Thomas ‘Angelripper’ Such of Sodom receently slammed KISS for their $2K photo fee.
In a new interview with RapidMetalFire, the vocalist was asked about expensive VIP concert packages that offer fans perks like good seats, autographs, band meet-and-greets, soundcheck access, and backstage tours and he replied: “I hate it. I don’t want it,”
He added, “We had it when we played with Kreator at the ‘Klash Of The Ruhrpott’ festival [at Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen in Gelsenkirchen, Germany in July 2024], with Destruction and Tankard. They did it. If they’re gonna do a signing session, [fans] have to pay for it.”
“I hate it. This has nothing to do with metal. Some bands sell backstage tickets, so [fans] get the chance to say hello to the musician or get a plaque or whatever, and pay 500 euros, whatever,” Such further explained.
Then, he gave KISS as an example and said, “With KISS, they’re gonna do it. And if you get one one photo with KISS, you pay $2,000, and [they] to go the next [fan]. This has nothing to do with heavy metal. This is not what I have learned in the metal scene.”
Shinedown’s Barry Kerch had previously slammed KISS’ marketing strategy. In a July chat with Rock 100.5 the KATT FM’s Cameron Buchholtz, the host brought up KISS and their merchandise, then asked Kerch if Shinedown had been offered things like beer or whiskey.
Kerch replied, “Yeah those things have happened and here’s the thing, I’m not going to put my name or my band’s name on anything that we wouldn’t either actually use or are a part of. It’s like yeah I could sell a whiskey but none of us are really whiskey drinkers. When it comes to beer, it’s much like hot sauce. I’m the beer drinker. I’m the hot sauce guy. The rest of the guys aren’t as much.”
“So it definitely has to be a passion project and something that truly represents Shinedown. We’re not just putting stuff out there. No offense to KISS but it’s not just about making the money off the merch. We also want to actually have something that we are part of,” he noted.
Such will perform with Sodom on March 15, 2025, at the Metal Diver Festival. The band is also set to play at the Chile Metal Beer Festival on March 23rd.
