For longtime fans of UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER, ‘Blindfold’ feels like an old acquaintance: previously heard in an orchestral version on the 2020 „We Are One„ album, the song now returns in a gripping new rock version. With its successful blend of emotion and classic heavy rock atmosphere, Blindfold is one of the most emotional moments on the current DATOG album „Babylon“, released on October 3rd, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).
Filmed entirely in stylish black and white, the music video captures the raw emotion and powerful interplay of the band perfectly, showing DATOG more intimate, direct, and sensitive than ever before.
Manuela’s heartfelt vocals and Mathias’ classical concert guitar turn Blindfold into a stirring rock ballad that reaches its ultimate climax in the final chorus with Udo’s unmistakable voice. With Blindfold, DATOG not only offer longtime Udo Dirkschneider fans a welcome reunion with this very special track, but will also win over many new fans through this video.
DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) was originally launched in 2020 as a one-off charity project, but quickly developed a momentum of its own and formed into a band consisting of Udo Dirkschneider (vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Peter Baltes (bass, vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Stefan Kaufmann (guitar; ACCEPT/U.D.O.), Mathias “Don” Dieth (guitar; SINNER/U.D.O.), Sven Dirkschneider (drums; U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER) and Manuela “Ella” Bibert (vocals). Between 2020 and 2021 their first three singles attracted a lot of attention, whereupon the band wrote more songs and recorded their debut album. With a unique vocal concept of three voices, powerful riffs and stylistic complexity, DATOG combine classic heavy metal with a modern, powerful production.
DATOG are: Udo Dirkschneider | lead vocals Peter Baltes | bass, lead & backing vocals Manuela “Ella” Bibert | lead & backing vocals, keys Stefan Kaufmann | guitars, backing vocals Mathias “Don” Dieth | guitars, backing vocals Sven Dirkschneider | drums, backing vocals
With the album „Babylon“ now out for just over a month, DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG can celebrate not only impressive chart positions in several countries, but also a wave of acclaim from both fans and the international music press.
Among the album’s many praised moments, ‘Beyond The End Of Time’ has emerged as a clear favourite, a near-eight-minute epic that closes the album on a deeply emotional and timeless note.
Experience the newly released video for this track today, a powerful visual companion to one of the album’s most captivating songs:
‘Beyond The End Of Time’ would also still fit into an era in which people once sang about princesses. The monotonous yet harmonious band accompaniment creates space for the emotional vocals of Udo, Peter and Manuela. Although almost eight minutes long, the piece remains captivating, constantly sets new accents and can even put the listener into a trance-like state.
As the closing statement of Babylon, ‘Beyond The End Of Time’ feels like both a reflection and a promise, a song that bridges the past and present of heavy metal with heart and conviction. It’s no surprise that fans have taken to it as one of the standout moments of the band’s new chapter.
DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) was originally launched in 2020 as a one-off charity project, but quickly developed a momentum of its own and formed into a band consisting of Udo Dirkschneider (vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Peter Baltes (bass, vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Stefan Kaufmann (guitar; ACCEPT/U.D.O.), Mathias “Don” Dieth (guitar; SINNER/U.D.O.), Sven Dirkschneider (drums; U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER) and Manuela “Ella” Bibert (vocals). Between 2020 and 2021 their first three singles attracted a lot of attention, whereupon the band wrote more songs and recorded their debut album. With a unique vocal concept of three voices, powerful riffs and stylistic complexity, DATOG combine classic heavy metal with a modern, powerful production.
DATOG are: Udo Dirkschneider | lead vocals Peter Baltes | bass, lead & backing vocals Manuela “Ella” Bibert | lead & backing vocals, keys Stefan Kaufmann | guitars, backing vocals Mathias “Don” Dieth | guitars, backing vocals Sven Dirkschneider | drums, backing vocals
What a story! Over the past few years, a charity campaign featuring six prominent musicians for the benefit of artists affected by the coronavirus lockdown has developed into a spectacular project that will undoubtedly cause a sensation. We are talking about Dirkschneider And The Old Gang, DATOG for short, with a line-up whose majority has had a decisive influence on the history of heavy metal over the past four decades.
