the maximum degree of ironclad heaviness has not yet been achieved. The third track combines sheer insanity with enormous pressure and the result is amazing. "What Hell Can Create" makes worshippers of extreme thrash grin contently.

This high level of intensity is a feature of "Code Red", although the following songs do not only focus on high speed. "Tombstone", equipped with a Wild West aura, shows the brutality of well executed mid-tempo pieces. Angelripper's familiar voice does not lack of power and he feels obviously well due to his general affinity for cowboy stories (remember his contribution to the first album of "Dezperadoz"). Yet his vocals enrich every track, no matter what topic is being presented. Bernemann's solos do not reach the same level of brilliance. Some of them fail to leave an impact ("Warlike Conspiracy"). But his riffs have the power to split skulls, at least those that shape the highlights of the album. Almost shamefully hidden on the ninth position, one of these highlights attacks with sharpness and its defiant leads. Apart from these features, "The Vice of Killing" kicks asses in view of its good flow, the staccato-like bridge and the memorable chorus - even its solo part is exciting. Better still, the following tracks, "Visual Buggery" and "Book Burning" are almost on a par with "The Vice of Killing" due to their strict and merciless configurations.

The punk influenced closer kills two birds with one stone. Sodom show that they are able to perform different styles of non-conform music. Furthermore, they make clear that they do not take themselves too seriously. The extremely straight "Addicted to Abstinence" has a funny facet without being stupid. But generally speaking, more than 90% of the album are characterized by violent heaviness, metallic song patterns and a pessimistic mentality. Real thrash metal is immune against positive vibes. Thus, "Code Red" belongs to the better outputs of a strong discography. Thanks to the jolly good fellow.

The code for destructive, deadly thrash is red! - 95%

slayrrr666, October 17th, 2013

The ninth full-length from German thrashers Sodom, “Code Red,” sees the band hurl forth a vicious, scathing return to full-throttle thrash that had long been the band’s trademark after leaving all the punk-infused madness behind and go back to what they used to make that made them so good in the first place.

Despite starting off with a slight punk-influenced sound that gradually got worked out in favor of an intense, more technical variant of thrash that is extremely pleasing to the ear, the fact that the band continued to go back to that sound repeatedly throughout their last few albums was a little agitating for they proved that there was a way of combining the two on the previous album to make for an interesting time. Here, however, all semblances of the simplistic rocking tunes that have been at the hallmark of their punk leanings have been stripped away in favor of a return to full-on thrashing glory. Featuring a bigger emphasis on technically-accomplished and skillful melodies that bring the material further into the thrash realm than anything they’ve done in the past few albums, this is a fun ride through which really kicks the thrash segments into more of the focus as the riffs get a lot more technical and complex than the raging-but-simplistic material that was the primary focus of the last couple albums, the drumming is a lot more dexterous while the writing is packed with much more dynamic and varied compositions that, even during several tracks which have a minor influence from their punk days, the more traditional thrash riffs are still in play enough for a complex wave of riffs to flow forth. That really leaves the old-school punk energy to remain the only real point of impact it has on the album, for the tracks are still quite up-tempo and raging enough for that spirit to be a major factor in the tracks, but that’s about it as this one does favor the more vicious form of riffing that tends to be featured in the traditional thrash bands. Several of the patterns here are straight from the bar area school of riffing that might even have this one confused for one of those bands if only the production didn’t give the group away with their trademark dirty vocals, pounding drumming and commanding guitars placed right at the forefront of the album so there’s no doubt at all about who the band is.

