The Summary Judgment Reviews:
Title: M-16
Artist: Sodom
Label: Steelhammer/SPV
Release Date: 10/23/01

Rating: 4 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Moloch (8/7/02):
    When I was handed this album to review I said to myself " Why is this band still around?" Well, after listening to M-16 once I took my foot out of my mouth and answered, "Because they still kick some serious ass!" This album is a one constant, 80's style thrash attack the way it was meant to be. Sodom is part of Germany's thrash metal trinity along with Kreator and Destruction, and while I haven't heard what those two bands have been up to in recent years, I must say that Sodom remains as true as they were twenty years ago.

    M-16 is a concept album about the Vietnam War containing such songs as "Among the Wierdcong," "Napalm in the Morning," and "Marines." The very last song is a cover of "Surfin' Bird," a song which was featured in the movie Full Metal Jacket, I believe. Apparently the band even went to Vietnam to learn about the effects of the war. According to the liner notes this album continues "a long tradition of politically committed and socially conscious albums," which I think is great because it seems to me that in the 80's bands seemed more politically than their successors. Metal lyrics don't seem to have much social substance anymore.

    For those who have never heard Sodom, they have that German thrash sound akin to Kreator and Destruction, but on this album at least, there is definitely a taste of older Slayer channeling itself through my speakers. This is, of course, is a good thing because while Slayer itself has been influenced by Nu-Metal garbage there are still other bands who keep it real by playing fast and aggressive thrash.
    4 out of 5

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