What can be said about a band that has such metal prestige as ACCEPT?! They smashed their way back to the forefront of the metal music scene in 2010 with their storming comeback album “Blood Of The Nations”, along with new vocalist Mark Tornillo. They haven’t looked back since and are one of the hardest working bands in the business, releasing “Stalingrad” in 2012 and new album “Blind Rage” in August this year, to rave reviews around the world.
ACCEPT have been showcasing “Blind Rage” on stage around the world for the last few months, including their very first time playing in Australia much to the delight of the diehard fans there. The band were in London for their show at The Forum on Thursday 27th November, one of the last of this 2014 tour.
I have been lucky to interview original guitarist and mainman Wolf Hoffmann several times before and this time we caught up back stage in the afternoon before the show. Wolf was relaxed and we enjoyed a fun chat, not totally focusing on “Blind Rage” as it has been done many times by now.
Read a few snippets from the conversation below and listen in full on the audio player.
Wolf Hoffmann, ACCEPT, With Blackdiamond The London Forum, November 2014
Discussing the state of the world today and its many problems, linked with the song ‘Wanna Be Free’, Wolf expressed his thoughts:
“There’s so much potential catastrophe’s going on right now, it makes you wonder you know, is the world going down the drain or are we just thinking about it more because we hear it so much more. We got the 24 hour news, you always wonder is it really for the better, it never seems to go away.
That song deals with the fact that deep down inside, everybody wants to be free, not just politically. We wanted to look at different aspects of freedom.”
The exciting subject of Wolf working on his next classical album arose, check out what he had to say:
“I’m actually gonna see some people in a couple of days, I wanna do some orchestral overdubs with some string players and hopefully I can do this when I have a little bit of time off in January and February. I can hopefully get some overdubs done then and that the album will be ready next year to be released. It’s 80% recorded – I’ve got most of the guitars, all of the drums, so it’s coming along, just slowly because it’s always taking a backseat to all the other activities you know. When Mama Accept calls, I have to drop everything and that’s number one.”
Talking of the comments that the ‘best is to come’ for ACCEPT, Wolf revealed:
“I’ve always had the philosophy that you should never really think you’ve done your thing and you can sit back and relax. I think you always have to challenge yourself as an artist and try and get better on stage. You should try to write the next best song, a better album next time around and that’s what motivates me. I honestly believe we haven’t written the best song yet and we haven’t played the best show yet.
I think it’s a game where you’re supposed to get better, you know it’s not like you’re a swimmer or something where you peak in your twenties. I think as a musician, the longer you do it, the better you get – hopefully.”
Rounding up a busy year which has so far included a European tour with UFO, a headline UK tour, support slots with The Winery Dogs and Scott Stapp, and a slot at Sonisphere, Knebworth, VOODOO SIX play out the year with two further shows:
27 November: Special Guests of ACCEPT at The Forum, London
7 December: Planet Rockstock, Trecco Bay, Wales
Following the recent departure of vocalist Luke Purdie, shows will go ahead with vocalist Nik Taylor Stoakes.
2014 has been a busy year for Voodoo Six, having completed a headline UK tour in March, followed immediately by a European tour as Special Guests of UFO, and a slot supporting Scott Stapp at the Electric Ballroom, London.
Summer shows included a packed Bohemia tent at Sonisphere Festival and support to The Winery Dogs on their sold out shows in Wolverhampton and London at the personal invitation of Mike Portnoy.
The end of the year sees Voodoo Six play at The Forum in London as Special Guests of Accept, followed by a main stage slot at Planet Rockstock in early December.
The band is presently working on a new album to be released in 2015.
In 2013, Voodoo Six released Songs To Invade Countries To, which continues to be critically acclaimed, and were main support on arguably the tour of the year: the legendary Iron Maiden’s ‘Maiden England’ European tour, a tour which comprised 28 shows in 18 countries in arenas, stadiums and festivals, playing to an estimated 300,000 people and culminating in a sold-out show at the O2 Arena in their hometown of London.
A stunning new video for live favourite Stop, filmed and recorded live on the Iron Maiden tour has just been released, now viewable on the band’s YouTube channel, along with promos for Lead Me On, Falling Knives, Your Way, and Sink or Swim.
