Legendary heavy metal vocalist Udo Dirkschneider announces a star-studded reimagining of ACCEPT’s landmark album “Balls to the Wall,” set for release on February 28th, 2025. This anniversary edition features collaborations with some of metal’s most prominent voices while maintaining the original’s groundbreaking spirit.
“This reinterpretation not only makes the original songs shine anew but underscores the album’s timeless relevance,” says Dirkschneider. “It’s a celebration of the legacy of ‘Balls to the Wall,’ with the blessing and enthusiasm of many significant voices in the genre.”
The album features an impressive roster of guest performers:
Balls to the Wall” – featuring Joakim Brodén (SABATON)
“London Leatherboys” – featuring Biff Byford (SAXON)
“Fight It Back” – featuring Mille Petrozza (KREATOR)
“Head Over Heels” – featuring Nils Molin (AMARANTHE, DYNAZTY)
“Losing More Than You’ve Ever Had” – featuring Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN)
“Love Child” – featuring Ylva Eriksson (BROTHERS OF METAL)
“Turn Me On” – featuring Danko Jones
“Losers and Winners” – featuring Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER)
“Guardian Of The Night” – featuring Tim “Ripper” Owens (ex-JUDAS PRIEST)
“Winter Dreams” – featuring Doro Pesch
Each collaboration brings a unique perspective to these classic tracks, from Brodén’s commanding presence on the title track to Doro Pesch’s haunting interpretation of “Winter Dreams.” The result is both a tribute to heavy metal history and a testament to the album’s enduring influence four decades after its original release.
The reimagined “Balls to the Wall” demonstrates that true classics don’t just endure—they evolve, inspiring new generations while honoring their roots.
About DIRKSCHNEIDER:
Udo Dirkschneider, born April 6, 1952, in Wuppertal, Germany, first became captivated by music at the age of 12 after receiving a Beatles record as a gift. This marked the beginning of his lifelong obsession with rock, soon followed by the influence of The Rolling Stones. Together with his childhood friend and future world-renowned producer Michael Wagener, Dirkschneider co-founded the band BAND X at the age of 16, which later evolved into ACCEPT in 1971. The band struggled to find the right lineup until their breakthrough in 1978 with their self-titled debut album. ACCEPT’s aggressive and revolutionary sound, exemplified by Breaker (1980) and Restless and Wild, helped define the heavy metal scene in Europe.
By 1983, ACCEPT achieved worldwide fame with Balls to the Wall, which propelled them into the American market. After years of success with ACCEPT, Dirkschneider eventually pursued his solo career, forming DIRKSCHNEIDER. With his unmistakable voice and powerful stage presence, he continues to honor the legacy of ACCEPT while also exploring his own musical identity. Dirkschneider’s influence on the heavy metal world remains strong, and his ongoing work stands as a testament to his dedication to the genre.
DIRKSCHNEIDER are:
Udo Dirkschneider | vocals
Andrey Smirnov | guitar
Fabian “Dee” Dammers | guitar
Peter Baltes | bass
Sven Dirkschneider | drums
https://udo-online.de/tourdates.html
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 Be?ikta? * *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*
“Hell, Fire And Steel” Tour
w/ SAXON
04.11.2025 UK Belfast – Ulster Hall *NEW*
05.11.2025 IE Dublin – 3Olympia Theatre *NEW*
07.11.2025 UK Manchester – O2 Apollo *NEW*
08.11.2025 UK Sheffield – The Octagon Centre *NEW*
09.11.2025 UK Glasgow – O2 Academy *NEW*
11.11.2025 UK Newcastle – O2 City Hall *NEW*
13.11.2025 UK Bristol – Beacon *NEW*
14.11.2025 UK Wolverhampton – Civic Hall *NEW*
15.11.2025 UK London – Eventim Apollo Hammersmith *NEW*
16.11.2025 UK Cardiff – The Great Hall *NEW*
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