Accept was one of the top heavy metal bands of the 1980's. I became a fan when "Restless & Wild" came out. Their sheer speed and aggression along with Udo's Dirkschneider's high pitched shriek made me an instant fan. Songs like "Fast as a Shark" had a distinct effect on the evolution of thrash and speed metal.

Accept (Castle) 1979

1. "Lady Lou" (3:03)
2. "Tired of Meu" (3:14)
3. "Seawindsu" (4:29)
4. "Take Him in My Heartu" (3:29)
5. "Sounds of Waru" (4:35)
6. "Free Me Nowu" (3:00)
7. "Glad to Be Aloneu" (5:12)
8. "That's Rock & Roll" (2:53)
9. "Helldriveru" (2:40)
10. "Street Fighteru" (3:28)

Like Judas Priest's "Rocka Rolla" or the Scorpions "Lonesome Crow" to the rest of their catalogue, Accept's debut album is very different from the metallic direction they took with "Breaker", "Restless and Wild" and "Balls to the Wall." Actually much of this CD reminds me of those early Scorpions discs. "Sounds of War" is a hard rocking song that has a sound similar to early Scorpions. Udo hadn't quite perfected his hallowed howl yet either. Also, Peter Baltes was sharing lead vocal duties. I believe it's his voice on "Seawinds." However, Udo's voice is recognizable on most songs, and there is the occasional scream, like on the ending of "Take Him In My Heart" that give a clue as to the direction Udo would be heading. There is plenty of catchy r-n-r here to keep my interest. From the rockin' "Lady Lou" and "Helldriver" to the melancholy "Seawinds", to the sweeping "Take Him In My Heart" this CD is actually quite enjoyable.

Accept - I'm A Rebel/Breaker (CMC International) 1979/1980

I'm A Rebel DISC ONE 1."I'm a Rebel" (3:57) 2."Save Us" (4:33) 3."No Time to Lose" (4:35) 4."Thunder and Lightning" (4:01) 5."China Lady" (3:56) 6."I Wanna Be No Hero" (4:00) 7."The King" (4:10) 8."Do It" (4:11) Breaker DISC TWO 1."Starlight" (3:52) 2."Breaker" (3:35) 3."Run if You Can" (4:49) 4."Can't Stand the Night" (5:22) 5."Son of a Bitch" (3:55) 6."Burning" (5:15) 7."Feelings" (4:48) 8."Midnight Highway" (3:58) 9."Breaking up Again" (4:49) 10."Down and Out" (3:42)

Udo & Wolf Hoffmann

The first three Accept discs are a mixed affair. "Restless & Wild" was the first disc I got into, so the first three never quite matched up. Up until CMC released this cool double disc, these discs were relatively hard to find on CD. Actually the second disc "Breaker" is a decent heavy metal disc that stands up to "Restless & Wild" and "Balls to the Walls" (well almost) Songs like "Starlight," "Breakers" and "S.O.B" stand the test of time well. I'm A Rebel, however, sounds a bit more dated and nowhere near as good as the aforementioned discs. "Save Us" actually sounds like a disco tune with it's funky bass lines. GAK! Cool double disc, however. The insert is a single page with no photos, no lyrics and very little credit info. At least the cover art is the original art. Paid $13.98 for a used copy. Probably didn't cost that much new in 1994 when this double disc was released. Oh well, that'll teach me to wait to long. Now out of print!

Metallium has recorded a cover of "Burn". U.D.O. recorded "I'm A Rebel."

Accept - Metal Masters (Razor Records)

1. "Lady You" (3:01)
2. "Tired of Me" (3:13)
3. "Seawinds" (4:29)
4. "Sounds of War" (4:35)
5. "Free Me Now" (3:00)
6. "Glad to Be Alone" (5:12)
7. "That's Rock n Roll" (2:52)
8. "Helldriver" (2:40)
9. "I'm a Rebel" (3:58)
10. "Save Us" (4:33)
11. "No Time to Lose" (4:30)
12. "Thunder & Lightning" (4:01)
13. "China Lady" (3:54)
14. "The King" (4:10)
15. "Do It" (4:08)

I bought this German import assuming, by the cover of the lady with the chainsaw, that this was the first Accept disc. While it has some of the songs off that album, what it actually is is a "best of" their first three discs. Not a bad compilation really, choosing some of the best songs off those discs.

