There’s something different in the air this time around for Sodom. For a band that’s thrived on unfiltered aggression and uncompromising riffs since the early ’80s, their latest release carries a different kind of weight. With their new track “Witchhunter,” they aren’t just laying down another blast of thrash. They’re reaching back, honoring a friend, a bandmate, and one of the original architects of their sound: drummer Christian Dudek, known to most as Witchhunter.
Dudek, who passed away in 2008, wasn’t just Sodom’s drummer. He was part of the reason the band took off in the first place. His style was raw, relentless, and right at home in the brutal early days of European thrash. There was no polish, no restraint. Just thunderous beats and a presence behind the kit that pushed the music forward. That energy is exactly what Sodom is channeling on this track, nearly two decades after they last played with him.
The band’s frontman, Tom Angelripper, said the song is more than just a tribute; it’s a reminder of their roots. It’s also a standout on their upcoming album “The Arsonist,” due out this June. The album, which includes 13 tracks, was recorded using analog tape machines—no digital tweaks, no smoothing out imperfections. They wanted it to feel as close to their live sound as possible, and maybe, in a way, as close to Witchhunter’s era as they could get.
It’s not just the sound that’s personal. The video for “Witchhunter” was put together by Andy Brings, who played guitar for Sodom in the ’90s. It’s filled with footage that longtime fans will feel in their gut: memories, moments, and that old-school edge that hasn’t dulled with time.
What stands out most is how grounded the whole project feels. Sodom has always had a reputation for staying true to their identity, but this time, it’s not just about sound or style. It’s about memory. It’s about respect. It’s about pausing the relentless pace of creating, touring, and surviving in the metal world to look back and say: he mattered.
“The Arsonist” still brings the fire. Tracks like “Trigger Discipline” and “Return to God in Parts” show they’re not pulling punches. But there’s a thread of reflection running through the record, and “Witchhunter” is where it surfaces loudest.
Sodom’s not finished, not by a long shot. But in this moment, they’re letting the past have a voice, too. And they’re doing it the only way they know how: loud, honest, and with both feet planted firmly behind the drum kit, where it all started.