Sodom + Divine Chaos
The Underworld, Camden, London
20th February 2015
Review by Jarod Lawley
Photos & Videos by Jo Blackened
The name “Sodom” has been on every Londoner’s lips as the anticipation has been rising and building for the coming of the thrashing masters, who are now into the third decade of the career.
Opening act Divine Chaos (4/5) are obviously here to pay homage to the headliners. Their onstage gratitude is met with a feedback of Sodom chanting by the fans without delay.
As the sole support band for the night, the quintet seem energetic and animated, as they bust around the perimeters of the triangular stage.
Vocalist Benny F slurps from his beer and instantly demands to see a circle pit; and although this sharp request is met by few at first, audience enthusiasm gradually rises with shouts of “We love you, you wankers!” Showing some adoration amongst the more than tipsy crowd.
Melodic sensibilities stick well, and the vicious twin guitar attack prevails to allow the virtuosity of the musicians shine. The blend of genres the group incorporate work particularly well live, helping to engage a larger proportion of the audience and draw them further to the front.
Front man Benny is so energetic onstage, it makes the tiny platform on which he performs seem more like a WWE wrestling ring.
These guys certainly know how to start the night, and set a party atmosphere inside the bustling venue.
Divine Chaos Setlist
The rowdy chants of “We love you Sodom” would lead a blind man to believe that they had started playing football matches at the Camden Underworld, but really this is just the rousing atmosphere that precedes the arrival of Sodom (4/5).
The last band of the “Teutonic big four” to hit London recently was Essen based crew Kreator, and all seem to be desperately excited to see the trio step out onto the stage.
The venue choice may seem small with a bursting capacity of five hundred, the high ticket price (twenty five pounds on the door) has discouraged few, and opening number “Final Bullet” is dastardly.
The much loved cover “Surfin’ Bird” is met with a rapture like response, as the whole floor turns into a swirl of black t shirts, caught in a mosh around the Underworld’s infamous central pole.
The intense heat of the venue is scorching but not as brutal as the attack of Persecution Mania favourite “Christ Passion” as it’s hurled forth.
Guitarist Bernemann fights alone on the six-string front, but his crunchy riffs and chaotic solos cut through the flurry of double kicks and Angelripper’s noticeably German angry and foreboding shrieks.
Screams for “Nuclear Winter” are not met, but much to mass delight requests for “Ausgebomt” are. Although the three-piece whips up a great serving of thrash fury, it has to be said that credit for the wild atmosphere and true 80s spirit comes from the fans, as the band never really shifts onto top gear.
An enjoyable performance, but not the best Sodom die-hards could have hoped to witness. Some walking out of the venue mumble complaints about the band’s loss of passion over recent years, but those who leave clutching sore limbs and bruised will undoubtedly have no such gripes!
Sodom Setlist
For more video footage, please click HERE: www.youtube.com/user/Altercarnated/videos