Aside from the return to a more technical way of riff-writing, there’s a decided difference in the two halves of the album. The first half of the album offers up a series of songs written around tight, blasting thrash riffs that really do melt the sense of energy and chaos from their punk days with those complex, intricate thrash riffs that are seemingly built to support a vicious brand of thrash the band hasn’t toyed with since their early days. The impetus for the majority of the tracks is the immediate impact, often-times not even waiting to segue from the previous track and just blasting forth with no real chance to breathe or take in what happened on the previous track as it barrels forth into the next one. Usually starting with a blasting, forceful intro that signals the intention right away without really changing things up at all, which does get old pretty quickly and is thankfully dropped on the second half, these tight, raucous openers are then turned into similarly tight, intense thrash tracks full of blazing riffing, absolutely pounding drumming and numerous tempo shifts that show an appreciable talent for variety and complex patterns that was missing on the last few albums. This ends up giving the album’s first half a lot more of a vicious streak that manages to nicely off-set the ambient noise intro and the one slower-paced track but otherwise, this is all about straightforward intensity throughout. As well, these tracks mostly feature the return of a celebrated part of their sound in an extended interlude within the song where the band just thrashes away at length, offering a chance to let their main riff sit comfortably alongside the music for a killer segment that keeps the energy blazing away, which was a part of their sound that had left them for a while but makes a thankful return here on the upper halves’ tracks, making them that much more important and deadly.

By comparison, the second half of the album is more of an old-school love-letter, not so much concerned with straight-up intensity and seems more concerned with letting the compositions breathe with those more traditional, slowed-down yet complex melodies injected into the fray that makes this more of a truer thrash sound. By deciding to drop the brutality these tracks have more of a life to them than the others and gives it more of a personality that’s dependent upon tempo variety and pattern change-up that’s quite fun. There are still a few scattered places of blasting, intense thrash that was found on the first half but there’s a lot more diversity spread out through these tracks which makes them a lot more fun overall. Managing to mix in some mid-paced tracks as well is a big plus here, making for more of a diversity factor than just the different effects thrown in for the full-effect here that makes this a fun overall for it doesn’t just rely on a few new pieces within the songs but rather it changes things up so there’s not just a constant bludgeoning going on but rather carries on the band’s constant tradition of experimenting with their sound on the back half of albums which they’ve done in the past and is carried on here, which is a nice touch and helps to balance the album out as a whole.

The first half of the album is quite enjoyable and gets a lot of good mileage in here from its intense tracks. After a pointless-but-eerie ambient intro with creepy background noises and effective mood-setting, the albums start off proper with the killer title track, full of barreling drumming, technical thrash guitar riffs that retain more of an old-school feel with blazing patterns and a sense of urgency that includes a series of tight riffing, extended thrashing sections of up-tempo material and a violent, chaotic vocal performance to match the music, making for a stellar highlight and equally memorable way to start the album off. Follow-up ‘What Hell Can Create,’ segued immediately from the previous track, offers frantic riffing with tight, controlled patterns full of pent-up, chaotic energy barreling forth with blazing drumming, utterly demented bass-lines and a knack for dialing back on the throttle for an effective series of melodic, extended thrashing segments, making for another highlight. ‘Tombstone,’ with its bass-heavy, groove-filled riffing, restrained tempo and pounding drumming tries to get the track going but it just never picks up the speed as it remains in the mid-range though is still packed with plenty of groove in the riffs amidst the blaring bass, at the very least sounding like it belongs on the second half instead of placed here in the first part. Thankfully, ‘Liquidation’ returns to form with rocking guitar riffs, steady-but-pounding drumming and a relaxed pace soon kicks into full-on thrasher incorporating a punk-like spirit with its blazing pace, simplistic performances and frantic energy though gets some exemplary thrash with a barn-burning solo section. Ending on a high-note, ‘Spiritual Demise’ blasts right in with pounding drumming, up-tempo thrash chops and technical riffing patterns that makes for an up-tempo blazer with an urgent sense of dynamics with a tightness to the riffing that never lets it breathe for too long, creating a steady, impacting song that’s quite enjoyable overall.

