Archive for udo

DIRKSCHNEIDER AND THE OLD GANG Release Another Blistering Metal Anthem: “Hellbreaker”

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on June 6, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG have released their third single and video, “Hellbreaker” – a thunderous, full-throttle anthem that delivers another fiery preview of their upcoming full-length album, Babylon, due out in October 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music.

With “Hellbreaker” the band pulls no punches, catapulting us straight into true heavy metal! Brutal guitar riffs, bold melodies and a driving power chorus complete the picture.
“Udo growls and screams like there’s no tomorrow, while Manuela’s solo vocals put the icing on the cake towards the end of the song. Mathias’ unorthodox solo guitar work is a real treat for all guitar freaks and in no way inferior to the other highlights,”states the band.

Backed by a cinematic music video, “Hellbreaker” doesn’t just build anticipation, it kicks the doors wide open for what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases of the year.

Watch the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNXNVItL8kI

Stream ‘Hellbreaker’: https://datog.rpm.link/hellbreakerPR

More from DATOG:
“It Takes Two To Tango” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meb1xvWHBEo

“Time To Listen” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL6ms_kEzy4

Photo credit: Eddi Bachmann

L-R:
Sven Dirkschneider (drums, backing vocals),
Mathias “Don” Dieth (guitars, backing vocals), Udo Dirkschneider (lead vocals),
Manuela “Ella” Bibert (lead & backing vocals, keys),
Stefan Kaufmann (guitars, backing vocals), Peter Baltes (bass, lead & backing vocals)

Source: C Squared Music

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DIRKSCHNEIDER – Celebrate 40 Years Of Balls To The Wall With A Star-Studded Reimagining

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , on December 16, 2024 by Metal Odyssey

Marking the 40th anniversary of ACCEPT’s iconic album, Balls To The Wall, founding member and former frontman Udo Dirkschneider is reinterpreting this classic with a fresh and star-studded twist. Far from a simple remake, this project was born out of countless conversations with prominent artists across the global rock and metal scene, who frequently asked: “Are you planning anything special for the 40th anniversary of Balls To The Wall?”

These discussions sparked the idea to re-record the album’s legendary tracks alongside a stellar lineup of guest musicians, transforming the project into a heartfelt tribute. For both Dirkschneider and the participating artists, this endeavor is more than a celebration – it’s a homage to one of heavy metal’s most groundbreaking albums.

The reimagined Balls To The Wall features an impressive roster of talent, breathing new life into each track:

01. Balls To The Wall [feat. Joakim Brodén of SABATON]
02. London Leatherboys [feat. Biff Byford of SAXON]
03. Fight It Back [feat. Mille Petrozza of KREATOR]
04. Head Over Heels [feat. Nils Molin of DYNAZTY/AMARANTHE]
05. Losing More Than You’ve Ever Had [feat. Michael Kiske of HELLOWEEN]
06. Love Child [feat. Ylva Eriksson of BROTHERS OF METAL]
07. Turn Me On [feat. Danko Jones]
08. Losers And Winners [feat. Dee Snider of TWISTED SISTER]
09. Guardian Of The Night [feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens, formerly of JUDAS PRIEST]
10. Winter Dreams [feat. Doro Pesch]

Pre-order here: https://dirkschneider.rpm.link/bttwrPR

This ambitious reinterpretation not only revitalises the original tracks but also underscores their timeless impact on the metal genre. More than a revival, this project serves as a celebration of the album’s enduring legacy, enriched by the enthusiasm and contributions of some of metal’s most influential voices.

“Re-recording “Balls To The Wall” was a big challenge for me. The album is a milestone of my career, of course, that’s why it was even more important to me to make the original songs shine in a new light without losing their initial essence. All guests have put their individual stamps on these classic tracks, and collaborating with such outstanding vocalists has moved them into a fresh and exciting dimension. The result is a powerful homage to all fans but also an invitation to the next generation to experience the songs not minorly passionate than I was when I recorded them back in the day. It’s a never-ending personal journey for me – “Balls To The Wall” will always be a part of me,” states Udo.

