U.D.O. - Celebrator

It is hard to believe that 25 years has passed, since Udo Dirkschneider's first departure from Accept.  It was a bold move, at the time, but Dikschneider was determined to keep rocking and formed his solo band U.D.O.  Even though I miss Udo in Accept, I can't deny that the man has delivered with his solo band.  To celebrate, U.D.O. has recently released a 2 CD set of out takes, remixes and rare tracks from his solo career.   The set is titled Celebrator.  If you're a U.D.O. fanatic, then you may have alot of the bonus tracks on this CD, so as a bonus, he has also included three unreleased tracks: Tallyman, The Silencer and the rocking Artificialized. 

For the most part U.D.O. releases are solid, but you can always count on a few clunkers, fortunately for this compilation, it is mainly rockers.  This is a nice set, especially if you don't have most of the bonus material.  I have to say, the piano version of Balls to the Wall came off as a novelty, and was cute the first time, but doubt it will get played again.  The highlight of the set for me, was the Udo/Raven cover of Born to be Wild (Steppenwolf).  I bought this one a 12" single back in the day, and to my knowledge this is its first release on CD.  Other interesting tracks include a cover of Metal Gods (Judas Priest) as well as the inclusion of the XTC track which is technically a cover of his former band, when he was out.  Interesting.  A nice package for metal fans.

Bottom Line:  U.D.O. feeding us some earcandy before his next release.  A nice compilation of rare tracks, which is essential for any metal collection. 

Standout Tracks: Born to Be Wild, Artificialized, Free or Rebellion and Streets of Sin.

-Ragman is hoping the next U.D.O. CD rocks like this one.