On disc: U.D.O.

 
 Live From Russland
 
- Volker Raabe -
 
 


 
 Nailed To Metal
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 The Wrong Side Of Midnight
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Infected
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Infected
 
- Jörg Petersen -
 
 


 
 Dominator
 
- Lars Björn -
 
 


 
 Dominator
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

Dominator

(AFM Records - 2009)



 
 

 

It does not take more than 2 years at the most before there is yet another album from German heavy rockers U.D.O.. The former lead singer Udo Dirkschneider from Accept has asked long-time companion Stefan Kaufmann to join him permanent in the band U.D.O. as lead guitarist. Luckily Kaufmann agreed, and the core of what we now know as U.D.O. was founded, many many years ago.

It is no secret that Udo Dirkschneider feels most safe and in control, when he has a stable group that he can rely on. Many changes has come to the band on the guitar side: Dieth, Szigeti, Graf, Gianola, Kaufmann. On the bass: Rittel, Smuszynski, Wienhold. Drums: Franke, Schwarzmann, Milani, Jovino. Now it seems he has the perfect line-up. The album Mission No. 10 from 2005 marked the 10 album aniversary, and U.D.O. was ready to take the next step. They wanted to make a new beginning, and a very special album Mastercutor was released in 2007 together with a new Mastercutor official fanclub. Surely a new beginning.

The new album, Dominator can not reach the heights as Mastercutor did, let me say that already now, but there are many good songs here anyway. Title song Dominator is a real good typical U.D.O. powerful action song with Udo at the steering wheel. Brings the headbanging and smiling. Black And White is mixing combinations with Udo's vocal width, perfectly split rhytm section between Stefan and Igor. Brilliant. Heavy Metal Heaven is a bit boring, but with a good chorus that will be a hit at the U.D.O. concerts. Doom Ride is a very, very heavy song, real quality, and in my eyes the best song of the Dominator album. Stillnes Of Time is a beautiful and symphonical song, that will surely be played on radio, but never reaches the setlist for the concerts. Whispers In The Dark is actually one of Udo's favourites of the album. It's a real U.D.O. ballad with orchestration and keyboards. The song has the character as early song Sweet Little Child, but has more maturity, more consistance.
 
 










Lars Björn


  
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Dominator

(AFM Records - 2009)



 
 

 

Udo Dirkschneider is presenting his 12th studio album since he started the band in 1987. And even if the line-up changed the band always stick to their roots.

A dark symphonic part leads into the first rocker The Bogeyman. A mid-paced track with sharp riffs, during the refrain they sound quite modern... They added a dash NDH. Good opener! Next in line the title track Dominator. A bit faster then the opener and with a refrain which reminds me slightly of Accept. For the first video they chose Black And White and so some might know this one already... Anyway, a mid-paced rocker with a stomping beat. Great guitar leads, but the guitar play of Igor Gianola and Stefan Kaufmann is always on a high level. The fast Infected was already released on the same named EP. Heavy Metal Heaven kicks off with tribal drums, then the others join in for an ultra heavy tune with a modern touch. The refrain is very Gamma Ray-ish and so shows another facet of U.D.O.!

If you expect Doom Ride to be a slow track, then you are wrong. It's another mid-tempo rocker. For Stillness Of Time they slow down and present a powerful balladesque tune with a heavy refrain. The song has a dark atmosphere, but the guitar lead seems to light up the darkness. Like the lead in the outro is symphonic with piano and strings. Then they surprise you with the heavy rock'n'roll tune Devil's Rendezvous which is a danceable track. Something different, the a cappella part reminds me slightly of Stray Cats... Actually that's it, the song is like a heavy metal version of Stray Cats with Udo's typical vocals. And then they push down the accelerator! Speed Demon is a guitar-driven track with fast drumming and vocally it's a bit like Fast As A Shark... Last, but not least a piano-based balladesque song - again with string arrangement. Whispers In The Dark has a dark vibe and shows Mr. Dirkschneider emotional, but then it becomes a dark rocker with a balladesque edge. And slowly the song fades out with piano and acoustic guitars.

Udo Dirkschneider and his mates manage to offer an album which has the old trademarks, but also shows a new, a darker direction. The quintet adds some new elements to their sound without loosing their identity. Well done!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Infected


(AFM Records - 2009)



 
 

 

EPs are pretty often released as an appetizer for a coming album - and that's the case here, too. But it's also interesting for fans and collectors, coz only the title track will be on the coming full-length album Dominator. There are 2 non-album tracks, a remix version and a live version. And it that isn't enough to convince you, then it's probably the fact that it's limited to 2,222 copies worldwide!

The first track is the title track Infected, a quite typical U.D.O. track. Fast riffing forcing them ahead, but the chorus is a bit anthem like. Live this one is an invitation to sing along and / or bang your head! Nice guitar play by Igor Gianola and Stefan Kaufmann. With Systematic Madness you get the first non-album track. They kick off slowly, but then the staccato riffing takes over. The chorus is repetitive and sounds a bit robotic... But a cool counter part to Udo's voice. A stomping beat is the basis for Bodyworld, another hymn-like heavy rocker - and quite typical for U.D.O.. Even if some guitar leads make sound them a bit different now... They remixed Platchet Soldat, a gesture to the Russian fans, coz here you get the song with Russian lyrics. Sounds interesting, reminds me slightly of some stuff I heard in the early 90's of Black Coffee and Aria... The closer is Poezd Po Rossii which was recorded in Moscow 2008. To me it sounds like a Russian song in a metallic version... Fun, and very cool!

