Sodom guitarist Frank ‘Blackfire’ Gosdzik recently criticized the band’s current inactive status following the release of their latest album. He addressed the situation in an interview with RapidMetalFire.
Gosdzik expressed his disappointment with Sodom’s decision to take a touring hiatus after releasing “The Arsonist,” their 17th studio album. He called the situation “a pity.”
“With Sodom, we had released ‘The Arsonist’ recently, like in — was it July? So, we had a new album out, and nothing happens with Sodom. And, yeah, it’s a pity, though. I don’t know,” he said. “If you bring out a new album, I think you wanna go and play live and wanna go on tour or wanna play live somewhere — festivals at least, or something. But I don’t know. Why bring out a new album and don’t play live? This is kind of a waste of the album, I think. So, yeah, actually, it’s a pity, though, but what do you wanna do?”
Despite the situation with Sodom, Gosdzik emphasized his commitment to staying active in the music scene through his solo project.
“So, I keep being active. I’m working hard right now and trying to get shows, festivals, writing new material for a new album, new Frank Blackfire album. I hope I can bring it out next year. And, yeah, we are [in a] pretty good mood in the band. And, yeah, I’m surprised that people are interested in Frank Blackfire shows. Of course it’s all a little smaller than Sodom — we play little club shows and smaller festivals — but I’m really happy. And I have to continue, because this is my earnings. I have to earn some money to survive, because I live on music. I have to make a living out of it. I’m still there,” he continued.
The guitarist also discussed the practical realities of making a living as a musician at his age.
“I don’t wanna get a regular job or something. Nobody’s gonna take me, [at] almost 60 years [old]. They’re not gonna [hire me]. And anyway, what should I do? The only thing is guitar teaching, music teaching, anything like that — that’s what I’m gonna do. Or anything that has to do with guitars or music and everything. Even help out for other bands, I would do that too, if it is an interesting thing. And, yeah, that’s how I’m surviving right now,” he explained.
The tension between Gosdzik’s desire to tour and Sodom’s current hiatus reflects deeper issues within the band’s leadership and future direction.
Blabbermouth reported that “The Arsonist” was actually released on June 27, 2025, via SPV/Steamhammer. This makes Gosdzik’s timeline reference slightly off. The album marked another milestone in Sodom’s extensive discography. However, its promotional cycle has been notably limited due to the band’s decision to step back from active touring.
The hiatus stems from band leader Thomas “Angelripper” Such’s personal circumstances and health concerns. Arrow Lords of Metal revealed that Such explained his reasoning for slowing down in 2025. He cited family obligations, health issues including spine and neck problems, and the need for recovery after intense post-pandemic touring schedules.
“I wanna slow down everything in next year. I don’t wanna stop with the band, but I wanna slow down,” Such stated in a recent interview. This provides context for the band’s current inactive status that has frustrated Gosdzik.
Despite the current hiatus, Sodom has maintained some presence in the metal scene. BraveWords noted that the band performed at RockHarz Festival 2025 on July 3 in Ballenstedt, Germany. This suggests that while they’ve scaled back significantly, they haven’t completely withdrawn from live performances.
The situation highlights the challenges faced by veteran metal bands balancing personal health, financial needs, and fan expectations as they navigate their later careers in an increasingly demanding music industry.
