Archive for u.d.o.

Heavy Metal Icons U.D.O. Release New Single & Bonus Track, “Wilder Life”, Off Upcoming Best Of Compilation “The Legacy”!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 17, 2022 by Metal Odyssey

Rounding off a special anniversary year for the band (35 years since foundation of the group as well as launching the debut album ‘Animal House’) and its fearless leader & voice Udo Dirkschneider (who turned 70 this April), November 18th 2022 will see iconic heavy metal act U.D.O. release a career-spanning ‘best of’ compilation, entitled The Legacy, via AFM Records.

The Legacy proves that U.D.O. produced classics throughout their entire career. Their longevity and quality of output is almost unmatched within the heavy music scene. With such an impressive back catalogue gathered within the past three and a half decades, it’s simply an impossible task to compile a double CD of material and satisfy everyone, however, The Legacy is by far the most extensive retrospective the band has ever released. Featuring 33 tracks overall and including songs from all U.D.O. studio albums; the compilation also includes 4 rare bonus songs which a lot of U.D.O.‘s loyal followers will hear for the first time.

Today, U.D.O. has shared one of the upcoming bonus tracks, “Wilder Life”. Only released on the Japanese edition of his latest album, “Game Over”, fans all over the world can now listen to the song right here:

The Legacy is available for pre-order here: https://shop.afm-records.de/u.d.o./

Source: AFM Records

UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER – Announces Plans For A Special Tour Performing (Only UDO Era) ACCEPT Songs In 2016

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, rock music with tags , , , , on August 2, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Udo Dirkschneider - promo photo - 2015 - #MMSAGMLBOT3333033

As reported on the U.D.O. (Official) Facebook timeline:

Farewell To Accept: Metal Icon, Udo Dirkschneider is planning a special tour in which he will perform Accept songs one last time before he closes the chapter for good. Wacken – At a press conference in the VIP tent of Wacken Open Air, legendary metal singer, Udo Dirkschneider dropped some bombshell news on all those in attendance: the 62-year-old cult musician announced his definitive farewell to the Accept song library. On a special tour beginning in 2016, he will perform songs by Accept one last time before he retires them for good. It will be a night of epic proportions.

______________________

During this Accept farewell tour, he will only showcase songs from the Udo era of the band. The German rock staple will close a huge chapter of music history forever. In the early 80´s, the Solingen-raised singer skyrocketed to worldwide acclaim with the band Accept and with his unmistakeable voice. He had several hits such as Balls To The Wall and Princess of the Dawn. Now he has announced that he will perform these much-loved hits on this special tour one more time before he removes them from the set list forever.

“I still love singing these songs live,“ Dirkschneider says. “The songs still are an important part of my catalog and still suit my voice very well. But at some point in your life, it´s just time to close the chapter. There has been so much talk and speculation about Accept, so I just want to give my last definitive musical statement about it and give my fans a chance to see me perform a complete concert of these songs one last time on stage.“

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After this tour, Udo will only play songs from his extensive library of U.D.O. material. After being kicked out of Accept in the late 80´s, he garnered many classic hits with his new band in a long and successful career, such as Animal House, Timebomb, and Man and Machine. “There is enough high quality material to fill a two-hour set with no problem,“ says Dirkschneider. “U.D.O. has been the band where I belong for 18 years and I want to pay tribute to them from now on.“

______________________

The musician will NOT perform this farewell tour under the name U.D.O. but simply as Dirkschneider.

___________________________

For more info:

U.D.O. (official)

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER.

LONG LIVE U.D.O.

LONG LIVE ACCEPT.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

U.D.O. “Navy Metal Night” – Set For Release On August 21st In USA, via AFM Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, rock music with tags , , , , on August 1, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

UDO - Navy Metal Night - promo album cover pic - 2015 - #33MMGMSALB330033

U.D.O. (official) “Navy Metal Night” (available as DVD/2CD & BluRay/2CD) is OUT NOW in Europe!

U.S. release date is set for August 21st, 2015, via AFM Records.

Get it here: http://shop.afm-records.de/index.php…

Hail U.D.O.!

“Navy Metal Night” – Tracklisting:
Blu-ray / DVD:
01 Das Boot
02 Future Land
03 Independence Day
04 Animal Instinct
05 The Hall Of The Mountain King
06 Heart Of Gold
07 Man And Machine
08 Dancing With an Angel (feat. Doro Pesch)
09 Faceless World
10 Ride
11 Days Of Hope And Glory
12 Cut Me Out
13 Trainride in Russia (Poezd Po Rossii)
14 Stillness Of Time
15 King Of Mean
16 Book Of Faith
17 Animal House

UDO - promo band pic - 2015 - #0033MMIL33GMSA0033S

CD 1:
01 Intro (Das Boot)
02 Das Boot
03 Future Land
04 Independence Day
05 Animal Instinct
06 The Hall Of The Mountain King
07 Heart Of Gold
08 Man And Machine
09 Dancing With An Angel (feat. Doro Pesch)
10 Faceless World

