Sodom

HELL’S HEROES | HOUSTON, TX | 03.23.2024

Photo by Sam James @samjames.jpeg


An Outbreak of Maniacs


A billboard sized banner with Sodom’s logo flaps softly in the cool Texas night. Smoke drifts lazily across the stage. I’m exhausted. Three full days of nonstop intensity spent in a mosh pit can really do a number on you. My legs hurt. My ribs are sore from a stray elbow. I’m incredibly over stimulated. All that fades away when the stage lights go low and the intro music hits.

Photo by Sam James @samjames.jpeg

Photos by Luke James @lukejeffjames

Sodom is on stage. I’m in the crowd. I can no longer move on my own free will. Bouncing from person to person. Snapping pictures when I have enough space and balance to get my camera up. Is the focus working? I see someone raging. I grab them by their shirt and take a picture. Flash! Then I’m off again. A fell voice in the crowd calls my name. Luke? WHATS UP DUDE! Another picture and I’m off.

Photos by Sam James @samjames.jpeg

Spit out back in the pit watching the crowd swirl by I was overwhelmed by the energy I felt. Songs I never thought I’d hear in person were blaring in my ears. Is that “Surfin’ Bird”? I have no proof to back this up, but that had to be the largest circle pit to ever take place during that song. Freaks clad in denim, leather and someone in a red speedo throwing fists in the air screaming “B-B-B-B BIRD! BIRD! BIRD!” at a cranked-up tempo that The Trashman could never dream of hitting. They played everything you want to hear, but the fact they chose to play that showed the joy they all have being on stage together. Sharing and celebrating the legacy of Sodom.

If you thought about going but didn’t then all the FOMO you feel is valid. I can say without a shred of uncertainty that it was the best weekend of music I’ve ever experienced. Not just because of the bands, absolutely savage lineup, but the people. People from all over the world gathered with a singular focus. HEAVY METAL.

Haven’t you heard? Hell’s Heroes is as real as it gets.

Written by Luke James @lukejeffjames

Photography by Sam (Willey) James @samjames.jpeg | Crowd Photography by Luke James


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Youth Of Today