{{use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox album | name = Persecution Mania | type = studio | artist = Sodom | cover = SodomPersecutionmania.jpg | released = 1 December 1987 | recorded = 2–22 October 1987 | venue = | studio = Musiclab Studios, Berlin | genre = Thrash metal | length = 34:39 | label = Steamhammer/SPV | producer = *Sodom *Harris Johns | prev_title = Expurse of Sodomy | prev_year = 1987 | year = 1987 | next_title = Mortal Way of Live | next_year = 1988 }} {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r18364|pure_url=yes}} Review] on AllMusic</ref> | rev2 = Rock Hard | rev2score = 8/10<ref>[http://www.rockhard.de/index.php?smod=p209MJ56rKOyMTyuWz1iMUIfo2qAo2D9pz9wn2uupzDhpzI2nJI3pl5xMKEunJkJnJI3Wzqlo3IjFHD9pzuspzI2nJI3WzAioaEyoaEWEQ0kAQZ1BFL%3D Rock Hard review]</ref> }}
'''''Persecution Mania''''' is the second studio album by German thrash metal band Sodom, released on 1 December 1987 by Steamhammer/SPV. The album marked a change from thrash metal, speed metal and black metal to mostly just thrash metal. It defined Sodom's sound and exemplified the thrash metal genre at a time when it arguably peaked in popularity. The album bore similarities to the music of other German bands such as Destruction and Kreator, from which the term "Teutonic" thrash was coined.
Despite what the cover may imply, the lyrical themes of the album are centred more around politics and war than religion. This is largely due to guitarist Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik joining the band. He brought new songwriting aspects to the band that gave it a much more organized and clearer sound, as well as helping Sodom to carve a lyrical niche that it still practices to this day.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} The outro guitar lead in track 9, "Bombenhagel", is the German national anthem, "Das Lied der Deutschen".
''Persecution Mania'' was re-released in 2000 as part of a double pack with the ''Obsessed by Cruelty''/''In the Sign of Evil'' split. Both CD releases include the ''Expurse of Sodomy'' EP.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.discogs.com/Sodom-Persecution-Mania/master/12608| title = Sodom - Persecution Mania {{!}} Releases {{!}} Discogs| website = Discogs{{cbignore}}}}</ref>
==Track listing== {{track listing | all_music = Chris Witchhunter, Frank Blackfire and Tom Angelripper, except where noted | total_length = 34:39 | title1 = Nuclear Winter | length1 = 5:26 | title2 = Electrocution | length2 = 3:26 | title3 = Iron Fist | length3 = 2:45 | note3 = Motörhead cover | title4 = Persecution Mania | length4 = 3:40 | title5 = Enchanted Land | length5 = 4:01 | title6 = Procession to Golgatha | length6 = 2:01 | title7 = Christ Passion | length7 = 6:13 | title8 = Conjuration | length8 = 3:44 | title9 = Bombenhagel | length9 = 5:11 }}
{{track listing | all_writing = | headline = European CD release tracks | title10 = Outbreak of Evil | length10 = 3:32 | title11 = Sodomy & Lust | length11 = 5:14 | title12 = The Conqueror | length12 = 3:29 | title13 = My Atonement | length13 = 6:05 }}
The European CD release has a rerecording of "Outbreak of Evil" and the ''Expurse of Sodomy'' EP as bonus tracks. The cassette has only the re-recorded "Outbreak of Evil" as a bonus track.
==Personnel== ;Sodom * Tom Angelripper - vocals, bass * Frank Blackfire - guitars * Chris Witchhunter - drums
;Additional musician * Harris Johns - guitar solo on "Bombenhagel"
;Production * Johannes Beck - cover painting * Harris Johns - engineering, producer
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Sodom}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Sodom (band) albums Category:1987 albums Category:SPV/Steamhammer albums Category:Albums produced by Harris Johns