CD 2:
11 Ride
12 Days Of Hope And Glory
13 Cut Me Out
14 Trainride In Russia (Poezd Po Rossii)
15 Stillness Of Time
16 King Of Mean
17 Book Of Faith
18 Animal House

__________________________

Source:

AFM Records - logo - white background - 2015 - #MOGNALS

http://www.afm-records.de/

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE U.D.O.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

U.D.O. “Decadent” – A Metal Odyssey Album Review

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music with tags , , , , on March 2, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

UDO - Decadent - promo album cover pic - #201501

4.5 Out Of 5 METAL Fists!

4.5 metal-fists-4-5-album-reviews-metal-odyssey

On February 3rd, Decadent, the fifteenth studio album from Germany’s legendary U.D.O. was released, via AFM Records. I’ll readily admit that this is one of the finest U.D.O. albums ever, with what I consider a whole lot more melodic interplay going on between the guitars and rhythm section. My favorite song on Decadent is Mystery and it’s a melodic Heavy Metal classic already, in my Metal world. This entire Decadent album sounds classic to me and makes for a formidable follow-up to 2013’s Steelhammer studio album.

Drummer Franceso Jovino is an awesome presence on Decadent and has since parted ways with the band. Udo Dirkschneider’s son and band drum tech, Sven Dirkschneider, has since been hired on as the new drummer.

As with AC/DC and Motörhead, fans of U.D.O. are gonna know what they’ll get from this band. With that said, there is a more open spaced vibe about Decadent than previous U.D.O. albums; where the songs sound as if they’ve been crafted for a more widespread consumption of Heavy Metal fans. No worries, this new U.D.O. album is no commercial ticket to Hollywood’s good old boys club. The big guitar sounds on this album are equivalent to an endless bottle of psyche-you-out elixir!

Below. check out the fabulous song Pain:

There’s more rhythm than crunch on Decadent and the great Udo Dirkschneider sings with an enthusiasm that I noticed quickly from the start; this is not a Heavy Metal legend that is forcing his vocals for the sake of making the record. Udo sings as if he is prepared for a world-wide arena tour and his band shall take a back seat to no one. Honestly, this Decadent album plays out that fantastic. It only takes a couple of thorough listens to Decadent for me to realize that Udo Dirkschneider is not interested in resting on any Metal laurels. I respect that to the fullest!

Throw in the fact that all twelve songs are worthy of their own music video and I do declare this being an album of SONGS. Decadent is a grand example of how a Heavy Metal band should leave all the artificial flavors and fillers behind and focus on composition and lyrics. The title track, PainSecrets In ParadiseUnder Your Skin and Untouchable are five other standout songs that really soar for my Metal soul. Very well done, once again, U.D.O.! Metal be thy name – Stone.

UDO - promo band photo - Decadent - 2015 - #4433UDOMO

U.D.O.

Udo Dirkschneider – vocals

Andrey Smirnov – guitar

Kasperi Heikkinen – guitar

Fitty Wienhold – bass

Sven Dirkschneider – drums

___________________________

* For more info on U.D.O.

Facebook: U.D.O. (official)

Website: http://www.udo-online.de/

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE U.D.O.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

U.D.O. – Welcomes Harrison Young As New Touring Keyboardist

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music with tags , , , , on March 2, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Harrison Young - keyboardist - promo photo - #332015 - 2015 - HYMO

As reported on the U.D.O. Facebook page:

U.D.O. is very proud to present our new tour keyboarder Harrison Young. The band is currently rehearsing for the tour. Harrison already became fix part of the U.D.O. family and everybody is highly motivated to kick ass on tour. This is the best U.D.O. ever with a great NEW setlist!!!!

Harrison Young is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and audio producer from just outside of New York City, currently living in the Netherlands. In addition to touring and recording with his own two bands, Earth Minor and The Harrison Young Quartet, he has also appeared on numerous albums including Metal Queen Doro Pesch’s latest release, “Raise Your Fist” and NYC Hip Hop Legend Talib Kweli’s album Gutter Rainbows, for which Harrison provided the iconic piano riff on the #1 iTunes single, Cold Rain.

For the past several years, Harrison has been touring the world with Doro as her keyboardist, appearing at festivals like Wacken, Graspop, and Sweden Rock, in addition to countless headline shows everywhere from Los Angeles to Moscow. In 2013, he sang the official anthem of the inaugural Full Metal Cruise alongside Doro in front of hundreds of thousands of people, at Hamburg Germany’s 824th Harbor Celebration.

Earth Minor - Across The Atlantic In Record Time - promo album flyer - #2014EMHYMO

He also recently released a new album with his long time rock band, Earth Minor entitled Across The Atlantic In Record Time, which is now available worldwide at his website, www.harrisonyoungmusic.com.