If you be quick you might get a copy in the next CD store - or later for a few more bucks on Ebay! A must-buy for fans and a very interesting EP for heavy metal fans!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Infected


(AFM Records - 2009)



 
 

 

I haven't followed Udo Dirkschneider lately, but I'm a vinyl and CD collector. The new U.D.O. EP Infected is limited to 2,222 copies worldwide, and that's a reason for me to get my hands on one copy!

Let me tell you first that the last two songs are a remix of Platchet Soldat and a live version called Poezd Po Rossii recorded last year in Moscow. It's interesting to hear Udo sing in Russian.

But let's talk about the other 3 tracks! Infected is the opener and the only one which will be at the new album Dominator. Infected is a fast, guitar-driven heavy metal tune with Udo Dirkschneider's significant vocals. And a catchy hook. Systematic Madness is based on sharp riffs, but has a different touch. The backings sound a bit automated, but that's used as an effect. The guitar sounds a bit Oriental... Nice guitars. A quite typical rocker is Bodyworld, this one could have been on any other U.D.O. album... Not a bad tune, but something you expect from U.D.O.!

Well, if you should get a chance to grab this one, then do it! Let's see what Dominator will bring us!
 
 










Jörg Petersen


  
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The Wrong Side Of Midnight

(AFM Records - 2007)



 
 

 

With The Wrong Side Of Midnight the heavy metal fans get a first impression of U.D.O. 2007. This EP has 5 tracks including the single and the album version of The Wrong Side Of Midnight as well as some non-album tracks - talking about the European version -  and the Russian version of Cry Soldier Cry - Platchet Soldier. Actually these tracks are the bonus tracks of the Japanese and Russian version of Mastercutor plus Streets Of Sin which won't be released on any album version.

The single version is about a minute shorter then the album version and again I question myself why there is a single and an album version, coz they don't differ much.... The Wrong Side Of Midnight is a heavy rocker with catchy chorus by a mighty choir, but gets due to a slight oriental touch a different vibe. During the bridge Udo Dirkschneider sounds very much like on old Accept days...But then the chorus and the oriental flair makes it differ. With Streets Of Sin they present a grooving riff monster. The following Man Of King Ruler is a bit different and closer to the Balls To The Wall era then to one of the last U.D.O. releases. Most interesting is probably the Russian version of Cry Soldier Cry off Mission X, coz we aren't used to Russian and so it's fascinating. The song fans of Mr. Dirkschneider will know, but in Russian it has something special. The anti war ballad is showing that almost 20 years after They Want War (Animal House) this topic is still red hot. And that Udo is still fighting against war.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Nailed To Metal ...the missing tracks...

(AFM Records - 2003)



 
 

 

A live album of the voice of Accept and so it ain't necessary to introduce Mr. Dirkschneider to the metal fans. With Live In Russia the band already released a live album which was recorded in May 2001 at the end of the Holy world tour. Even if the release contains several old Accept classics like TV War, Heaven Is Hell and I'm A Rebel - just to mention a few -  the fans complained that classics like Fast As A Shark, Balls To The Wall and Princess Of The Dawn were missing. Udo Dirkschneider and his partner in crime Stefan Kaufmann heard the call and so Nailed To Metal ...the missing tracks... was released to quench the thirst of the metal fans. This album is now presenting the missing classics. Songs like Metal Heart and Fast As A Shark sound as fresh as in the days of their release. It seems that the band won't get tired of playing them live again and again. I think it ain't necessary to talk about the band members and their talent, coz almost every metal fan - at least in Europe - saw them live once. Only drummer Lorenzo Milani should be mentioned, coz he had the chance in a more then 4 min. long drum solo to show his abilities. A quite good drummer. Special is the live atmosphere of this album - and the Live In Russia release - which is amazing. The thousands of Russian fans who sang along gives you shivers. Wow, this is killer!

For fans who already have the Live In Russia album this a way to complete it. For fans of the early Accept days, the days their classics saw the light of day this is probably enough to get a dose of Accept / U.D.O. metal.

It should be mentioned that this CD is also released in a CD/DVD package with the DVD - the DVD is also available without the CD - the DVD contains a complete history of U.D.O. as well as unreleased bonus songs, video clips and live footage. The DVD has a running time of 255 min.! In addition with the CD - the box set - it has more then 315 min. of metal!!!! What else can you ask for?!?!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Live From Russland

(Breaker/SPV - 2001)



 
 

 

CDs which are released in form of a book is in since Iced Earth released Horror Show that way. The new album of U.D.O. is called Live in Russland and is a double CD and a great booklet with tons of photos from the tour. It ain't necessary to talk about cult figure Udo Dirkschneider, coz he is 'Mr. Metal Germany' and is known by everybody who is listening to metal. Here is the track list for all the true metal fans: Holy, Midnight Mover, Animal House, Metal Eater, Break The Rules, Monster Man and many more... At all 25 songs and a drum solo! Now you know what you'll spend your money for this month!

And when I take a closer look, there isn't one Accept song which have been on an Accept live album. An album full of U.D.O.! Additionally you get the outstanding live atmosphere, reactions from the audience and a killer sound! A highlight for every die-hard U.D.O. fan! Get your copy now!
 
 










Volker Raabe
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)


  
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           ©2008-2009 by Claudia Ehrhardt • E-Mail: contact@ice-vajal.com