Review by Ben for Sodom - Persecution Mania (1987)

Persecution Mania is where Sodom really hit their straps. While their earlier work has a certain charm, it's messy and immature at times. This album displays a more fine-tuned performance and kept Sodom in touch with bands such as Kreator and Slayer in a time when thrash was hitting its straps. Speaking of Slayer, it's clear that Reign in Blood influenced these German's between the debut full length and this one. Just check out Enchanted Land for complete Slayer worship.

While I do find the album in general to be really entertaining, it is a little bit up and down in quality. Nuclear Winter, Electrocution and Christ Passion are classic, yet Iron Fist, Conjuration and the close of Bombenhagel are less successful. But all up, Persecution Mania is a solid 4-star classic thrash album!