Harrison is thrilled to join the U.D.O. team as of this upcoming European tour and looks forward to rocking with you in your city.

UDO - Decadent - promo album cover pic - #201501

The spectacular new U.D.O. studio album, Decadent, is available now! Decadent was released via AFM Records, back on February 3rd, in North America.

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* For more info on U.D.O.

Facebook: U.D.O. (official)

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE U.D.O.

LONG LIVE HARRISON YOUNG.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

U.D.O. “Decadent” – Album Cover Artwork, Release Dates Revealed!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, music news, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on November 20, 2014 by Metal Odyssey

UDO - Decadent - promo album cover pic - #201501

Above is the cover artwork of the forthcoming U.D.O. album Decadent. Metal be thy name!

Release dates are: Europe on January 23rd, USA on February 3rd of 2015, via AFM Records.

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AFM Records - Logo - Large!

Website: http://www.afm-records.de/

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE U.D.O.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

U.D.O. “Steelhammer – Live From Moscow” – Releasing On May 23rd, Via AFM Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, news, rock music, rock music news, world news with tags , , , , , , on March 26, 2014 by Metal Odyssey

U.D.O. - Steelhammer - Live From Russia - promo cover pic - 2014

From AFM Records:

Russia has a special meaning for Udo Dirkschneider and his band U.D.O.. They were one of the very first international artists to tour the huge country of Russia – and their fans are still very thankful until this day. So recording a LIVE DVD to highlight the “Steelhammer” tour was an opportunity the band didn’t want to miss.

It is the first LIVE release of U.D.O.’s new line-up (with Russian band member) which easily convinced fans and critics alike on recent festivals and headlining gigs. The band comes up with an exceptional setlist, incl. many classics that haven’t been played for a long time, fan favorites and tracks from the recent successful album “Steelhammer”. U.D.O. once again prove why they are hailed as one of the best European live bands.

“Steelhammer – Live From Moscow” will be available as DVD/2-CD, Bluray/2-CD and triple-Vinyl in Russian national colors (tricolor).

Track Listing:

01 Intro

02 Steelhammer

03 King Of Mean

04 Future Land

05 Cry Of A Nation

06 Trip To Nowhere

07 They Want War

08 Never Cross My Way

09 Stranger

10 Stay True

11 In the Darkness

12 Azrael

13 No Limits

14 Mean Machine

15 Burning Heat

16 Metal Machine

17 Devil’s Bite

18 Go Back To Hell

19 Timebomb

20 Holy

21 Metal Heart

U.D.O. Steelhammer Live From Moscow - promo album banner pic - 2014

U.D.O.:

Udo Dirkschneider – vocals

Andrey Smirnov – guitar

Kasperi Heikkinen – guitar

Fitty Wienhold – bass

Francesco Jovino – drums

_____________________________________

* For more info on U.D.O.:

Website: http://www.udo-online.de

AFM Records - new logo - 2013 - #1

Website: http://www.afm-records.de

AFM Records Shop: http://shop.afm-records.de

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE U.D.O.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

U.D.O. “STEELHAMMER” – Hammers Through With The Heavy Metal Charge!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on October 10, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

U.D.O. - Steelhammer - promo cover pic!

4.5 Metal Fists Out Of 5!

Metalfistredbckgrndsmall4Half - Metal Fist - metal odyssey

STEELHAMMER marks the 14th studio album from Germany’s undisputed Heavy Metal champions: U.D.O.. Led by the constant and legendary frontman Udo Dirkschneider, U.D.O. has seized the Metal moment in 2013! Steelhammer sounds just like it’s title! The marketing sticker on the CD jewel case states “Heavy Metal Album Of The Year” and that’s not a bunch of hot air by any stretch. I find Steelhammer to stand up valiantly, amongst the best Metal albums of 2013, myself.

What makes Steelhammer pound and pummel so well is the classic age of Heavy Metal sound that these songs are all wrapped up in. U.D.O.’s guitarists (Andrey SmirnovKasperi Heikkinen) have their names written all over the superior Heavy Metal sound that explodes from Steelhammer! Udo’s vocals are so excellent that it’s scary. Long live Udo Dirkschneider!

U.D.O. - Group Photo - 2013 - #1 - promo

Udo’s clean vocals are spotlighted (hugely) with Heavy Rain. A ballad on this U.D.O. album does put the brakes on the Heavy Metal tidal wave that carried me through tracks 1 through 4, nonetheless, it is fun hearing Udo sound so much more calm as a vocalist. After all these grand Metal years and catalog of albums that Udo Dirkschneider has given the Metal community, his ballad is given a horns up from this middle-aged hell rat. Book Of Faith is both a symphonic and diverse way to close out Steelhammer; reminding me that Heavy Metal isn’t always about the riff or blast beat.

