Accept
Accept - German heavy metal band
Group from Germany
Genres: glam metal, hard rock, heavy metal, metal, power metal, speed metal, thrash metal, heavy metal music
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U.D.O.
About Accept
Accept is a German heavy metal band from Solingen, formed in 1976. The band’s first stable lineup included vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, lead guitarist Wolf Hoffmann, bassist Peter Baltes, rhythm guitarist Jörg Fischer and drummer Stefan Kaufmann. The current lineup includes Hoffmann, vocalist Mark Tornillo, guitarist Philip Shouse, drummer Christopher Williams and bassist Martin Motnik. Accept has undergone numerous lineup changes, with Hoffmann remaining the only constant member. As of 2024, the band has released seventeen studio albums, five live albums and nine compilation albums. Accept has been associated with the development of speed metal and thrash metal and was part of the German heavy metal scene that emerged in the early to mid-1980s. The band achieved its first major commercial success with its fifth studio album "Balls to the Wall" (1983), which is their only album certified gold in the United States and Canada and included the song "Balls to the Wall". The band has disbanded and reformed several times. It first broke up in 1989, several months after the release of "Eat the Heat", the only Accept album featuring vocalist David Reece. The band reformed in 1992 with Dirkschneider and released three further albums before disbanding again in 1997. After a brief reunion in 2005, Accept reformed again in 2009 with Mark Tornillo replacing Dirkschneider, who chose not to participate. With Tornillo, the band recorded six studio albums: "Blood of the Nations" (2010), "Stalingrad" (2012), "Blind Rage" (2014), "The Rise of Chaos" (2017), "Too Mean to Die" (2021) and "Humanoid" (2024). These releases reached the top ten of the German album charts and contributed to renewed commercial visibility in Germany. As of 2024, the band has sold more than 17 million albums worldwide. Accept evolved from an earlier group called Band X, formed in 1968 by Udo Dirkschneider. After his military service, Dirkschneider reformed the group in 1972 and renamed it Accept, reportedly influenced by the album "Accept" by the British blues band Chicken Shack. The band experienced frequent lineup changes in its early years and performed sporadically at festivals. Its professional career began in 1976 when the group performed at Rock am Rhein, one of the early rock festivals in Germany. Following this appearance, the band secured a recording contract. Early member Gerard Wahl left and was replaced by Jörg Fischer. Their debut album "Accept" was released in 1979 but did not achieve significant commercial success. Drummer Frank Friedrich left before its release and was replaced by Stefan Kaufmann, forming a more stable lineup that recorded "I'm a Rebel" (1980). The title track had originally been written for AC/DC but was not released by that band. The album attracted some media attention and led to television appearances. In 1981, Accept released "Breaker" and worked with manager Gaby Hauke. The band also supported Judas Priest on their World Wide Blitz Tour, gaining exposure outside Europe. In 1982, "Restless and Wild" was released. Guitarist Jörg Fischer left before recording, and his intended replacement also departed. The album included stylistic elements later associated with speed metal, particularly on the track "Fast as a Shark". Stefan Kaufmann’s drumming on the track has been cited in discussions of early developments in faster heavy metal styles. In 1983, Accept released "Balls to the Wall". Guitarist Herman Frank participated during this period, and Dirkschneider returned during the recording process. The album included themes related to politics, sexuality and social relations. Fischer later rejoined the band during touring activities in 1984, which included appearances at major festivals and support slots for Iron Maiden on the World Slavery Tour. The album "Metal Heart" was released in 1985 and produced by Dieter Dierks. The band toured internationally in support of the album and released the live mini-album "Kaizoku-Ban". "Russian Roulette" followed in 1986. In 1987, Dirkschneider left the band and later formed U.D.O., with material written in collaboration with Accept members. After auditions with several singers, including Ken Tamplin and Rob Armitage, Accept recruited American vocalist David Reece. The album "Eat the Heat" was released in 1989. Guitarist Fischer departed again before recording, and additional musicians were used for touring. During the tour, drummer Stefan Kaufmann suffered a back injury and was temporarily replaced. Following internal difficulties and lineup instability, the band ceased activity at the end of 1989. A live recording from 1985 was released as "Staying a Life" in 1990. In 1992, Dirkschneider rejoined Hoffmann, Baltes and Kaufmann, leading to the album "Objection Overruled" in 1993. The band toured internationally and released "Death Row" in 1994. Due to recurring health issues, Kaufmann was replaced temporarily during this period. The album "Predator" followed in 1996, recorded with drummer Michael Cartellone. The band toured internationally before becoming inactive again in 1997. Between 1997 and 2005, members focused on separate projects. A reunion tour took place in 2005 featuring Hoffmann, Baltes, Dirkschneider, Frank and Schwarzmann, followed by another period of inactivity. In 2009, Accept reformed with Mark Tornillo as vocalist after Dirkschneider declined participation. The album "Blood of the Nations" was released in 2010 and marked the band’s return to studio recording after several years. The band toured extensively and performed at international festivals. The albums "Stalingrad" (2012), "Blind Rage" (2014) and "The Rise of Chaos" (2017) followed, all produced in collaboration with Andy Sneap. In 2014, guitarist Herman Frank and drummer Stefan Schwarzmann left the band and were replaced by Uwe Lulis and Christopher Williams. Bassist Peter Baltes left in 2018 after more than four decades with the band and was replaced by Martin Motnik. Philip Shouse joined as a third guitarist in 2019. The album "Too Mean to Die" was released in 2021 and was followed by extensive touring in Europe and North America. Accept signed with Napalm Records in 2022 and began work on new material, which led to the release of "Humanoid" in 2024. In 2025, the band announced the departure of guitarist Uwe Lulis and indicated a return to a two-guitar lineup. In 2026, Accept announced plans for a 50th anniversary collaboration album titled "Teutonic Titans 1976–2026", featuring guest contributions from various musicians associated with heavy metal bands including Judas Priest, Scorpions, Ghost, Pantera, Overkill, Testament and members of major thrash metal groups. Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accept_(band) Studio albums Accept (1979) I'm a Rebel (1980) Breaker (1981) Restless and Wild (1982) Balls to the Wall (1983) Metal Heart (1985) Russian Roulette (1986) Eat the Heat (1989) Objection Overruled (1993) Death Row (1994) Predator (1996) Blood of the Nations (2010) Stalingrad (2012) Blind Rage (2014) The Rise of Chaos (2017) Too Mean to Die (2021) Humanoid (2024)
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