The latest album Songs To Invade Countries To was the follow-up to their 2010 album Fluke?, released through Classic Rock magazine’s Powerage Records and mixed by uber studio engineer Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Aerosmith, Metallica, Jimmy Page).
Songs To Invade Countries To consists of 11 tracks mixed by Tony Newton & Pedro Ferreira (The Darkness, Enter Shikari, Therapy?) and mastered by Ade Emsley (Iron Maiden, Steve Harris). The album was recorded & mixed at Steve Harris’ Barnyard Studio UK and released worldwide on May 27th on Spinefarm/Universal, the same date V6 started their mammoth European trek with Iron Maiden.
The album release was preceded by single Sink Or Swim on March 4, and featured remixed versions of three songs from the hugely successful Falling Knives digital format EP, which reached number 2 in the Amazon chart and was on Planet Rock radio’s ‘A’ playlist for over 6 weeks.
The Iron Maiden tour came at the perfect time for the band, having just completed what they felt was their strongest album yet.
Iron Maiden founder and bassist Steve Harris commented: “I’ve been keeping an eye on Voodoo Six for a while now and they’ve produced a cracking new album with real promise. It’s great to support true British up and coming talent such as theirs and it’ll be a pleasure to have them out with us on tour.”
Voodoo Six founding member Tony Newton commented after the tour: “This was a huge deal for us and an amazing opportunity to support arguably the most iconic band in metal history. We came up with the album title ‘Songs To Invade Countries To’ ages ago since we’ve been wanting to get our music across to European shores for a long time – but it’s been made a reality by being chosen to support Iron Maiden on those dates.
It’s been such an amazing experience, the reception each night has been simply overwhelming. Maiden and their crew have treated us so well. This tour has become the best and most exciting time of our lives so far. We were absolutely thrilled to be added to the London show, having been so busy constantly touring all of Europe, it was a great feeling to give the UK a chance to see what we’ve been up to.”
ACCEPT is one of those bands which really need no introduction. Having reached a legendary status across the heavy metal world back in the ’80s, the band returned with a vengeance on their reunion record “Blood Of The Nations” in 2010. In August, the band released their 14th studio effort “Blind Rage” via Nuclear Blast Records.
With this album, ACCEPT have delivered a thunderstorm of riffs courtesy of guitar god Wolf Hoffman, while another notable (and newer) ACCEPT trademark, is the voice of singer Mark Tornillo. The New Jersey born musician has been the man behind the microphone since the ACCEPT reunion took off in 2009. Within the course of the three albums (Blood Of The Nations, Stalingrad and Blind Rage), he has grown into his role as frontman of the ‘Teutonic Terrors’. Hoffmann, who likes to call himself a “natural born perfectionist”, praises his bandmate, stating “his accomplishment is outstanding”.
“Blind Rage” was produced by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH) and the cover artwork was done by Daniel Goldsworthy (HELL).
The band is set to return to the UK on the 27th of November, for a one-off show at The Forum in Kentish Town, London.
Support for the night will come from VOODOO SIX.
This is a show that all fans of classic heavy metal must witness.
For more information on ACCEPT and their tour dates, check the official website at this location. To join the Facebook event for the show click here.
German metal giants ACCEPT released their latest album “Blind Rage” in August. Since then, the band have been trailing a metal blaze around the world with their Blind Rage Tour 2014. The first single from the album was ‘Stampede’, the video for which was shot in the deserts of California. ACCEPT have now released an interesting ‘behind the scenes’ video which can be seen below. The whole process was shot by Scott Diussa with a Nikon D4s and the band photo was shot by Alan Hess.
The band are preparing for their next run of tour dates which continue in Japan from 7th November, before going on to Australia. Check out the full list for the rest of 2014:
07-Nov-2014 Hiroshima (JP), Club Quattro
09-Nov-2014 Osaka (JP), Umeda Club Quattro
10-Nov-2014 Nagoya (JP), Bottom Line
11-Nov-2014 Tokyo (JP), EX Theater Roppongi
14-Nov-2014 Sydney (AU), Factory Theatre
15-Nov-2014 Melbourne (AU), The Corner Hotel
16-Nov-2014 Brisbane (AU), The Hi Fi
27-Nov-2014 London (GB), Forum
28-Nov-2014 Vilnius (LT), Forum Palace
30-Nov-2014 Moscow (RU), Stadium Live
For more information, visit the official Accept website here.
