The Great Southern Brainfart has issued their first interview of 2011, with SODOM frontman Tom Angelripper. The following is an excerpt from the interview:

Q: The latest album In War And Pieces was just released and it sounds so fresh and full of life. After 30 years of doing this, how do you keep it from getting old or dated?

A: "I think we always have so many ideas for new songs and we love what we do. We love what we do. That is the secret. I think the fans really push the band to keep on going. Sodom is a band that never stops and we will never stop and never change our music or style. We love to do the music because we are metal fans."

Q: You seem to have a really strong connection with your fans.

A: "It’s very important that we always be in contact with the fans. When we do a show we always try and drink some beers, talk about music and talk about everything. That’s what we do. We are not rock stars. A lot of bands go to the hotel or they go to the bus after the show and leave the fans behind. We always stay. That’s why I’m looking forward to the metal cruise (70000 Tons of Metal) On the boat we have one or two shows and then I have four or five days to connect with the fans and drink some beers. That is fantastic. [laughs]"

Read the full interview at this location.

As previously reported, former Sodom guitarist Dirk Strahlimeier - who played with the band from 1995 through 1996 - has passed away.

Angelripper has issued the following statement: "As I learned from a reliable source, our ex-guitarist Dirk 'Strahli' Strahlmeier died this month in a hospital in Düsseldorf, Germany. Currently we don't know the exact circumstances of his death. Strahli played on the album Masquerade In Blood which was released in 1995 on SPV. After that we had lost contact with him. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

R.I.P. Brother!"