Accept – Stalingrad – Album Review
| Website: | www.acceptworldwide.com |
| Fans Of: | Judas Priest, Saxon |
| Label: | Nuclear Blast |
| Download This: | Stalingrad, Flash to Bang Time |
| Genre(s): | Heavy Metal |
| Release Date: | 06/04/12 |
Accept have always stayed very true to their Germanic heavy metal roots, their music is formulaic, strong, military in places and rip-roaringly good. Taking on an American frontman in the form of Mark Tornillo could have been considered a risky move by the band, remember the not so successful dance with David Reece in the late 80’s? However, Mark Tornillo makes it work, and makes it work well, he fits into the sound of Accept like he’s always belonged there. Great stuff!
With the follow-up to their 2010 non-Udo (Dirkshneider) come-back album, Blood of the Nations they open Stalingrad like only Accept can, with a strong guitar intro that picks up where Blood of the Nations left off. This is pretty stereotypical Accept with a fresh breath of air running through it, complete with some elements of Judas Priest and Saxon making an appearance here and there.
The theme throughout this album, funnily enough, is Russia, the vocals make it very clear what’s going on; the music takes you on a journey of war, violence, loss and desperation. The urgency in the guitar riffs is powerful, moving at times. Mark Tornillo’s vocals are intense and hold their own in songs where there is a lot going on instrumentally. I’m in awe of tracks such as ‘Stalingrad’ and ‘Flash to Bang Time’ which are everything we expect from Accept strong: heavy and intense. You get to ‘Twist of Fate’ and get a track with blues licks with the Accept metal layer over the top.
It’s safe to say that, with this album, Accept really are back and better than ever. It’s hard to believe this is a band who have been on the go for decades, there’s been such a sense of rejuvenation through this and their last album. Accept are kicking ass and taking no prisoners. Stalingrad easily makes it into my top 3 Accept albums of all time. Accept aren’t just back, they’re BACK!
Track Listing
1. Hung, Drawn And Quartered (4:35)
2. Stalingrad (5:59)
3. Hellfire (6:07)
4. Flash To Bang Time (4:06)
5. Shadow Soldiers (5:47)
6. Revolution (4:08)
7. Against The World (3:36)
8. Twist Of Fate (5:30)
9. The Quick And The Dead (4:25)
10. The Galley (7:21)
I disagree. To me, this album was overall a disappointment. After their outstanding Blood of the Nations album, which kicks butt on almost every song, this on just doesn’t cut it. I do agree though, that Stalingrad and a couple others are pretty good.
I also wholeheartedly agree that Mark is awesome. I learned about the album on That Metal Show, and later saw Mark on the show. He definitely takes over where Udo left off.
Please Udo comeback n ew Accept its s***