Russia has a special meaning for Udo Dirkschneider and his band U.D.O.. They were one of the very first international artists to tour the huge country of Russia – and their fans are still very thankful until this day.
So recording a LIVE DVD to highlight the “Steelhammer” tour was an opportunity the band didn’t want to miss. It is the first LIVE release of U.D.O.’s new line-up which easily convinced fans and critics alike on recent festivals and headlining gigs. The band comes up with an exceptional setlist, incl. many classics that haven’t been played for a long time, fan favorites and tracks from the recent success album “Steelhammer”. U.D.O. once again prove why they are hailed as one of the best European live bands. “Steelhammer – Live From Moscow” will be available as DVD/2-CD, Bluray/2-CD and triple-Vinyl in Russian national colors (tricolor), via AFM Records.
German Metal Icon Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O.) signs a long term contract with AFM Records. The new deal includes the release of 3 albums plus 3 dvds.
“We feel very comfortable with AFM Records and we appreciate the good vibes” says Udo Dirkschneider. “The mutual understanding is perfect and our individual wishes and ideas are respected and converted. This is obviously hard to find in the music business nowadays”
Jochen Richert is very proud that U.D.O. remains part of the AFM family. “We wanted such an extensive deal with U.D.O. because the cooperation has proved fertile in the past. U.D.O. is one of our biggest acts, sales figures have grown constantly; this proves that – together – we are successful!”
“Heavy Rain”, the new video from U.D.O., the German metal band led by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, can be seen below. The song comes off U.D.O.‘s new album, “Steelhammer”, which was released on May 24 via AFM Records. The CD was produced by Dirkschneider and Fitty Wienhold.
Guitarist Igor Gianola recently left U.D.O. and was replaced by Finnish axeman Kasperi Heikkinen.
U.D.O. last year announced the addition of guitarist Andrey Smirnov to the group’s ranks. He replaced Stefan Kaufmann, who left the group for health reasons.
Stefan will continue to work with U.D.O. behind the scenes and produce other bands at his Roxx studio.
Kaufmann was the drummer for ACCEPT on nine albums but was forced to give up drumming towards the end of the band’s initial run due to health problems.
Stefan joined U.D.O. as a guitar player in 1996, following ACCEPT‘s second breakup, and has recorded nine albums with them.
“Live In Sofia”, the new DVD +CD and Blu-ray+CD from U.D.O., entered the Music DVD chart in Finland at position No. 1 and in Germany at No. 4.
“Live In Sofia” contains footage of U.D.O.‘s November 16, 2011 concert at Hristo Botev Hall in Sofia, Bulgaria.
U.D.O. / ex-ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider recently spoke with Mark Dean at Myglobalmind.com. An excerpt from the interview is available below:
Q: There are many bands of the eighties which was when your former band Accept achieved their success that have reformed and reunited in recent years. Is that something that you have ever been approached about doing, is it something that would interest you?
Udo: “That’s a very long story. Of course I have certainly been asked. Unfortunately, Wolf is telling everybody that he has never been in touch with me, though I can show you tons of emails. I have been asked about rejoining for a reunion and didn’t directly say no. I did it already once and there was a lot of shit happened. I then said ‘OK guys if I do this then I want to have this and this…’ Wolf then said that he didn’t want to do it, so I said ‘Goodbye, thank you very much and good luck (laughs).’
Q: Do you then prefer to focus on U.D.O., and the future for that band rather than looking back to your legacy with Accept?
Udo: “Yes. The problem is if I did Accept again and it doesn’t work, then there was an issue regarding the name with Wolf. He was stealing the name in the eighties. He was also doing interviews to promote Blood Of The Nationsand talking so many bad things about me with so many lies. I don’t know why he did that. However that is history now. I will be 61 in a couple of days on 6th of April when I am in New York.”
Q: How do you maintain your energy particularly on stage?
Udo: “Many people ask me that, I try to live healthily as possible. I do nothing special exercise-wise or whatever. I walk a lot, and in the summer time I do a lot of swimming and running. The shows are fun for me to do and I like to be on tour and that also keeps you fresh.”
Q: You have been in the music business a long time, do you still have dreams and goals?
Udo: “Of course you always have to have those, one day maybe I would like to do an album with an orchestra perhaps…”
U.D.O.’s new album Steelhammer – produced by Udo Dirkschneider and Fitty Wienhold – will be released on May 21st in North America and May 24th in Europe via AFM Records.
The band are now streaming the album track, ‘Basta Ya’, which is not only U.D.O.’s first song in Spanish ever, but also one with a very important message: the youth is the future, they need perspectives! Victor Garcia from WARCRY guests on this track.
U.D.O. previously released a video for the Steelhammer album track, ‘Metal Machine’:
“Our new album is a real battering ram,” Udo says. “That’s why we have chosen this cover. It really shows best that U.D.O. is pure heavy metal! U.D.O. is back!”
The editions and tracklistings of the album are as follows:
Standard CD:
‘Steelhammer’
‘A Cry Of A Nation’
‘Metal Machine’
‘Basta Ya’
‘Heavy Rain’
‘Devil’s Bite’
‘Death Ride’
‘King Of Mean’
‘Time Keeper’
‘Never Cross My Way’
‘Take My Medicine’
‘Stay True’
‘When Love Becomes A Lie’
‘Book Of Faith’
Digi-Pack:
‘Steelhammer’
‘A Cry Of A Nation’
‘Metal Machine’
‘Basta Ya’
‘Heavy Rain’
‘Devil’s Bite’
‘Death Ride’
‘King Of Mean’
‘Time Keeper’
‘Never Cross My Way’
‘Take My Medicine’
‘Shadows Come Alive’ (bonus track)
‘Stay True Stay You’
‘When Love Becomes A Lie’
‘Book Of Faith’
Japanese Version:
‘Steelhammer’
‘A Cry Of A Nation’
‘Metal Machine’
‘Basta Ya’
‘Heavy Rain’
‘Devil’s Bite’
‘Death Ride’
‘King Of Mean’
‘Time Keeper’
‘Never Cross My Way’
‘Take My Medicine’
‘Stay True Stay You’
‘When Love Becomes A Lie’
‘Book Of Faith’
‘Dust And Rust’ (bonus track)
U.D.O. are currently on rare North American tour, and have uploaded a trailer promoting the dates. Check it out below:
Remaining dates are as follows:
April
12 – Montreal, QC – Foufounes Electriques
13 – St-Ferdinand, QC – Style Metal
14 – Toronto, ON – Mod Club
17 – Verona, WI – Heights Events Center
18 – Cleveland, OH – Peabody’s
19 – Westland, MI – Token Lounge
20 – Joliet, IL – Mojoe’s
21 -Seattle, WA – Studio Seven
23 – West Hollywood, CA – Whisky-A.-Go-Go
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 