Their best album in 25 years - and no Udo? Whaaaaa?!I have to admit, when I first heard that Accept had replaced UDO, and they were going to put out new record, I was prepared to hate it. After speaking to UDO, and hearing the early samples that the band had posted on their website, with new vocalist Mark Tornillo (ex- TT Quick), it was obvious this was going to end poorly for the metal pioneers from Germany. Being a fan of the band for so many years, I felt obligated to give their new CD The Blood of Nations a fair shake, and thank goodness I did. This CD, is pure and simply, amazing. This could be the best CD the band has put out since Metal Heart (1985). Not to take away from the records the band did with UDO in the 90's, because there was some solid material on those CD's, but with Blood of the Nations, the band has taken it up a notch, and delivered a classic Accept record.
This CD is a throwback to the classic Accept sound, but with a more up to date production. Thanks to veteran producer Andy Sneap. Songs like the first single Teutonic Terror and the title track, will command you to throw your fist in the air and sing along. Tornillo sounds great and doesn't try to be an UDO clone. Mark's vocal style is similar to Dirkschneider's, but with better versatility. We all know that UDO is not the best ballad vocalist, and this is where Mark shines, especially on the track Kill the Pain. Hoffman and Co. sound great and have returned with a strong enough album to get the Accept machine rolling again. This CD rocks! Go get it!
Bottom Line: Accept is back and they are here to stay. The best CD the band has produced in over 25 years, and believe it or not UDO was not involved. Nay sayer's must check this one out, because Tornillo delivers the goods vocally and the rest of the band kills musically.
- Ragman has his balls to the wall