The second here, as mentioned, is more-or-less, the experimental half of the album though it’s still within the realms of traditional Sodom experimentation, meaning its killer thrash with a wide variety of different effects thrown in to change things up somewhat. ‘Warlike Conspiracy’ starts off with rocking up-tempo drumming and chugging riffing follow along the quick pace with a tight, blazing pattern that only gets a relaxed atmosphere once it changes to an extended thrash segment which slows the pace and lets the drumming prepare the majority of the time as the guitars chug along. ‘Cowardice’ is filled with charging mid-tempo riffing with pounding drumming carries along a plodding pace that struggles to get any real traction despite a blazing drumming pattern before it kicks into high-gear in the later half with a better sense of pace and speed as a lame shouting vocal tries to make the chorus catchy. That’s changed nicely with ‘The Vice of Killing,’ as the vicious up-tempo drumming and stylish old-school riffing pattern keep the pace up along the way as it blasts away with abandon and full-on traditional thrash riffs that still sound sharp and vicious despite the familiarity due to the intensity of the performances and relentless attacks from the biting riffs, marking a nice addition to the album. The oddly-paced ‘Visual Buggery’ is loaded with sharp, vicious guitars that slowly let the drums take over with a pounding and pummeling pattern that lets the groovy riff thrash away throughout without any real variation in the patterns or rhythms and lets it fade out at the end. ‘Book Burning’ contains vicious, violent riffing and appropriate drumming to compliment the up-tempo pace that lets the guitars take over the first half of the track before the second half turns into a blasting and chaotic drumming performance to compliment the increased and urgent speed with cavernous, epic vocals. The total old-school blaster ‘The Wolf and the Lamb’ features a stylish drumming intro with vicious, biting guitars that blast away with full-on old-school patterns that lets the dexterous drumming take more of a hold as it whips through a vicious rhythm set that’s quite intense and up-tempo that again sounds sharp and vicious despite the familiarity due to the intensity of the performances and relentless attacks from the biting riffs, making it one of the best tracks on the album. Still not totally eliminated from their sound, ‘Addicted to Abstinence’ shows up as a vicious and blasting punk-rocker filled with energetic drumming, tight vicious guitars that whip through their paces with unbridled fury and tons of punk swagger and energy with a simplistic pattern that retains a highly up-tempo and vicious attitude nonetheless, ending the album on a high note and shows off the only real punk part on their album.

As a real, sharp return to all-out thrashing that brings back more old-school riffing patterns, more technical variations than what was being done in their immediate preceding albums, offering up elements that were part and parcel to their sound and bringing back a bigger sense of grandiose formulas that were made-up to present this as a full-on, intense and raging monster of an album in the grandest sense of Sodom’s storied discography. That they sound this focused, this intense and urgent on beating the listener into a pulp after what was an admittedly fun series of punk-influenced albums that showed the band regressing more to their roots rather than evolving forward to blend their deadly brand of thrash with more brutal influences that was more than possible beforehand, to go back to their total thrashing past is a deft move that’s to be celebrated overall, marking this as one of the better efforts in their career and highly recommended overall.

That's what hell can create! - 88%

_angel_fiend_, June 11th, 2013

When I talk about Sodom, the first album that comes to mind is this one... Not because remind me some good memories of youth, when I used to walk to the college having a beer and listening Code Red in my Walkman at the loudest volume, but to consider it, undoubtedly, the best of all their works. It may not have classics like Agent Orange, Nuclear Winter, Sodomy and Lust, Tired and Red, but, in the overall, it brings back the old formula that consolidated thrash style in the 80's and shows a very mature and cohesive band without turn their backs to its violent and aggressive personality.