Old School Metalheads, U.D.O. and Accept fans just have to salivate over Steelhammer! Younger fans of Metal need to buy Steelhammer and hear a tried and true legend sing Heavy Metal… the Udo way. This entire U.D.O. lineup kicks ass, pure and simple. “Heavy Metal Album Of The Year”? With Steelhammer’s Heavy Metal being this memorable to me, I’m sure it has a credible shot.

U.D.O. - Band Logo - large!

Udo Dirkschneider – vocals

Andrey Smirnov – guitar

Kasperi Heikkinen – guitar

Fitty Wienhold – bass

Francesco Jovino – drums

____________________________________________________

Steelhammer was released in North America, back on May 21st, 2013, via AFM Records.

* For More Info On U.D.O.

Facebook: U.D.O. (official)

http://www.udo-online.de

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE U.D.O.

LONG LIVE UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER.

LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL.

Stone.

U.D.O. “METAL MACHINE” – First Single And Music Video From Forthcoming “STEELHAMMER” Studio Album Are Released Today, Via AFM Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal news, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on May 3, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

U.D.O. - Metal Machine - promo cover pic - 2013

Today, Germany’s AFM Records released the first single and official music video, METAL MACHINE, from the ever legendary U.D.O. and their forthcoming studio album: STEELHAMMER.

Take a listen and look below to METAL MACHINE… a 100% Metal potent offering, from one of Germany’s greatest of Metal bands!

U.D.O. is Heavy Metal personified! Metal be thy name!

BUY THE MP3 FOR METAL MACHINE HERE:

http://afm.musiclogistics.net/releases/52304?lang=en

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STEELHAMMER Release Dates:

May 24th, 2013 (May 21st in USA)

U.D.O. - Steelhammer - promo cover pic!

U.D.O. – STEELHAMMER 

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(Source: AFM Records)

For more info on this forthcoming U.D.O. album release, click on the link below! Whoa!

U.D.O. “STEELHAMMER” – Releases On May 21st In USA, Via AFM Records

The above link is for a post featured on Metal Odyssey, on April 16, 2013.

U.D.O. - Group Photo - 2013 - #1 - promo

Francesco Jovino, Andrey Smirnov, Udo Dirkschneider, Kasperi Heikkinen, Fitty Wienhold

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For more info on U.D.O., click on the links below!

A first album teaser is available here.

http://www.udo-online.de

facebook: U.D.O. (official)

http://www.afm-records.de

http://shop.afm-records.de

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE U.D.O.

LONG LIVE AFM RECORDS.

LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL.

Stone.

U.D.O. “STEELHAMMER” – Releases On May 21st In USA, Via AFM Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on April 16, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

U.D.O. - Steelhammer - promo cover pic!

“Steelhammer” – that’s the name of the upcoming new album of legendary German Metal band U.D.O.. 
On May 24th (USA: May 21st) “Steelhammer” will be released as CD, ltd. Digipak, ltd. 2-Vinyl and ltd. Fan Package.

A first album teaser is available here.

Udo Dirkschneider comments on the cover artwork:
”Our new album is a real battering ram,” Udo says. “That’s why we have chosen this cover. It really shows best that U.D.O. is pure Heavy Metal! U.D.O. is back!”

 “Steelhammer” was produced by Udo Dirkschneider and Fitty Wienhold.

U.D.O. - Group Photo - 2013 - #1 - promo

Francesco Jovino, Andrey Smirnov, Udo Dirkschneider, Kasperi Heikkinen, Fitty Wienhold

____________________________________

Here are the editions and track listings of the forthcoming album “Steelhammer”:

Normal CD:

01. Steelhammer

02. A Cry Of A Nation

03. Metal Machine

04. Basta Ya

05. Heavy Rain

06. Devil’s Bite

07. Death Ride

08. King Of Mean

09. Time Keeper

10. Never Cross My Way

11. Take My Medicine

12. Stay True

13. When Love Becomes A Lie

14. Book Of Faith

THE CONTENT OF THE “STEELHAMMER” BOX SET:

U.D.O. - Steelhammer - Box Set - promo pic

Digi-Pack:

01. Steelhammer

02. A Cry Of A Nation

03. Metal Machine

04. Basta Ya

05. Heavy Rain

06. Devil’s Bite

07. Death Ride

08. King Of Mean

09. Time Keeper

10. Never Cross My Way

11. Take My Medicine

12. Shadows Come Alive (bonus track)

13. Stay True

14. When Love Becomes A Lie

15. Book Of Faith

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Japan Version:

01. Steelhammer

02. A Cry Of A Nation

03. Metal Machine

04. Basta Ya

05. Heavy Rain

06. Devil’s Bite

07. Death Ride

08. King Of Mean

09. Time Keeper

10. Never Cross My Way

11. Take My Medicine

12. Stay True

13. When Love Becomes A Lie

14. Book Of Faith

15. Dust And Rust (bonus track)

U.D.O. - Steelhammer - promo cover pic!______________________________________________

(Sources: AFM Records, U.D.O. Official Website)

For more info on U.D.O., click on the links below!

http://www.udo-online.de

facebook: U.D.O. (official)

http://www.afm-records.de

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE U.D.O.

