Sodom - Lords Of Depravity: Part I DVD

[Liu]

Sodom - Lords Of Depravity: Part I DVD
SPV

Sodom is one of those bands that doesn't really need an introduction. They are one of the big three of German Thrash (the other two being Kreator and Destruction, in case you're an ignorant newbie) and much like the others, they are still going strong well over 20 years since their creation. Lords Of Depravity: Part 1, the band's first DVD set, serves both as a retrospective as well as a hefty live package.

The first disc contains a three hour documentary covering the band's history from their inception up until the Masquerade In Blood era. With the long running time coupled with the decidedly incomplete coverage of the band's total history, the documentary really goes in depth. You'll hear from band members past and present concerning the recording of the albums, the tours that followed and all the inner turmoil that went within. One of the tales contained include the rather infamous story regarding the band's initial signing to Steamhammer Records ("Oh my god! These guys really suck. I just have to make a record with them." -Manfred Schuetz, who signed the band in 1983). Also of note is former drummer Chris Witchhunter, who is obviously drunk while filming his segments.

Despite the large amounts of information offered by the documentary, there are two huge marks against it, both of with are directly related to the other. Firstly, 99% of the dialogue is in German and secondly, the subtitles that are in place for all non-german fans is in a very hard-to-read font. I can forgive the language thing, but the near-unreadable subtitles severely cripples the documentary. Add to that the unfortunate choice of coloring the subtitles white, which often blends with the visuals onscreen, and you got a documentary that falls a bit short of its great potential.

The second disc contains the live portion of the set. The footage on display has been spliced from a variety of different gigs, including the Wacken Open Air, Full Force and Bang Your Head!!! festivals. Some songs are taken from their respective original gigs, while others are a collage of different footage across the various venues. Its interesting to watch a camera shot from a gig played at night switch to a shot from a gig played during the day. The tracklist is culled from every corner of the band's discography, showing preference to the early material and the more recent offerings. While I would had liked better representation for their middle era (especially Tapping The Vein, my favorite Sodom release), there's not a whole lot to complain with what is ultimately offered. Expect the quick cuts that are commonplace nowadays with most DVD releases. There are still many people who love complaining about them, but its pointless and redundant. Just live with it.

In the end, Lords Of Depravity: Part 1 contains well over 5 hours that'll sate your Sodomistic appetite. Despite a few shortcomings, Sodom fans shouldn't think twice about adding this to their collection.


Disc 1:

Three hour documentary


Disc 2:

Live Depravity:

01. Among The Weirdcong
02. The Vice Of Killing
03. Outbreak Of Evil
04. Masquerade In Blood
05. The Saw Is The Law
06. Remember The Fallen
07. Die Stumme Ursel
08. M-16
09. Napalm In The Morning
10. Nuclear Winter
11. Tombstoned
12. Sodomized
13. Eat Me!
14. Code Red
15. Aber Bitte Mit Sahne
16. Der Wachtturn
17. Agent Orange
18. Sodomy And Lust
19. Witching Metal
20. Ausgebombt
21. Ace Of Spades
22. Stalinhagel

Videos:

Ausgebombt
Silence Is Consent
Die Stumme Ursel


Score: 7/10