SODOM • Obsessed By Cruelty LP

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Steamhammer Records 1986
I forget exactly what the story is behind this record, but 2 versions of it were recorded and both of 'em were released. Maybe they lost the masters or something, and had to redo it... I dunno, it doesn't make any sense to me, that a record is actually pressed, and then lost!?! They woulda had to lose the masters, the mixes, and the pressing plates... OK, so I'm the hugest skeptic you'll ever meet, but that all seems like a bit much doesn't it? I don't know for sure, but I'm relatively positive that this is the rarer, first version of "Obsessed By Cruelty" cuz every time I hear this record, see it posted online, and have rebought it on CD, it's been the "other", inferior version. I prefer this one for a bunch of reasons: the production is better (though maybe not as heavy), it features "After The Deluge" which is listed on the "other" version, but isn't actually on the record, and Witchhunter's playing is over the top - sounds like he's barely keeping it together, but it's some of the most memorable drumming of all time... plus every song is killer. "After The Deluge" was always my favourite, so it really sucks that it's missing from the more common version - for that reason alone you need to download this. "OBC" was the first SODOM record I bought, and it has remained my favourite (and one of my all time faves too). Leave a comment and let me know which version you prefer, or fill me in on the details re: the different versions. Whatever you do, download it and enjoy!
DOWNLOAD: Sodom - Obsessed By Cruelty.rar (74.17 MB)

11 comments:

Erich said...

I seen you have that Black Death on reavy hotation - used to have this, but like most of my metal records, sold it in 85. Would you consider ripping it? I remember it being really good and kinda corny at the same time.

Erich said...

Oh yes, Sodom. When they released the second or so demo tape, I sent them a letter saying how much theysucked and how Hellhammer destroys them etc. Really dumb fan boy letter. To my surprise, I got a pretty long response from maybe Angeltripper or Grave Ventilator or so, very kind and polite, in the sense of "oh yeah, I see, well, Hellhammer is a great band, no question, we're just trying to make some music you know" haha, it was so embarrassing for me.

Alcolm X said...

I don't actually own the BLACK DEATH record. It's one of my great record buying misgivings, that I didn't buy it when I was a kid, and had the chance. I wasn't sure what to make of the cover - I couldn't tell if they were serious or what. Too bad, cuz it's such a great album! I downloaded it from Lockjaw.

VimFuego said...

effen sweet! my Sodom discog was not complete without this version and this had become non-existent. "not as heavy"? are you nuts? the other one sounds like it was recorded on tinker toys (the detuned rototoms of this version aside though). this one has the gtrs in tune which is always a plus. now I can trash that 60min BASF normal cassette that I've been hanging on to for years. I wonder if they reveal any of the mystery behind the dual versions of this thing on the DVD doc?

Erich said...

Cheers Alcolm for the download link! Now I know again why I sold it in the first place - it's really really horrible, haha. Now I'll try Sodom.

Alcolm X said...

I've been doing some investigating re: the different versions of OBC. The album was recorded twice because the record company rejected the first version (this ended up becoming the North American vinyl pressing, and all the CD pressings), while the rerecorded version (the one I've posted here) became the European vinyl pressing. It makes sense that the rerecorded version has the extra track "After The Deluge", cuz it has a different guitar player on it - Destructor, the guy who recorded the majority of the album had left, they got a new guy and recorded an extra song with the newbie. So it seems like the fuck up occurred when it came time to do the CD, and they used the the wrong version. It's mildly unsettling that they deemed the shit version of OBC acceptable for North America, but not good enough for Europe.

Anonymous said...

From what I remember (though you are better off asking ChorazaiM from MEGIDDO, he's a huge Sodom/Bathory fan), alcolm X's story seems right.

I read that the original tapes were lost in transit, so they had to re-record the album. Then the originals showed eventually,and it was pressed also.
I thought this was a LONG time before any black /death metal made it to cd though.
Personally, I don't remember much of a difference,since their debut was the best record they have done.
-Yosh Shmenge

Zack said...

The story behind the two versions of the record is this:

They recorded one version of the record, and then got signed to Steamhammer. They hated the mix and so had them rerecord it. Since then they had written another song, After the Deluge, so that was included as well. So that is what went on the Steamhammer pressing. When they released it in the US, somebody fucked up and sent the old master tape from the previous recording. But it has the same basic layout as the Steamhammer version with After the Deluge listed. So the US version was actually recorded first.

mahdi said...

Unfortunately, this file seems to be missing from the server. too bad, I really wanted to get my hands on it.

Alcolm X said...

I think it was removed by the label.

Anonymous said...

The link is DEAD. Any chance of a re-upload? Thanks a lot in advance mate.