English heavy rockers VOODOO SIX have been announced as the support band on ACCEPT‘s London leg of their “Blind Rage” Tour. The show will take place at The Forum on 27th November and tickets can be purchased at this location.
For more information on the worldwide “Blind Rage” tour dates, visit the official ACCEPT website here. To join the Facebook event for the show, visit this location.
Review By Teresa Hopkins Artist: ACCEPT Album: BLIND RAGE Label: Nuclear Blast Release Date: August 15, 2014 (Europe) August 19, 2014 (USA)
Tracklist:
1. Stampede
2. Dying Breed
3. Dark Side Of My Heart
4. Fall Of The Empire
5. Trail Of Tears
6. Wanna Be Free
7. 200 Years
8. Bloodbath Mastermind
9. From The Ashes We Rise
10. The Curse
11. Final Journey
12. Thrown To The Wolves (Bonus Track, Japan Only)
While known for churning out some of the best and most memorable metal riffs around, Wolf Hoffmann also creates a very symphonic feel in the compositions he helps to write, as evidenced especially in ACCEPT‘s last three albums. They’re heavier than ever, but there’s definitely some purposeful structure in the songs that remind me so much of the Great Classical Composers, to the extent that I feel they’d sound killer played by a full orchestra. Hoffmann possesses that same passion and ability to create the perfect mood for each song within the melodies and riffs, so much that even if they were instrumentals, there would be no question as to the themes. He may have gained even deeper understanding and influence with respect to songwriting and arrangements during the making of his solo album Classical, poring over each measure and transition while modernizing some of his favorite classical music with his own personal stamp and style.
Each song from “Blind Rage” stands well on its own, but these are songs that only seem stronger when presented in a collection such as this. One needs to experience the total package, if you will, to fully appreciate the parts that make it complete.
‘Stampede’ begins the album with the same kind of slow-building intensity that Tchaikovsky’s ‘Slavonic March’ gave ‘Metal Heart’, before kicking in to a fast-paced, in-your-face heavy number. It gets my attention right away. Moving seamlessly into the slower yet steady tempo of ‘Dying Breed’, the band pays respect to their heroes and peers in the coolest of tributes without even having to name names—there’s no mistaking them in this most clever and poetic ode to some of the greatest in metal and rock who paved the way.
‘Dark Side Of My Heart’ is neo-classic ACCEPT all the way. The mid-80s era feel, very melodic with a terrific hook and a steady, upbeat tempo, has an even bigger and better sound in the modern day. After each line in the verses, the guitar riff gets incrementally heavier, and it’s subtleties like this that I totally dig.
The combination of a slower-paced, marching beat and the slight melancholy feel, rich with the band’s trademark wall of powerful, Wagnerian background vocals immediately puts ACCEPT‘s stamp on ‘Fall of the Empire’. Quite simply, it is epic. This is one of those songs in which the music and the overall feel completely encompass and reflect the title perfectly. Mark is great at making a statement with his words and singing them with conviction, and it’s nice to hear him in lower ranges now and then throughout the album.
There is no doubt in my mind as to the skill, versatility, and physical fitness of Stefan Schwarzmann. After hearing ‘Trail of Tears’, I think the man could keep up with a cheetah in a foot race—and then go on to pass it by! This one hits the ground running and doesn’t let up for the duration of the song.
A lovely acoustic intro in A Minor opens ‘Wanna Be Free’, its sweet-melancholy, lonely feel setting the mood for Mark’s lyrics. Wolf’s Framus has such a lovely, chiming tone in all the little fills during the verses, almost like a second lead vocal, and it contrasts so nicely with the snappy low end of Peter’s bass. The guitar solo is a little reminiscent of those from classics like “Turn Me On” and “Head Over Heels” from Balls to the Wall—that soaring, emotional, spiritual element that made me fall in love with his playing in the first place. But there’s scarcely time to linger as ‘200 Years’ changes gears, and now it’s the world after apocalypse! “Population: ZEROOOO…” It’s a steady driving track track that sticks in my head as much as the rest of them!