LONG LIVE HEAVY METAL.

Stone.

U.D.O. “Live In Sofia” Preview-Clip “Heart Of Gold” Available Now!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on November 9, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

On November 9th, the new live documents of German’s Metal icon#1, Udo Dirkschneider and his band will be released. Live In Sofia also marks the end of an era somehow, as the stable U.D.O. lineup that performed together for many years will be shown for a last time. As it became public that guitarist Stefan Kaufmann will be no longer available for the band due to health reasons, “Live In Sofia” will be the last U.D.O. DVD with Stefan.

________________________________________________________________

(Source: AFM Records)

For more info on U.D.O., click on the links below!

http://www.udo-online.de

http://www.afm-records.de

http://www.youtube.com/UDOtubetv

http://webshop.udo-online.com

LONG LIVE U.D.O.

Stone.

AFM June 19th, 2012 North American Releases: U.D.O., AT VANCE, THE MURDER OF MY SWEET

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on May 24, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

AFM Records will unveil a variety of new releases on North American soil this June 19th, including a massive 2xCD collection of rare tracks from the almighty German Metal force U.D.O., the mammoth ninth studio full-length from German neoclassical metallers AT VANCE, and the sophomore album from Swedish Goth-Metal outfit THE MURDER OF MY SWEET.

U.D.O.

Celebrator: Rare Tracks

After 25 years in existence, having toured across the planet and an incredibly vast release catalog including a massive thirteen full-length studio albums, the time has come to unleash a collection of some of the finest and rarest tracks in the storied lineage of German Heavy Metal heroes U.D.O.!

Set for North American release on June 19th, the massive 2xCD Celebrator: Rare Tracks collection bears 25 U.D.O. anthems, accumulating an array of bonus tracks, alternate versions of classic songs, previously unreleased material, guest appearances, cover tracks and much more. The cover artwork was created by Dirk Hüttner (CappOVision) and the album’s layout features tons of rare, private and never before seen pictures of the band with personal foreword from ex-Accept frontman and U.D.O. mastermind Udo Dirkschneider himself.

See the cover art, an official trailer for the 2xCD set and more HERE.

___________________________

Celebrator: Rare Tracks Track Listing:

Disc 1:

1. Stormbreaker (Rev-Raptor Japan Bonus)

2. Tallyman (Taken from the Rev-Raptor recording session)

3. Run! (Remix)

4. Free Or Rebellion (Bonus Leatherhead Single)

5. Bleeding Heart (Dominator Japan Bonus)

6. The Silencer (Taken from the Dominator recording session)

7. Bodyworld (Bonus Infected Single)

8. Systematic Madness (Bonus Infected Single)

9. Head Over Heels (Hammerall feat. Udo Dirkschneider)

10. Balls To The Wall (Piano Version)

11. Artificialized (Taken from the Mastercutor recording session)

12. They Only Come Out At Night (Lordi feat. Udo Dirkschneider)

13. Streets Of Sin (Bonus Wrong Side Of Midnight Single)

Disc 2:

1. Tears Of A Clown (Classical Version)

2. Man A King Ruler (Mastercutor Japan Bonus)

3. Hardcore Lover (Remix from 24/7 – Single)

4. Scream Killers (Bonus 24/7 Single)

5. Platchet Soldat (Remix featuring Faktor2)

6. Borderline (Thunderball Japan Bonus)

7. Dancing With An Angel (Remix featuring Doro)

8. X-T-C (Remix from A Tribute To ACCEPT Vol. 2)

9. Azrael (Remix from No Limits)

10. The Key (Remix from No Limits Japan Bonus)

11. Metal Gods (from “A Tribute To Judas Priest”)

12. Born to be Wild (Raven featuring Udo Dirkschneider)

AT VANCE

Facing Your Enemy

It’s clear that AT VANCE, the band led by master guitar magician and composer Olaf Lenk and fronted by the charismatic singer Rick Altzi, has once again gone beyond its calling and produced an extremely strong masterstroke with their new record, Facing Your Enemy.

Set for North American release on June 19th, the ninth studio full-length from Germany’s neoclassical Power Metal masters AT VANCE, Facing Your Enemy boasts fifty minutes of some of the band’s finest material to date, soaring with epic songs and a professional recording fans have come to expect, all recorded and produced in the band’s own studio. The recording lineup for the album includes Casey Grill of Kamelot on drums and is visually captured with cover art from Thomas Ewerhard (Avantasia, Edguy, etc.).

