Tom Angelripper, leader of German thrash legends SODOM spoke with Italy's SpazioRock recently about a number of topics including their new DVD, Lords Of Depravity II, which is out now throughout Europe and will be released on July 13th in the North America via SPV/Steamhammer. Here are a few excerpts from the chat:

SpazioRock: Lords Of Depravity represents an unforgettable moment of your career. A great show recorded at Wacken, with the original line up and many guests. A real tribute to your career and, obviously, a great tribute to Chris Witchhunter. What did you feel the first time that you see the DVD?

Angelripper: "What we wanted to do was a 25 years anniversary show and we wanted all the ex-members on stage. Many promoter wanted this concert, but, you know, I’ve been so many times to Wacken and I have a good relationship with the promoters there. They told me: “If you do this in Wacken you are going to have a big stage and everything you need”. And I was so glad to have all the ex-members on stage, for me it was an historical moment. I was so happy we had some cameras that were recording the show. This concert will be the main one on the DVD and I was so surprised about the result. There are good sounds, we got a good mix. I think this is something special for the Sodom fans and also a tribute to the former members. I know Witchhunter was having massive problems with his alcohol abuse, he couldn’t play many songs and that was very sad. But with our drummer Bobby we managed to play some rarities and some classics."

SpazioRock: Now, I want to jump to the past. Sodom with KREATOR and DESTRUCTION, are the pioneers of European thrash metal. What did it mean to you living that unforgettable period of history?

Angelripper: "Ahh, you’re right. These three bands started thrash metal in Europe, that was the best time of my life. When we started in 1982 we wouldn’t expect to be here, after almost 30 years, as professional musicians. There was a particular time and culture here but I was so glad I was the first to try that kind of music. I know I have inspired many black metal bands and other metal bands with Sodom. I’m so glad that, after all these years, also Kreator and Destruction are still going on. My dream is to do a tour with the three bands one day. The problem is that we have different record companies and also we have to keep alive the business. You know, the situation in Europe and in Germany is really bad. So, for now we’re looking forward for the next Sodom album and then we will see how it will go touring with other bands."

SpazioRock: Were there many differences between the European scene and the Bay Area one?

Angelripper: "I think there were big differences. In Europe, people who were coming from the Ruhr area, they were coal miners and they were coming from a working class. People coming from the Bay Area, they were different. I think they had rich parents to pay their guitars and they dreamt of becoming rock stars. My father used to tell me to get a job, to work and fuck music. I tried to work very hard as a coal miner and then I formed my band. Then, when I left my job in 1989, my dream of living on music came true. I didn’t have to go to the mine anymore, I just had to make music and stay together with the other guys. If you listen to the Bay Area bands, you know, drums are aggressive, SLAYER is the most aggressive band and I also like EXODUS, but they do different music. We got a contract in 1984 and we barely knew how to play instruments. We were bad musicians, but we got a contract! In America I think they should have experience, good gears to rehearse with, you know. But the music was new and the fans wanted something new."

Read the entire interview here.

For complete Lords Of Depravity II DVD details visit this location.