U.D.O. – Steelhammer Review

Honestly, there’s not a helluva lot to be said about Steelhammer other than prior fans of U.D.O. and Accept have another German metal masterpiece on their hands...

udo_steelhammer_cover

Released by: AFM Records

Release Date: May 29th, 2013

Genre: Heavy Metal

Links: http://www.udo-online.com/

 

Line Up:

Udo Dirkschneider (vocals)

Andrey Smirnov (guitar)

Kasperi Heikkinen (guitar)

Fitty Wienhold (bass)

Francesco Jovino (drums)

 

Tracklist:

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

 

Sometimes when a band breaks up it signals the end of an era so to speak. Other times a band will forge on creating music that cheapens the prior catalog of material. And other times still a member will leave a band to pursue a solo career overtaking their previous bands greatness, or simply crashing and burning under the weight of their own ego. Lucky for fans of the legendary German band Accept, as well as those who loved the music and vocals provided by former vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, both band and singer are still putting out top notch metal, just not as one unit. Just as Accept have been able to take the significant loss of such an iconic singer and move on putting out some of the best material they have in their career, at the same time U.D.O has managed to release some outstanding solo albums as well.

Steelhammer is his latest and continues to demonstrate his greatness. His voice may not be for everyone, however for those of us that get it, it is a treasure that keeps the metal alive. Musically, the songs are just as strong as anything he recorded with Accept, yet beyond the obvious metal music comparison, has created a sound all his own while remaining true to what brought him to the game. With standout tracks like “Take My Medicine,” “Metal Machine,” and “Death Ride,” it packs a metal powerhouse punch that doesn’t let up. Still sounding as fresh as ever, Udo still is one of the masters of metal, and that my friend is awesome!

Honestly, there’s not a helluva lot to be said about Steelhammer other than prior fans of U.D.O. and Accept have another German metal masterpiece on their hands, and despite the amicable split, there are two forces pumping out some of the best metal out there. Forever linked in the pantheon of metal legend, it’s nice to know that a band can lose a vocalist and fans of both gain two outstanding music creators. It doesn’t happen often, but this time it exceeds giving the fans more metal to get them through the tough times we live in.

 

Written by Chris

Ratings    Chris    8/10

[embedplusvideo height=”281″ width=”450″ standard=”http://www.youtube.com/v/on2LZ5LsV-c?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=on2LZ5LsV-c&width=450&height=281&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=1&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep3149″ /]

About Author

 
Categories
Album Reviews
Pantera Makes Triumphant Return to England’s Capital After 25-Year Absence
Pantera Makes Triumphant Return to England’s Capital After 25-Year Absence

Pantera Makes Triumphant Return to England’s Capital After 25-Year Absence

Photos Credit: Dave Martin - Faversham Photography

YUNGBLUD - Hello Heaven, Hello

Interview: Pekka Heino on Brother Firetribe’s Enduring Spirit and New Music

Kurt Deimer on Debut Album, And So It Begins… – I’m Just Getting Started, I Have Two More Completed Albums!

Slung – In Ways Review

Stygian Path – The Lorekeeper Review

RELATED BY

G-TQ58R0YWZE