See the cover art, an official video for the album’s title track and more HERE.

___________________________

Facing Your Enemy Track Listing:

1. Heaven Is Calling

2. Facing Your Enemy

3. Eyes Of A Stranger

4. Fear No Evil

5. Live & Learn

6. Don’t Dream

7. See Me Crying

8. Saviour

9. Tokyo

10. March Of The Dwarf

11. Fame And Fortune

12. Things I Never Needed

THE MURDER OF MY SWEET

Bye Bye Lullaby

Since the release of their debut album Divanity in January 2010, and the single that pre-ceded it in 2009 (“Bleed Me Dry” – which reached No. 14 in the Swedish National Singles Charts), female-fronted Rock/Metal band THE MURDER OF MY SWEET have become amongst the biggest hopes on the European scene. Their individual, easily recognizable and high value sound, has touched the lives of many fans and with its mix of modern, groovy, hard rock, beautiful melodies, and progressive, cinematic flair. The band, led by singer Angelica Rylin, has secured a remarkable fanbase already, far from the shores of Stockholm, where the band was formed in 2007; the name inspired by the 1944 ‘film-noir’ “Murder, My Sweet”.

The sophomore album from THE MURDER OF MY SWEET was produced in their own Sound vs. Science Studio and mastered at the Cutting Room (Gorgoroth, Candlemass, Glenn Hughes), and features guest appearances by Jesper Strömblad (In Flames), Peter Wichers (Soilwork) & Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth). The cover art was created by Felipe Machado (Rhapsody Of Fire, Blind Guardian, Iron Savior etc.), and one track from the album was featured on the soundtrack of the movie “The Ice Dragon”, which was featured at the Berlin Film Festival.

Check out a lyric video for the band’s track “Black September” and more HERE.

___________________________

Bye Bye Lullaby Track Listing:

1. Armageddon

2. Fallen

3. Unbreakable

4. I Dare You

5. Violently Peaceful

6. Meant To Last Forever

7. Idolize

8. Kind Of Lousy

9. The One

10. Resurrection

11. Waiting For The 27th (Booh Prologue)

12. Black September

13. Phantom Pain

______________________________________________

(Source: Earsplit PR)

For more info, click on the links below!

http://www.afm-records.de

http://www.udo-online.com

https://www.facebook.com/atvanceofficial

http://www.myspace.com/themurderofmysweet

LONG LIVE THESE BANDS & METAL.

LONG LIVE AFM RECORDS.

Stone.

Five METAL Songs and Albums From 2011 You Must Check Out!

Posted in doom metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on August 23, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

U.D.O. HAS COMETH BACK IN 2011 AND SET ME METAL STRAIGHT.

Five Metal Songs and Albums You Must Hear – I love Metal. No, I really love Metal. Therefore, I am indulging in a personal Metal duty in alerting you to five Metal songs and albums that are a must to hear during this Summer’s end of 2011. These fired-up Metal songs and kick-ass Metal albums are all released this year! My only two requests to you while listening to these five Metal songs and albums are: play ’em loud and let yourself get psyched-out ’cause METAL LIVES! By the way… I put U.D.O. – Rev Raptor at the top of this post ’cause it is an all-out, scorching blitz of Old School Metal. Hallelujah fellow Metalheads, unite and ring that F’n Metal bell.

SOURVEINFangs from Black Fangs – (Candlelight Records, released June 21, 2011)

Listening to Fangs from Sourvein is like receiving an open-handed Doom Metal slap to my face. Listening to the entire album Black Fangs is a double open-handed Doom Metal slap to my face. I like that. This song set me Metal straight the first time I heard it and it’s heavy as F’n molasses. The thick and massive guitar riffs from King James and the battering vocals of T-Roy are eye-popping and earth splitting. Throw in a rhythm section that seems intent on splitting the universe in half, just for good Metal measure. Fangs is not just a song to hear, it’s a song to experience and Black Fangs is a Metal destination for the Metalhead brain.

PENTAGRAMCall The Man from Last Rites (Metal Blade Records, released April 12, 2011)

Pentagram = Doom Metal. Pentagram is back with their 7th studio album Last Rites and my favorite song on this album is Call The Man. There is a Doom Metal groove happening on this song which has created quite a stir in my Metal saturated brain. Bobby Liebling has that ability to wrap this song around his vocals, making him the man. Listening to Call The Man and this entire album is like getting psyched-out by a late night thunderstorm, there’s just no other way for me to explain it. Metal be thy name.

SINISTER REALMThe Crystal Eye – (Shadow Kingdom Records – 2011)

Allentown Pennsylvania’s Metal warriors have an unbelievable ability to harness their Metal skills to create an album that is more potent with memorable songs than some Metal bands entire discography. The title track hasn’t just kicked my ass, it has kicked my ass with quantum Metal authority. The feel, vibe and Metal totality of this song flexes old school Metal in the vein of DIO and any other Traditional Metal icon you can think of. Yes, this song and album are that grand and Sinister Realm is that great.