The twisted tone of the intro melody illustrates descent into the insanity of ‘Bloodbath Mastermind’. Stefan’s drumming builds and intensifies the anticipation as Wolf’s riffing and Peter’s thundering, ominous bass notes join his pace. Some terrific primal screaming by Mark, who actually seems to get vocally stronger with each album! Lots of energy, more of those subtle yet terrific “laser gun” sounding things Wolf slips in every now and then at just the right time for impact, and here’s another one of my favorites on the album
I know why Wolf raves on the sound of his Framus Signature. It flat out delivers, in whatever direction or sound he wants to go. Listen to that gorgeous chiming in the double stops for the intro of ‘From The Ashes We Rise’. The simplicity of only the guitar and Mark’s voice makes a powerful statement. Sometimes you really can say more with less. When the rest of the band joins in to fill it out, Wolf’s guitar takes on a dirty-sweet tone with a lot of drive. I love that Mark has the ability to write and sing about things which others who’ve been devastated by them can’t quite put into words. Similar to the feel of newer favorites like “Time Machine” and “Twist of Fate”, this song is a real standout. “BRING IT ON! BRING IT ON!” Indeed.
‘The Curse’, with its steady, marching beat and the smooth groove of Peter’s bass made me immediately think of ‘Shadow Soldiers’ from Stalingrad and Black Sabbath’s “Heaven and Hell”. Whether or not that was intentional, I don’t care; I dig it. And that Mark eerily reminds me of DIO a little bit at times only adds more power to the delivery of the song. Instant classic factor: check!
‘Final Journey’: Destination Unknown. In the middle of the solo in this powerful, frenetic, metal musing of physical and spiritual transition, something completely unexpected: a tune I had become most familiar with as a child via elementary music appreciation and Saturday mornings watching the Looney Tunes show. But what I’m hearing now isn’t anything like that slow, angelic-sounding waltz on a solo flute that I remember! In a recent interview I conducted with Wolf, he stated that he’d been contemplating the right context in which to showcase Grieg’s ‘Morning Mood’ from Peer Gynt for many years. Though he’s incorporated bits of classical pieces into a few of their songs before, this one was approached a bit differently: he wrote an entire composition around the Grieg piece! If this sort of thing keeps up, we might soon change the term “ACCEPT album” to “ACCEPT symphony” in reference to new releases.
If that last remark scared the hard-core metalheads a little, rest assured, this band works as much virile metal mojo as ever—more than ever! Right out of the cage, ‘Thrown to the Wolves’ goes back to the basics in a stripped-down, upbeat lament of love gone wrong. Heavy and sexy. I like it! That riff is wide open and it has a killer bite. The Framus Signature was used throughout the entire album, and its versatility, power, and sustain are as evident in the great grooves of this track as the rest of the songs. I’m disappointed that only Japan continues to benefit from the bonus tracks like this, but I’ll probably end up getting a Japanese version as well. It’s all good!
This latest album is not so much derivative of the band’s classic material as it seems to be the rediscovery of their roots and the foundation on which this band was built: the pure love of making music and writing great songs. Further evolving and expanding on that, ACCEPT continues to deliver with inimitable fashion to their fans all over the world. Cheers to Andy Sneap for helping to bring out their best, yet again.
“Blind Rage” is a must-have for die-hard ACCEPT fans as well as anyone just discovering the band. It wonderfully represents what they’re all about, past, present, and future.
Rating: 9/10
Visit us here again at Metal Shock Finland for news, tour updates, and more. For those and all other things related to the band, check out their official website: http://www.acceptworldwide.com
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Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
ACCEPT is one of those bands which really need no introduction. Having reached a legendary status across the heavy metal world back in the ’80s, the band returned with a vengeance on their reunion record “Blood Of The Nations” in 2010. In August, the band released their 14th studio effort “Blind Rage” via Nuclear Blast Records.
Artist: ACCEPT
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 