RPM managing director Jochen Richert expresses his excitement: “This masterpiece has accompanied me for almost my entire life. When Udo first told me about his idea, my initial thought was, ‘Can this really work?’ But as soon as he mentioned the first guest singers, I knew it would be great. When I finally got to hear the tracks, I was blown away. My nostalgic side cautioned me, ‘No, you can’t like this better than the original.’ But there’s no use denying it, I have to admit it’s at least as good as the 1983 recordings – if not better! Accordingly, it’s an incredible honour to be able to contribute to this opus.”

This reimagined Balls To The Wall is a fitting tribute to heavy metal history, proving that its power and influence remain as potent today as they were four decades ago. Don’t miss your chance to own this extraordinary celebration of a true classic. Pre-order here: https://dirkschneider.rpm.link/bttwrPR

Source: C Squared Music

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DIRKSCHNEIDER – Balls To The Wall 40th Anniversary Tour | Europe 2025 Info

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on December 13, 2024 by Metal Odyssey

From U.D.O. bandsintown:

We can’t wait to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ‘Balls to the Wall’ together with you in 2025! This will be a historic and electrifying event so make sure to grab your tickets now before they are gone!

Tour and ticket info:

Click here for all Tourdates and Ticketlinks
http://www.udo-online.de

DIRKSCHNEIDER live:

“Balls To The Wall” – 40th Anniversary Tour
w/ CROWNSHIFT, ALL FOR METAL
Presented by Contra Promotion & Metal Hammer
25.02.2025 HR Zagreb – Boogaloo * NEW
26.02.2025 AT Vienna – SiMM City
27.02.2025 DE Munich – Backstage LOW TICKETS
28.02.2025 DE Leipzig – Haus Auensee LOW TICKETS
01.03.2025 CZ Prague – SaSaZu
02.03.2025 HU Budapest – Barba Negra
04.03.2025 RO Bucharest – Quantic Club
06.03.2025 PL Kraków – Klub Studio
07.03.2025 PL Warsaw – Progresja
08.03.2025 LT Vilnius – Kablys
09.03.2025 EE Tallinn – Helitehas NEW
10.03.2025 FI Helsinki – Kulttuuritalo
11.03.2025 FI Tampere – Tavara-asema
13.03.2025 NO Oslo – Rockefeller
14.03.2025 SE Gothenburg – Trädgår’n
16.03.2025 DE Berlin – Huxleys Neue Welt
17.03.2025 DE Frankfurt – Batschkapp
18.03.2025 BE Antwerp – Trix
19.03.2025 FR Paris – Le Trabendo
21.03.2025 ES Pamplona – Sala Totem
22.03.2025 ES Madrid – Mon MOVED
23.03.2025 ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz 2
25.03.2025 CH Pratteln – Konzertfabrik Z7
26.03.2025 DE Stuttgart – LKA Longhorn SOLD OUT
27.03.2025 DE Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle
28.03.2025 DE Hamburg – Große Freiheit 36
29.03.2025 DE Geiselwind – Eventhalle LOW TICKETS
30.03.2025 DE Geiselwind – Eventhalle NEW
08.04.2025 GR Athens – Fuzz Live Music Club * NEW
09.04.2025 GR Thessaloniki – Principal Club Theater * NEW
11.04.2025 TR Istanbul – IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş * NEW
12.04.2025 BG Sofia – Hristo Botev Hall * NEW

  • DIRKSCHNEIDER only

30.07. – 02.08.2025 DE Wacken – Wacken Open Air SOLD OUT NEW

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U.D.O. Announces Touchdown US/Canada Tour – VIP Upgrades Available

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on September 27, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Martin Häusler

German heavy metal icons U.D.O. will return to North America this Fall on the Touchdown US/Canada Tour! The journey will commence on November 3rd in Frenchtown, New Jersey and makes its way through nearly two dozen cities, closing on December 7th in Manchester, New Hampshire. Tickets, as well as VIP upgrades which include a meet and greet with U.D.O., a photo-op, autographs, and more are available now at: national-acts.com/UDO. See all confirmed dates below.

