Year: 2025
Total Time: 45.32
Label: Reigning Phoenix Music
ACCEPT’s legendary album “Balls To The Wall” is one of the top albums of the global Metal scene. It was released 40 years ago and shaped our favorite music. Udo himself have mentioned that he was constantly asked if he was thinking of celebrating this anniversary in some way, but surely the venture of re-recording such a legendary album is quite bold and comparisons are inevitable…
Fortunately, the album that will finally be released on the 28th of February 2025, is an ode to classic Heavy Metal music, from a man who has served it for almost his entire life. Through ten different and special collaborations, but also with technology now on his side, Udo managed to give new life into the ten classic songs of the album, without losing the identity and mainly the 80s’ aesthetic. To achieve this, he collaborated with ten artists from various genres of Metal, of various ages, musical backgrounds and aesthetics, showcasing with this way the impact that this particular album had all Metal subgenres. Depending on the guest, each song acquires a new dimension. For example, “Balls To The Wall”, “Fight It Back”, “Guardian Of The Night” and “London Leatherboys” featuring Joakim Broden (SABATON), Mille Petrozza (KREATOR), Tim Ripper Owens (KK’ PRIEST, ex-JUDAS PRIEST and ICED EARTH) and Biff Byford (SAXON) respectively have an irresistible Heavy Metal feel. On the other hand, Nils Molin (AMARANTH, DYNAZTY) and Ylva Eriksson (BROTHERS OF METAL) with their fresh presence in “Head Over Heels” and “Love Child” (perhaps a personal favorite) brought these Heavy Metal anthems to the present day. Finally, Udo’s collaboration with Doro Pesch (mainly), Danko Jones and Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTERS) on “Winter Dreams”, “Turn Me On” and “Losers And Winners” gave them a genuine, nostalgic tone.
Udo’s biggest success is that he completely respected his past, didn’t particularly change the essence of the songs, realizing their historical value (as if we wanted to paint the Parthenon pink to freshen it up… well, that’s not possible) and chose artists who themselves appreciate the history of ACCEPT and “Balls To The Wall” in particular.
Well played Udo…Well played!
Rating: N/A
Editor: Kostas Boudoukos
Related Link: UDO – Official Page