FAIR TO MIDLANDMusical Chairs – (eOne Music, released July 12, 2011)

What makes Fair To Midland so damn special to me is their capacity to push the Metal envelope with musical experimentation. Are they Progressive? Alternative? Metal? Extreme? Hard Rock? Try all of the above. At the end of the day, Fair To Midland is an assorted listen into what sensational Heavy Music can sound like when a band decides to throw F’n caution to the F’n wind. After your first listen to Musical Chairs, you might want to breathe a sigh of relief knowing there is a band out there that crushes narrow-mindedness, when it comes to writing and playing the heavy stuff. Arrows & Anchors is a thorough listen into what can be successfully achieved, when a band doesn’t give a crap about what other bands are playing.

U.D.O.REV-RAPTOR – (AFM Records – released May 31, 2011)

Yes, Udo Dirkschneider is a living Metal legend in my Metal world. The Metal shelf life of his band U.D.O. has proven any and all negative critics wrong once again, with album #13 added to a discography that deserves a double horns to the air. The songs on Rev-Raptor are indicators that U.D.O. is still a Metal band to reckon with. My pick on this notable Metal album is Renegade. Fast, furious and delectably heavy is Renegade. This is THE song and THE album you want cranked up and shaking your world and the world outside… while the neighbors are having that stupid, annual, gargantuan picnic that you were not invited to.

METAL BE THY NAME.

LONG LIVE METAL.

The word “delectably” was used in this post.

Stone.

U.D.O. – “DOMINATOR” Unleashes Potent Heavy Metal

Posted in 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, Album Review, classic heavy metal, collecting metal music, cool album covers, current heavy metal albums, current heavy metal bands, current heavy metal music, essential heavy metal albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal albums 2009, heavy metal bands from germany, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 2009, heavy metal solo vocalists, heavy metal songs 2009, heavy metal vocalists, Metal, metal music, metal music today, metal odyssey, Music, new heavy metal album, old school heavy metal, rock music, vintage heavy metal bands with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 31, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

U.D.O. "Dominator" small album picU.D.O. is another justified example as to why I consider Germany the worlds greatest exporter of Metal Music outside of the great United States. U.D.O. does not stray from their Heavy Metal norm on Dominator, (released on October 6, 2009 in the U.S.A., on AFM Records). The first two songs on Dominator are like smash mouth football… Old School and punishing. The lyrics are not meant for NASA academics, they are meant for the Metalheads of the world who take pride in their Heavy Metal Music and bands. The Bogeyman and Dominator are song titles with lyrical content that follow a simple rule of Heavy Metal… thou shall not conform. Vintage Heavy Metal, baby. No political statements or hard to decipher words to be found. I love this stuff. I live for this stuff. Black and White is song three and glorifies the elegance of Heavy Metal guitar, not to forget Heavy Metal chorus as well. Udo Dirkschneider on lead vocals sounds as great as ever, anyone who states otherwise is simply jealous of this ageless Metal icon. Udo Dirkschneider has forever forged his legacy twice in Heavy Metal history, both with U.D.O. and Accept. Heavy Metal lightning does strike twice, Udo Dirkschneider is living proof of that.

Listening to Udo sing on Infected, I imagine him atop a high mountain, looking down upon a land of chaos and condemning all to hell. Udo’s vocals are more than steely and mean streaked, they encompass Heavy Metal theater. Cast me off into damnation for having imaginary thoughts while I listen to Heavy Metal Music, that is how my mind reacts and I’m damn proud. Anyone who says they do not create their own mental imagery to music is either a liar or a cyborg. Doom Ride takes the more consistent approach of Old School Heavy Metal, no real blazing guitar licks or profound moments. Still, Doom Ride gets it’s doom message across and that is Metal enough for me. Stillness of Time is a (gulp), U.D.O. ballad. Well, a fast paced ballad it is. Udo has his unique vocals for sure, he pulls me into Stillness of Time, like a glazed over Old School loyalist that I am. Having a piano included into any U.D.O. song is quite the diverse moment and I admire that. Stillness of Time just might be the best kept secret on Dominator.

Devil’s Rendezvous has me itching to get up off my butt and… do some wacky dance. You know, the kind of dance that drunk people do at weddings. Or, the kind of spastic dance that you can only do in the privacy of your own home… with the blinds shut. Quite the Metal surprise is Devil’s Rendezvous, U.D.O. put some fun into this Dominator album. Crap, did I just use the “F” word? This is starting to become a semi-habit of mine… I must be be too happy or something. Speed Demon is the fastest song on Dominator. No, no, no, it is not because the word speed is in the song title. Speed Demon really does crank up the Metal meter a few bars and it kicks. To sum up my Metal feelings on this U.D.O. Dominator album, it rightfully cements all things great about Heavy Metal… Old School Heavy Metal that is. Dominator is a standout Heavy Metal album for 2009, no Metal questions asked. I thank my best Metal buddy Scott for steering me to Dominator… a Metal referral that is incredibly appreciated.