U.D.O. Touchdown US/Canada Tour:
11/03/2023 Arties Bar and Grill – Frenchtown, NJ
11/04/2023 The Vault Music Hall – New Bedford, MA
11/05/2023 Reverb – Reading, PA
11/08/2023 The Southport Music Hall – Jefferson, LA
11/09/2023 Rise Rooftop – Houston, TX
11/11/2023 Royal Oaks Event Center – San Antonio, TX
11/12/2023 Trees – Dallas, TX
11/15/2023 The 44 – Glendale, AZ
11/16/2023 Whiskey A Go Go – West Hollywood, CA
11/17/2023 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA
11/18/2023 Stages – Santa Ana, CA
11/20/2023 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA
11/22/2023 The Rick House – Denver, CO
11/24/2023 The Vixen – McHenry, IL
11/25/2023 The Forge – Joliet, IL
11/26/2023 King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH
11/28/2023 Brass Monkey – Ottawa, ON
11/29/2023 Les Foufounes Electroniques – Montreal, QC
11/30/2023 Lees Palace – Toronto, ON
12/01/2023 Token Lounge – Westland, MI
12/03/2023 Blue Note – Harrison, OH
12/04/2023 Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI
12/07/2023 Angel City Music Hall – Manchester, NH

U.D.O. – featuring legendary vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, drummer Sven Dirkschneider, guitarists Fabian Dee Dammers and Andrey Smirnov, and bassist Peter Baltes – released their latest studio album, Touchdown, last month via Atomic Fire Records. The record continues to reap critical accolades globally and entered the official German album charts at #4 upon its first week of release marking the highest charting result in their homeland in their long-running career! Other notable chart entries include:

Germany: #4 (Album Chart)
Switzerland: #8 (Album Chart)
Austria: #33 (Album Chart)
Sweden: #1 (Physical, Vinyl & Hard Rock) / #17 (Album Chart)
Finland: #2 (Physical) / #34 (Album Chart)
France: #25 (Album Chart)
UK: #50 (Independent Album Chart)
US: #16 (Top New Artists) / #18 (Hard Rock)

Preview and purchase Touchdown at THIS LOCATION.

Source: EARSPLIT PR

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U.D.O. To Release New Album, ‘Touchdown’ On August 25th Via Atomic Fire Records

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 19, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Martin Häusler

After touring Australia and Japan as well as kicking off this year’s festival season by introducing new bassist Peter Baltes last month, U.D.O. — the iconic heavy metal five-piece led by legendary vocalist Udo Dirkschneider — today announces their massive, thirteen-track album, Touchdown, set for release late this Summer through Atomic Fire Records.

The band has been very productive recording at various locations in between live activities throughout the year. Crafted with producer and mixing engineer Martin “Mattes” Pfeiffer at Redhead Studio (Wilhelmshaven, Germany) and mastered by Stefan Kaufmann at ROXX Studio (Solingen, Germany), with bass tracks recorded by Baltes, Touchdown is scheduled to land in the end zone of the heavy metal world on August 25th. The record includes a guest appearance by violinist Stefan Pintev on the closing track. Artwork was provided by Martin Häusler who is also responsible for shooting band photos in support of the new album campaign.

First single, “Forever Free,” as well as album preorder options will become available on Friday, June 23rd. Presave “Forever Free” now at: udo.afr.link/foreverfreePR.

Touchdown – Track Listing:

  1. Isolation Man
  2. The Flood
  3. The Double Dealer’s Club
  4. Fight For The Right
  5. Forever Free
  6. Punchline
  7. Sad Man’s Show
  8. The Betrayer
  9. Heroes Of Freedom
  10. Better Start To Run
  11. The Battle Understood
  12. Living Hell
  13. Touchdown

View Udo Dirkschneider’s videos for “We Will Rock You” HERE and “Kein Zurück,” where he sings in his native language for the first time ever, HERE.