The record begins with a noisy, annoying and dispensable intro, that soon give way to the title track, which is the best and the heaviest song of the album, showing, with property, a great business card... we barely have time to breathe and the German trio shows us What Hell Can Create: overwhelming riffs, drums fast like missiles and the certain that many metalheads will break their fucking necks!. The prevalent structure of the next songs follow the line present in "Reign In Blood" (which consecrated it): songs with an average duration of 3 minutes, abbreviated and full of energy, virtually ending with the beginning of the next, leaving no time to stop banging! So Liquidation, Spiritual Demise and Warlike Conspiracy sound like a "Sodom tribute" to Altar of Sacrifice and Jesus Saves or Postmortem and Raining Blood... Fast, direct and furious! Even mid-tempo songs, that are usually boring, here are quite interesting, like Tombstone and Cowardice (which gets even nice when accelerating)

Nevertheless, the strongest point of the record aren't those brilliant songs, but its purely thrash essence. It may seem so insignificant, but it drew much attention at the time this album was released, because the old-school thrash was almost ostracized, since its greatest exponents (the "Big Four", Kreator and Sepultura) were increasingly distant from their roots, and amidst all this, a band created in the 80's rescued masterfully the dying thrash metal, releasing an album where every song would fit in any fair classic from the 80's, when everyone took for granted its replacement for nu-metal or metalcore.

The only 'sacrilege' here is the production, which could have been better looked after, the sound was a bit dirty and messy, especially when the bass tones mingles with the double bass drums, however, is not a factor compromising, or coming to overshadow the metallic sheen of this hellish creation!

more like code... does mediocrity have a color - 57%

Noktorn, June 27th, 2011

I imagine that "Code Red" probably allowed a lot of thrashers to breathe a sigh of relief; after 1992's seminal (in my estimation) "Tapping the Vein," Sodom did what a lot of other classic thrash bands from the same era did in the mid-'90s: switch from pure thrash to something different. To be completely fair, Sodom's shift to a more hardcore punk-influenced direction is far less shameful that Kreator's move to erectile dysfunction-rock or Anthrax's shameful embrace of... god, whatever the fuck it was they were doing, but undoubtedly they still left many disappointed who were hoping for at least ONE of the greats to stick with a pure thrash sound. "Code Red" announced Sodom's return to a purer, more intense, less punky thrash style, and really stands as the member of the Teutonic thrash triumvirate that survived the test of time best. "Code Red" ain't bad, even for a band that had been out of the thrash game (more or less) for nearly a decade. Still, something is lacking from this release for me, and I'm still trying to figure out what it is exactly. "Code Red" just doesn't do it for me in the way that previous or even later Sodom albums did, leaving it languishing in a middle-of-the-road position that's the most uncomfortable for an album to be in.

That thing may be that it doesn't sound that much like Sodom, really. As others have said, "Code Red" bears more than a passing resemblance to Slayer, which I'm not going to chalk up to "influence" since the bands basically developed parallel with each other. That being said, the similarity is pretty unnerving at times, and more importantly, the exact form of the similarity. "Code Red" sounds most similar to "Seasons in the Abyss" and occasionally "Divine Intervention"; you know, the albums Slayer released when they were teetering right on the edge of a descent into more or less execrable displays of nu-metal? I actually like "Divine Intervention," but much to this album's misfortune, it sounds a lot more like "Seasons in the Abyss," an album I always thought was the sluggish, sort of senile Slayer album the band crapped out when they had no inspiration. "Code Red" isn't that bad, but the similarity is stark and obvious; if it weren't for Angelripper's vocals and the band's custom style of rolling 6/8 passages, you could hand this to me, call it a product of Araya and company and call it a day.

Moreover, it simply sounds restrained. My pet Sodom album is "Tapping the Vein," mostly because it sounds more like death metal than thrash even if it is, taxonomically, a thrash album. "Code Red" doesn't expand on this; it retracts those influences and makes for a much more straightforward release. It has its moments of aggression: the opening blaster of a title track is probably the most gripping part of the album, and there are other moments throughout where the band shows some vigor. For the most part, though, this tends to sound a little phoned-in and too ordinary for its own good. The songs are rather indistinct and after "Tombstone" I lose track of exactly what's going on with the album- the songs are all very similar to each other and often too midpaced for my liking; the latter half of the album sees some tracks which are almost nothing but midpaced thrash breaks, which brings the sound much closer to later Metallica than I'm comfortable with. Sodom never quite steps over that threshold, but the threat, in essence, is real.