U.D.O. "Dominator" large album pic

U.D.O. “Nailed To Metal” is live, world class Heavy Metal

Posted in 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, 1980's metal music, 1990's heavy metal bands, 1990's heavy metal music, Album Review, classic heavy metal albums, classic metal, classic rock, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, essential metal music albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal drum solos, heavy metal from germany, heavy metal guitarists, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1982, heavy metal music 1983, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal solo albums, heavy metal solo artists, heavy metal solo vocalists, heavy metal this decade, heavy metal vocalists, live heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, metal music this decade, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, old school heavy metal, rock music, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage live heavy metal albums, Vocals with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 1, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

U.D.O. "Nailed To Metal" large picAccept is a legendary Heavy Metal Band from Germany, blazing through the late 1970’s and releasing crushing Old School Heavy Metal right up until 1996. U.D.O. is the Heavy Metal brainchild from the iconic lead singer from Accept… Udo Dirkschneider. U.D.O. released their first studio album in 1987, with “Animal House”… in 1988 their second studio album released, titled “Mean Machine”. U.D.O. has released many albums over the years, with their latest studio effort being “Mastercutor”, released in 2007. I have and always will be a huge fan of Udo Dirkschneider, Accept was an incredible Heavy Metal band, they never wavered or catered to any musical flavor of the day, just 100% Heavy Metal albums they released back in the day. With Udo carrying on his grand Heavy Metal career with U.D.O., it only makes me psyched – knowing this legend is still around. Udo may not receive the glamourous adulation from the mainstream Rock press like Rob Halford, Ronnie James Dio, Brian Johnson or Ozzy, however, he is just as important to the history of Heavy Metal as any of these lead singers are.

“Nailed To Metal” (subtitled “the missing tracks”), is a live, eleven song album, released back in 2003. The liner notes state that the songs were “recorded during the European Tour 2001”. Let me just say that… this live U.D.O. album does not just exemplify Heavy Metal, it is Heavy Metal. Hail U.D.O.! Thank you Germany! Udo Dirkschneider sounds just as prolific with his vocals on “Nailed To Metal” as he did on his Accept album “Breaker”… or any of his Accept albums for that matter. What I always anticipate from U.D.O. is that powerful, thunderous, monster of a sound from their Heavy Metal… “Nailed To Metal” brings it all and with the excitement of the live ambience. The Heavy Metal barometer explodes with the first two opening songs – “Holy” and “Raiders Of Beyond”. Both of these U.D.O. tracks are nothing short of Heavy Metal liberation, capturing the very essence of what Heavy Metal 101 is all about. The “Drum Solo” comes in at 4:26… (this is a Heavy Metal drum solo, not a Thrash or Death Metal drum solo), my point being, just as I am enamored by Extreme Metal, I embrace a cool, traditional, Heavy Metal drum solo in the spotlight, any day of the week. Lorenzo Milani on drums, is not out to compete with Neil Peart (of Rush), he is only out to play some solid drumming the Old School Heavy Metal way. In my Metal opinion, “Holy” and “Raiders Of Beyond” hold their own against classic Accept songs… and classic Accept songs are here.

The vintage “Fast As A Shark” and “Restless & Wild”, (from 1982), are unmistakably Heavy Metal defining, two throwback songs from the Accept catalog that have never lost their ability to supercharge me. “Metal Heart”, (from 1985), is an Accept song that careens into this live set like a long lost Heavy Metal friend. The closer of this live album is none other than… “Balls To The Wall”. At 8:48 long, I wish this Heavy Metal anthem would carry on for an hour… raising my fist to the air and banging my head never felt so good. Accept found their FM radio acceptance back in 1984 with “Balls To The Wall”, a trip down Heavy Metal lane “Nailed To Metal” is. Udo Dirkschneider was and always will be the voice of Accept, therefore U.D.O. does not just cover these legendary Accept songs, they celebrate them. With the combination of live U.D.O. and Accept Heavy Metal on “Nailed To Metal”, this album easily, hands down, gets five out of five beer kegs from me. Keep bringing the Heavy Metal U.D.O. and I will forever listen.

U.D.O. as they appear on “Nailed To Metal”: Udo Dirkschneider on vocals, Stefan Kaufmann on guitar, Igor Gianola on guitar, Fitty Wienhold on bass guitar and Lorenzo Milani on drums.

*As a Metal side note, the only Accept album that Udo Dirkschneider was not the lead singer on, was “Eat The Heat”, released in 1989. David Reece was the lead singer for this Accept album.

U.D.O. "Nailed To Metal" large pic

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