U.D.O. / DIRKSCHNEIDER:
Udo Dirkschneider – vocals
Andrey Smirnov – guitar
Sven Dirkschneider – drums
Fabian Dee Dammers – guitar
Peter Baltes – bass

Source: EARSPLIT PR

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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

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UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER – To Release New Album “My Way” On April 22nd Via Atomic Fire Records

Posted in classic rock, classic rock music, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on January 15, 2022 by Metal Odyssey

UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER is THE constant among the German metal scene. Originally becoming world-famous as a founding member of Accept, he continues to steadily expand upon his international successes with his U.D.O. and DIRKSCHNEIDER outfits. Remaining true to himself over the years in a way few musicians could, Dirkschneider consistently bucks music industry trends in favor of following his heart and his most personal and extraordinary album to date will be released on April 22nd via Atomic Fire Records.

Titled My Way, the record contains seventeen cover versions of the very songs that have influenced the musician and singer the most. All kinds of classics from music history are among them – including those that you might not expect from Dirkschneider. Not only does a very personal story lie behind each of the tracks, but also a sometimes-surprising arrangement that, despite the very individual implementation, lives and breathes Udo’s manuscript throughout.

Udo: “Now, when I hear the song, I remember the time when, as a very young Udo, I’d go out to light up the town and lived all the stories that can only be experienced late at night in the clubs,” he recalls. Here, Alex Harvey’s “Faith Healer” allows the artist to feel those days of an era long past. The fact that “Nutbush City Limits” is also on the album reveals a secret rarely told until now, “What hardly anyone knows so far: I was a huge fan of Ike and Tina Turner, and especially Tina’s voice. We always covered this song during Accept rehearsals in the early days. It was one of the mainstays of our Accept rehearsal repertoire for years. Regrettably, there is no recording of it.”

With Wolfsheim’s “Kein Zurück,” Dirkschneider sings in German for the first time in his career, “I immediately felt like the words understood me. It seemed to me that the lyrics were telling the story of my career, of my highs and lows and all the good and bad experiences that life has. There simply is ‘no going back’ for those who choose to live as a musician.”

The cover album also makes one thing clear: Just how many in the music industry have come and gone over the years. Yet, UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER is still here.

My Way Track Listing:

  1. Faith Healer (Alex Harvey)
  2. Fire (Crazy World Of Arthur Brown)
  3. Sympathy (Uriah Heep)
  4. They Call It Nutbush (Tina Turner)
  5. Man On The Silver Mountain (Rainbow)
  6. Hell Raiser (The Sweet)
  7. No Class (Motörhead)
  8. Rock And Roll (Led Zeppelin)
  9. The Stroke (Billy Squier)
  10. Paint It Black (The Rolling Stones)
  11. He’s A Woman, She’s A Man (The Scorpions)
  12. T.N.T. (AC/DC)
  13. Jealousy (Frankie Miller)
  14. Hell Bent For Leather (Judas Priest)
  15. We Will Rock You (Queen)
  16. Kein Zurück (Wolfsheim)
  17. My Way (Frank Sinatra)

http://www.udo-online.com

http://ww.instagram.com/u.d.o.official

http://www.atomicfire-records.com

Source: EARSPLIT PR

LONG LIVE UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER.

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DIRKSCHNEIDER – “Back To The Roots Part II” North America 2018 Tour – Begins In NYC On February 23rd!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, music news, news, rock music, world news with tags , , , , , , , on February 16, 2018 by Metal Odyssey

DIRKSCHNEIDER - Back To The Roots - 2018 - tour flyer - #MO333 North America Tour - #33ILG

DIRKSCHNEIDER is about to rock the U.S. and Canada with support from Elm Street!

Head over to www.enterthevault.com/artist.php?id=910 for tickets and VIP possibilities!

Head over to www.udo-online.com for all dates and ticket links!

LONG LIVE DIRKSCHNEIDER.

UDO IS A METAL ICON.

STONE.

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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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