Sodom pulled it together much better on the following album and to characterize this album as a misstep seems sort of inappropriate- I suppose it's more the band finding their feet again than anything. Still, it's easier to pass on this one and get any of the surrounding albums if you're looking for a fix of Sodom. While this is hardly unlistenable, it's one of the weaker records in their catalog, and with a history as extensive as theirs, you might as well set your money towards a more reliable release.

Footprints on your face - 80%

autothrall, February 24th, 2011

Though 'Til Death to Us Unite took some baby steps towards returning Sodom to the rightful monarchy of German thrash, it was Code Red that would fully blow their punk deviation to smithereens and give us exactly what we wanted: unhinged, devastating war thrash, loaded with the aggression and slick, infectious guitar work the likes of which we really hadn't heard since Tapping the Vein, Agent Orange, or Persecution Mania. I actually credit this to the fact that Tom was able to hold the lineup from the previous album intact; it had been quite awhile and it really shows in the tight execution of the new material, with Bernemann rapidly growing into his position as default axe man until the present, with a slew of riffs that hearken back to the glory days when Frank Blackfire was in the lineup.

Code Red isn't perfect, but there are certain songs here which are damned close, such as "Spiritual Demise" with its excellent mid-paced plotting and waltz of grooving, precision guitars that will strain the neck of any non-poseur to the brink of vertebral collapse; and a nice fast break in there which serves as nothing more than to highlight just how good its verses and bridge are. "The Vice of Killing" is like a "War Ensemble" for Sodom, axes charging as if the business of war were about to be joined by a squadron of professional threat assessors and eliminators. But probably my favorite track on the entire album would be "The Wolf & The Lamb", in which Bernemann creates these lightning fast, cascading patterns that collide incredibly with the thick tone and echoed vocals of Angelripper. "Code Red" itself is another of the strongest tracks, but it sounds quite familiar to their previous hits "Agent Orange" and "Nuclear Winter", so it doesn't possess that same surprise as the others.

Otherwise, the tracks are just average to good Sodom fare that's about the same quality as Tapping the Vein. "What Hell Can Create" is sure to thrill fans of the band's more extreme material, while "Addicted to Abstinence" is thankfully the closest the band get to the punkish thrash they'd be engaged in for the past 6-7 years. There aren't any particularly weak tracks to be had here, though "Visual Buggery", "Tombstone" and "Book Burning" get a little lost in the shuffle. Regardless, the mix of this disc is about as pro as the band would find in their career, with the guitars thick and juicy like a human steak lying medium rare on the field of war, the bass delivered with sufficient bombast without going overboard (as on Get What You Deserve), and battering ram drums and vocals. It's kind of exactly what I look for in a Sodom record, even though a good half of the tracks are not exactly memorable. Worth owning if you enjoy the band, however, and I'd easily place "The Wolf & The Lamb" and "Spiritual Demise" on any career playlist.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

A Safe Shelter for the Thrash Fans - 87%

CHRISTI_NS_ANITY8, October 12th, 2008

Code Red is another Sodom album in which something is missing. Since the thrash metal comeback, this band always released good albums that featured some great, easily recognizable songs along with some less memorable pieces of music and this album doesn’t differ. Sodom are now a well solid reality in thrash metal, they have a long career as musicians (at least Tom Angelripper) and they do their job very well, but sometimes I believe they go downhill for some moments and, like the previous Till Death Do Us Unite, there even fillers. By the way, for the heavier thrash metal approach, I prefer this album. Finally the punk influences are gone.

As always, they know also their job when it comes on the production side. It’s always clear, pounding and perfect to sustain the thrash metal assaults. Fortunately, they left behind the too raw and dry out one of the mid-nineties punk/thrash albums to regain something in power and brutality. So, we start this album with the title track that, after a small intro, explodes in all its brutality. The riffs are compact and fast while the drumming is precise and always classic thrash in the ways it’s done. All the instruments are perfectly audible and Tom’s vocals, even not being the ones of the past, are always nasty and raw.

