Persecution Mania

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Persecution Mania
SodomPersecutionmania.jpg
Studio album by
Released1 December 1987
Recorded2–22 October 1987
StudioMusiclab Studios, Berlin
Genre Thrash metal Black metal
Length34:39
Label Steamhammer/SPV
Producer Sodom
Sodom chronology
Expurse of Sodomy
(1987)
Persecution Mania
(1987)
Mortal Way of Live
(1988)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]
Rock Hard 8/10 [2]

Persecution Mania is the second studio album by German thrash metal band Sodom, released on 1 December 1987 by Steamhammer/SPV. The album marked the beginning of the change in sound from having elements of thrash metal, speed metal and black metal to mostly being 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.

Contents

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. [3]

Track listing

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

No.TitleLength
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
European CD release tracks
No.TitleLength
10."Outbreak of Evil"3:32
11."Sodomy & Lust"5:14
12."The Conqueror"3:29
13."My Atonement"6:05

The European CD release has a rerecording of "Outbreak of Evil" and the Expurse of Sodomy EP as bonus tracks. The cassette has only the re-recorded "Outbreak of Evil" as a bonus track.

Personnel

Sodom
Additional musician
Production

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References

  1. Review on AllMusic
  2. Rock Hard review
  3. "Sodom - Persecution Mania | Releases | Discogs". Discogs .