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SODOM
M-16 (20th Anniversary Box Set, Deluxe Edition)
2021 BMG

German thrash legends SODOM are responsible for some of the most important albums in the history of thrash metal, such as Agent Orange (1989), Code Red (1999) and 2001’s monolithic M-16, a concept album about the Vietnam War. October 2021 marked the 20th anniversary of the release of M-16, and to commemorate this event, SODOM has released an impressive box set, certain to please fans. There are three versions available, a CD, a two-LP version and a 4-LP deluxe boxset edition, which is covered in this review.

Everything comes in a quality, durable box designed like an M16 ammo box. A sticker on one side has the SODOM logo and says “Explosive Music”. Inside, there’s a metal dogtag and chain stamped with the original release date, along with the phrase, “In Emergency Listen To Sodom”. I really appreciate the bullet-shaped USB drive with all four albums on it. This is a cool idea, and it certainly made it convenient to crank the music up in my car. The snazzy gatefold 180-gram orange double vinyl looks amazing as well. Axel Hermann’s cover art of Knarrenheinz with his M16 rifle has never looked better. Well, the included 33”x23” poster looks pretty damn impressive, I suppose.

The music? The album contains all original 11 songs remastered, and they have never sounded better. Classics such as “Among The Weirdcong”, “Napalm In The Morning” and the title track sound fresh. I won’t go into to much opinion about this album since it’s 20 years old, but realistically – there isn’t a bad song on the album. Even the cover of THE TRASHMEN’s novelty hit “Surfin’ Bird” is cool, so if you’ve never heard the album, do yourself a favor and buy it. And even if you already own it, this set would be worth your investment. Included as well are two bonus live tracks, “Remember The Fallen” and “Blasphemer” (both from their performance at Wacken in 2001). The two bootleg live LPs included are fantastic finds, each with songs from different shows. Side one features four tracks taken from the band’s performance at Wacken in 2001. Side two features three songs taken from the band’s performance in Tokyo in 2002. Side three has three songs from the band’s performance at the Bang Your Head Festival in 2003, and side four has three songs from a performance in Bangkok, Thailand in 2002.

As an album designer, the real treat for me personally is the 44-page book included in the boxset, designed like an M16 rifle user’s manual. In it, there’s a story from bassist/band leader/songwriter Tom Angelripper, wherein he explains his inspiration in writing the album. There are tons of never before seen photos of the band in a live setting, in military fatigues, in war poses and on military vehicles taken on location in Thailand and Vietnam, that go along with journalist Manfred Eisenblatter’s essay on taking these photos and the release shows that were played in Bangkok. Huge props to graphic designer Roland Demus on the design of this book and everything here! Overall, this deluxe M-16 boxset is amazing, and well worth owning, especially if you’re a fan of SODOM or thrash metal in general. This could be your Christmas present to yourself. So treat yo’self.

5.0 Out Of 5.0