The up tempo sections are really blasting thanks also to the high volumes. “What Hell Can Create” is another hammered in pure Sodom style. The palm muting riffs are fast and they already show something of how the following M-16 would be. The structures are dynamic and the refrains are catchy and brutal. With “Tombstone” we have the first mid-paced track. It’s quite good and dirty in its slow progression. “Liquidation” is a return to the fast pace with fast switches of tempo and sudden restarts. The impulsivity reign supreme here but the mid-paced riffs is groovish and not that good. “Spiritual Demise” and “Warlike Conspiracy” are two examples of goodish tracks but nothing exceptional.

I mean, the fast tempo parts are present but the structure is quite common and not that good as the previous tracks. “Cowardice” is another quite common mid-paced track. The riffs have nothing new or exceptional inside and the band seems a bit tired. The time of “Remember the Fallen” are too far now. A special mention must be done for Tom’s vocals because they are always suffered and they give something more. “The Vice of Killing” is a return to high levels with angry parts and also the whole structure is far different from ones on the other songs. You can hear it. It’s undeniable. In “Visual Buggery” is liked the main riff and the impulsive approach. Even the atmosphere is darker.

“Book Burning” is hyper fast and this time we don’t find the punk elements anymore. Finally, Sodom has learned to play again fast and brutal without filling their sound with punk influences. “The Wolf & The Lamb” has inside a catchy refrain and the riffs are numerous even if the song is never too fast. I’ve always loved this contraposition. The last “Addicted to Abstinence” is the classic fast paced track to close an album. This time a sort of punkish worshipping is present but the guitars are too thrash metal in the distortion to result punk like in the recent past. I like the burden of anger and impulsivity of this track.

Overall, something is changing in Sodom. Globally taken, I prefer this album to Till Death Do Us Unite; it has fewer flaws and less boring parts. Everything is in a more extreme direction and in a thrasher one too, and that’s not an insignificant thing. In Till Death Dom Us Unite I love the first three tracks and they cannot compete with the three ones at the beginning of this album but Code Red hides inside few small gems that are too overlooked, even by the band itself.

Hits And Misses - 65%

Govind, August 21st, 2008

This isn't anything special. If you were expecting a bunch fast paced, riff-laden songs under 3 minutes in length each then you might be contented with this album. And for those who expected a Sodom album will certainly be disappointed. Sodom have managed to put a lot of aggressive riffs into this album but it feels as though they started off very optimistically, then put in a few fillers, then again reignited their passion, only to shove up more fillers again.

The intro is nothing much.The album really kicks off to flying start with "Code Red", easily the best track with aggressive riffing and breathtaking guitar work. The next track "What Hell Can Create" at first sounds like "Code Red Pt. 2" but in fact it is yet another brilliant track with a distinct sound to it. "Tombstone" is of a slower tempo but it completes the trio of songs that get this album off to an amazing start.The three songs that follow are horribly similar, especially "Liquidation" and "Spiritual Demise".They are just 2 and a half odd minutes of riffs, nothing more. Just when you thought you'd wasted 5 $, the album is bought back to life by "Cowardice" and "The Vice of Killing", 2 tracks reminiscent of classic thrash without the raw production.But again, the album goes downhill spectacularly soon after, owing largely to lack of thought behind songs; just simple riffs on a constant tempo.

The production is crisp. Angelripper is in fine form. Bernemann is good at certain parts. Yet the album has failed to live up to its expectaions. It's received 65 basically because the tracks in it are either very very good or absolutely horrible. Also because it's not mallcore (Yes, the time is such that you get a 65 for not sounding mallcore as well)

A great little piece of violence... - 83%

Snxke, July 6th, 2004

Sodom follow the amazing "Til' Death Do Us Unite" with this slightly expirimental "Code Red". I t's not so expirimental as some people have claimed, but the playing/production is somewhat modern compared to past works. It isn't as catchy OR violent as the formerly mentioned record, but it IS very good nonetheless. The playing is oddly compressed and tight, the production is modern and not unlike most releases mastered through Columbia records, and the mood is one of technocratic violence and modern conspiracy being put to sound. Tom Angelripper pays attention to the world around him and the band has grown with his constant awareness to the moods of the changing public. (Though he filters this through the traditional Sodom sound which keeps them relevant, instead of forcing them, like most thrash bands to sell out.)