Udo Dirkschneider was the founder and long-time singer of Accept and, after leaving the band, also led his follow-up bands, U.D.O. and DIRKSCHNEIDER, to international fame. In DATOG he is joined by Peter Baltes (bass, vocals; ACCEPT, DIRKSCHNEIDER), Stefan Kaufmann (guitar; ACCEPT, U.D.O.) and Mathias Dieth (guitar; SiINNER, U.D.O.) as well as Udo’s son Sven Dirkschneider (drums; U.D.O., DIRKSCHNEIDER), who has played for his dad for the last ten years. The sixth member of the gang is singer Manuela Bibert, who has not been let off the hook since her great performance on the recording of the U.D.O. orchestra album We Are One in the spring of 2019.
In this constellation, three DATOG singles, (‘Where The Angels Fly’, ‘Face Of A Stranger’ and ‘Every Heart Is Burning’), were created between summer 2020 and fall 2021. This got the train rolling: “The whole thing developed a momentum of its own, that we hadn’t expected in this form,” Kaufmann looks back somewhat surprised. “After the singles incredibly went viral, fans, record companies and concert agencies immediately got in touch and wanted to know whether there was more to come… what the prospects were for a full album?”
The answer is here: “Babylon” is out now via Reigning Phoenix Music and you should not miss it.
With a three-singer concept — Dirkschneider, Bibert, Baltes — DATOG delivers a unique mix of vocal profiles that proves to be the band’s unmistakable trademark. “Of course, we didn’t even try to split the vocals equally, but carefully analyzed whose voice would fit best for each part,” explains Udo Dirkschneider. The same applies to songwriting, which followed the motto exclusively: The best songs win!
A wise decision, as the twelve songs on Babylon show! Within a clearly defined stylistic direction and alongside magnificent solo performances, especially from exceptional guitarist Mathias “Don” Dieth, the album impresses with great complexity and an enormous wealth of facets.
With Babylon, the German all-star band presents twelve brilliant metal songs which, despite their unusual vocal concept, never degenerate into a Babylonian confusion of voices. Quite the opposite: the album inspires both compositionally and vocally and convinces every sound fetishist with its transparent yet powerful production.
And this is not the end of the journey: the video story of the songs will unfold for all of the album tracks, keeping fans engaged visually and musically until the very last note, not least reminding everyone, to give the record one more spin.
Though the album leans into a hard rock side, the band members’ heavy metal foundation shines through, best showcased on the focus track and new video ‘Metal Sons’.
‘Metal Sons’ is a tribute to true, original heavy metal: a powerful guitar riff that seems to have been born out of another time period, Udo’s usual uncompromising vocals, plus screaming guitar solos and a chorus that will have every heavy metal fan automatically headbanging and shouting along. Thanks to its modern arrangement, the song is nevertheless (or precisely because of this) a musical treat of a very special kind.
Tracklist “Babylon:
It Takes Two To Tango
Babylon
Hellbreaker
Time To Listen
Strangers In Paradise
Dead Man’s Hand
The Law Of A Madman
Metal Sons
Propaganda
Blindfold
Batter The Power
Beyond The End Of Time
“Babylon” is now available in a variety of stunning formats: -Limited Red, Gold & Black Marbled Gatefold Double Vinyl -Limited Red Opaque & Black Marbled Gatefold Double Vinyl -Gold Opaque Double Vinyl -Deluxe Earbook Edition with CD and enhanced 36-page booklet -Digipak CD featuring a 24-page booklet -Jewelcase CD featuring a 24-page booklet
DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) was originally launched in 2020 as a one-off charity project, but quickly developed a momentum of its own and formed into a band consisting of Udo Dirkschneider (vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Peter Baltes (bass, vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Stefan Kaufmann (guitar; ACCEPT/U.D.O.), Mathias “Don” Dieth (guitar; SINNER/U.D.O.), Sven Dirkschneider (drums; U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER) and Manuela “Ella” Bibert (vocals). Between 2020 and 2021 their first three singles attracted a lot of attention, whereupon the band wrote more songs and recorded their debut album. With a unique vocal concept of three voices, powerful riffs and stylistic complexity, DATOG combine classic heavy metal with a modern, powerful production.