The amazing "Code Red" has some great stop-start riffing and intense vocals that drive the point home. "Warlike Conspiracy", "The Wolf and the Lamb" and a few others also impress with their compisition/lyrical edge. It's obvious that in his old age Tom isn't going soft on us. This may not be as raw as the early years, now swinging as the last few records...but it's forward thinking, intelligent and somewhat clinical in it's approach to songwriting. Tom knows how to push just enough to please himself, but not leave us (the fans) in the dust of his intended progression. Good show!

Sodom have yet to dissapoint me, even though many old fans have pushed them away. This record shows them growing, but keeping the "more bang for your buck" sound they have always used.

Sodom are still the kings...

6.023x10^23 riffs - 90%

Symphony_Of_Terror, April 2nd, 2004

After all these years, Sodom still is a great band and has changed its sound without selling out like the throng of other trash bands from the 80's. The guitar work and speed are just amazing on this album. These guys shred faster than any other thrash band out there these days.

Every song on this album has a ton of riffs, some fast, some heavy, and some fast and heavy. Code Red has a great intro riff, then followed by a another great rolling riff to carry the vocals through the song. The Vocals are intense and loud, a harsh yelling during the chorus adds some power to this song. What Hell Can Create is cathcy, the riffs and vocals have great rythym and make you want to scream along with it. Tombstone has the best chorus on the album, its delivered with the same style as the Code Red chorus, but with ten times more power and intensity. Tombstone is definatly the best song on the album. From Liquidation to Warlike Conspiracy the album remains good, but offers nothing different than what the first 3 songs did (after the intro). Cowardice has slower riffs delivered with a shreding guitar. It probally has the deepest and most growling vocals. Angelripper extends the chorus when he sings making it sound longer and more death metal. Other than that though the song is pure thrash. The Vice Of Killing and Visual Buggery are more of the same, thrash shreding guitars with harsh vocals done well. Book Burning is the fastest song on this album, just think regular a sodom song, then played in half the time, its fast. The album ends strong with The Wolf & The Lamb and Addicted to Abstinence.

If you haven't noticed, this album is basically a ton great riffs. There are so many in each song, all great, some fast, some slow, most heavy, but they all shred. The solo's are decent, there aren't really that many and are usually overshawdowed by the vocals or riffs. The drums are played well with power and match the guitars and bass nicely, they are just a bit slow though. Overall this is a great album. I think its faster and better than M-16, this is the heavier side of Sodom.

Code Red - 80%

PowerMetalGuardian, April 14th, 2003

Sodom's Code Red is a good example of a heavy metal band in these new years. The band has changed its ways; from fast thrash style riffs and some crude death metal vocals to all out fast blazing 90's style thrash. There are some songs that continue this growling vocals, such as Liquidation, however it is more of a growl, instead of growling vocals.

All these songs kick ass, there isn't a song on this album that doesn't have a heavy riff or fast solo. The best way to describe it is like old school Slayer, like Reign in Blood. You can pick out certain riffs, like the main riff in Spirtual Demise, and say "Wow, is this Slayer?" Even the singing sounds like Slayer, just a pinch of rough low sound though. Especially the drums, the fast paced double bass leaves you headbanging for hours.

I wouldn't say this is the best Sodom album, but it is a nice one to check out. It is good to see that in these times, heavy metal can change and still remain heavy. Plus the production is nice, adding a great intro, and a lot of kick ass songs and added sounds (like the gun sounds at the end of Tombstone). A nice quality thrash/speed metal album, not Sodoms best, but definetly one to check out!