DATOG are: Udo Dirkschneider | lead vocals Peter Baltes | bass, lead & backing vocals Manuela “Ella” Bibert | lead & backing vocals, keys Stefan Kaufmann | guitars, backing vocals Mathias “Don” Dieth | guitars, backing vocals Sven Dirkschneider | drums, backing vocals
DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) have unleashed ‘Babylon,’ the monumental title track from their upcoming album, set for release on October 3, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).
DATOG’s ‘Babylon’ pulls you in with eastern-tinged melodies and takes you on a magic carpet ride through lands of myth and mystery.
The band describes the song so: “‘Babylon’ is an absolutely worthy title track. Featuringa pounding, ultra-hard riff, plusthe vocal melodies of Udo, Peter and Manuela thattransport you straight into a fairy tale from “One Thousand and One Nights.” The guitar arrangements and especially Mathias’ solo guitar work support the imaginative atmosphere and drive the song to its absolute climax.”
Lyrically, ‘Babylon’ invites listeners to walk the world of wonders where every tale is true – through mystic havens, desert nights, and golden treasures shining bright for the Holy Queen of Babylon. It’s a song that dares to cross the line between fantasy and heavy metal firepower, guiding fans into a place “where the holy gate’s gonna be your fate.”
As the title track, ‘Babylon’ is the perfect metaphor for the content of the album itself: behind the holy gates, treasures are unveiled. Both single and music video offer a splendid final taste of DATOG’s unparalleled artistry before the official album release – a musical journey fans will want to experience again and again.
Set for release on October 3, 2025 by Reigning Phoenix Music, “Babylon” is now available for pre-order in a variety of formats:
Limited Red, Gold & Black Marbled Gatefold Double Vinyl
Limited Red Opaque & Black Marbled Gatefold Double Vinyl
Gold Opaque Double Vinyl
Deluxe Earbook Edition with CD and enhanced 36-page booklet
Digipak CD featuring a 24-page booklet
Jewelcase CD featuring a 24-page booklet
Pre-orders are available now – secure your copy of this powerful statement from one of metal’s most iconic voices and this extraordinary band: https://datog.rpm.link/babylonPR
DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) was originally launched in 2020 as a one-off charity project, but quickly developed a momentum of its own and formed into a band consisting of Udo Dirkschneider (vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Peter Baltes (bass, vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Stefan Kaufmann (guitar; ACCEPT/U.D.O.), Mathias “Don” Dieth (guitar; SINNER/U.D.O.), Sven Dirkschneider (drums; U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER) and Manuela “Ella” Bibert (vocals). Between 2020 and 2021 their first three singles attracted a lot of attention, whereupon the band wrote more songs and recorded their debut album. With a unique vocal concept of three voices, powerful riffs and stylistic complexity, DATOG combine classic heavy metal with a modern, powerful production.
DATOG are: Udo Dirkschneider | lead vocals Peter Baltes | bass, lead & backing vocals Manuela “Ella” Bibert | lead & backing vocals, keys Stefan Kaufmann | guitars, backing vocals Mathias “Don” Dieth | guitars, backing vocals Sven Dirkschneider | drums, backing vocals
If you’ve been following the journey of “Babylon”, the highly anticipated debut full-length album from DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG, you already know what kind of powerhouse material this band delivers. Now, with the release of their fifth single, ‘Dead Man’s Hand’, the stakes are raised yet again. And if this is your first taste of the project – sit back, hit play, and enjoy this high-energy video clip pulled straight from the band’s studio sessions.
‘Dead Man’s Hand’ has a unique backstory: originally composed by ManuelaBibert on piano, the early demo featured only vocals and keys. From there, it was transferred note for note to guitar and Hammond organ. The results are unique: A pounding guitar riff meets a distorted, snarling organ line to form the backbone of a song that’s both driving and infectious.
Udo Dirkschneider, the iconic frontman and heavy metal legend, brings a vocal performance which by his own admission – are exceptional for him. But the surprises don’t stop there: both PeterBaltes and Manuela step up with unexpected vocal highlights, adding rich texture and dimension to the track. And then there’s the chorus: a hands-in-the-air, stadium-sized refrain that just begs you to shout or sing along with.
With a “good time” spirit that perfectly balances the song’s grit and groove, ‘Dead Man’s Hand’ showcases everything that makes DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG a thrilling new chapter in classic metal history.
Set for release on October 3, 2025 by Reigning Phoenix Music, “Babylon” is now available for pre-order: https://datog.rpm.link/babylonPR
DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) was originally launched in 2020 as a one-off charity project, but quickly developed a momentum of its own and formed into a band consisting of Udo Dirkschneider (vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Peter Baltes (bass, vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Stefan Kaufmann (guitar; ACCEPT/U.D.O.), Mathias “Don” Dieth (guitar; SINNER/U.D.O.), Sven Dirkschneider (drums; U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER) and Manuela “Ella” Bibert (vocals). Between 2020 and 2021 their first three singles attracted a lot of attention, whereupon the band wrote more songs and recorded their debut album. With a unique vocal concept of three voices, powerful riffs and stylistic complexity, DATOG combine classic heavy metal with a modern, powerful production.
DATOG are: Udo Dirkschneider | lead vocals Peter Baltes | bass, lead & backing vocals Manuela “Ella” Bibert | lead & backing vocals, keys Stefan Kaufmann | guitars, backing vocals Mathias “Don” Dieth | guitars, backing vocals Sven Dirkschneider | drums, backing vocals
With “It Takes Six To Rock!” – the core message of their enthusiastically received latest single- still echoing in everyone’s heads, DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG strike again. Only one month after ‘It Takes Two To Tango,’ they’ve shortened the wait for their upcoming album “Babylon,” set for release in October 2025 on Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). The second new track, ‘Time To Listen,’ cranks up the anticipation even more and delivers another high-energy preview of what fans can look forward to.
The band describes the song as follows: “‘Time To Listen’ is an up-tempo song that once again shines with DATOG’s typically diversified lead vocals. A soaring guitar riff paves the way for a powerful Udo performance, accompanied by Peter’s harmony vocals and continues with Manuela’s sustained two-part vocals. The chorus, with its convincing power casts a spell over everyone. Here also, Mathias’ guitar solo is a marvel of ingenuity that ignores all convention and whips through the musical realms in an unconventional manner. The compact and powerful ending is just as uncompromising as the beginning of the song.”
With ‘Time To Listen,’DATOG once again highlight their unique identity and their commitment to making bold musical statements – energetic, authentic, and with a signature sound that’s instantly recognisable.
DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) was originally launched in 2020 as a one-off charity project, but quickly developed a momentum of its own and formed into a band consisting of Udo Dirkschneider (vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Peter Baltes (bass, vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Stefan Kaufmann (guitar; ACCEPT/U.D.O.), Mathias “Don” Dieth (guitar; SINNER/U.D.O.), Sven Dirkschneider (drums; U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER) and Manuela “Ella” Bibert (vocals). Between 2020 and 2021 their first three singles attracted a lot of attention, whereupon the band wrote more songs and recorded their debut album. With a unique vocal concept of three voices, powerful riffs and stylistic complexity, DATOG combine classic heavy metal with a modern, powerful production.
DATOG are: Udo Dirkschneider | lead vocals Peter Baltes | bass, lead & backing vocals Manuela “Ella” Bibert | lead & backing vocals, key instruments Stefan Kaufmann | guitars, backing vocals Mathias “Don” Dieth | guitars, backing vocals Sven Dirkschneider | drums, backing vocals
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