Accept - Restless & Wild (Portrait) 1982 1. "Fast As a Shark" (3:48) 2. "Restless & Wild" (4:12) 3. "Ahead of the Pack" (3:25) 4. "Shake Your Heads" (4:18) 5. "Neon Nights" (6:01) 6. "Get Ready" (3:41) 7. "Demon's Night" (4:28) 8. "Flash Rockin' Man" (4:28) 9. "Don't Go Stealin' My Soul Away" (3:13) 10."Princess of the Dawn" (6:17)

Restless & Wild red vinyl (Heavy Metal Worldwide/HMI LP 6)

"Hei-di-hei-doe-hida, Hei-di-hei-doe-hida, hei-di, hei-do, hei-da, ha-ha-ha..." So goes this opening to this genuine heavy metal classic before breaking into that high, piercing scream and one of the finest metal songs ever written, "Fast As A Shark". This song is also arguably one of the very first speed metal/thrash songs "Fast As a Shark." (A song covered by Forte, Rage, Heathens Rage and Steel Prophet, among others.) I purchased this album as a new release in 1982 as a sophomore in high school. At the time we were just all blown away by the speed, the aggression and the sheer metal attitude. Udo Dirkschneider was the ultimate metal screamer. His piercing siren howls laid on top of the aggressive German heavy metal was untopped by any in '82. The title track followed up with a killer groove and a sing-along chorus. Mega-anthems like "Shake Your Head", "Demon's Night" and "Neon Nights" were soundtracks to our youth. We were a pack of denim and leather clad high school metalheads. The dark, somber "Princess of the Dawn" finished things off perfectly. This song was a concert favorite that they played live right up to the time Accept folded some ten years later. As I already stated, "Restless and Wild" is a genuine heavy metal classic. There is just not a bad song on this disc and no serious metal fan should be without this disc. I own this one on CD and red vinyl (pictured above).

Accept - Balls to the Wall (Portrait) 1983 1. "Balls To The Wall" (5:42) 2. "London Leatherboys" (3:51) 3. "Fight It Back" (3:38) 4. "Head Over Heels" (4:25) 5. "Losing More Than You've Ever Had" (5:10) 6. "Love Child" (3:34) 7. "Turn Me On" (5:12) 8. "Losers And Winners" (4:19) 9. "Guardian Of The Night" (4:24) 10. "Winterdreams" (4:52)

Wolf Hoffmann

This was the album that broke Accept lose in America. The title track became their calling card. To this day when you mention Accept you'll get the reply, "Didn't they record "Balls to the Wall?" Not much to say on this album except that it is one of the all time classics of heavy metal. Udo strut his stuff all over this one. My wife still cringes every time she hears those balls being squeezed in the title track. Worth the $9.99 I paid to replace my crappy vinyl.

Hammerfall does a killer version of 'Head Over Heels' with Udo sharing lead vocals. Sinner recorded a cover of "Balls to the Wall" which was released on an Accept tribute disc as well as their "The Second Decade" disc. Fozzy also recorded a cover of "Balls to the Wall."

Accept - Metal Heart (Epic) 1985

When this one came out in 1985 I thought that Accept had sold out. "Metal Heart" was so much more commercial than their past two albums and the production was much cleaner as well. I didn't buy it for the longest time but had a collage roommate that loved it. Over time I grew to appreciate it. Listening to it now, although it is not as aggressive as "Balls to the Wall" or "Restless & Wild" it's still a very good heavy metal platter. There is no denying the infectious melody of tracks like "Midnight Mover" and "To High to Get It Right," which would both be concert highlights for years to come for both Accept and U.D.O. However, as with their last two discs, the entire album is quite good; from the guitar solo in the middle of the title track, to the pop metal sounds of "Screaming for a Love Bite" to the hard as nails album closer "Bound to Fall." Over time "Metal Heart" has become one of my favorite Accept albums. I picked this disc up new relatively cheap ($7.99).

Accept - Kaizoku-Ban (Portrait) 1985

SIDE ONE
1. "Metal Heart"
2. "Screaming For A Love-Bite"
3. "Up To The Limit"
SIDE TWO
4. "Head Over Heels"
5. "Love Child"
6 . "Living For Tonight"

"Living For Tonight" The original vinyl release of the "Kaizoku-Ban" EP was released in 1985 with this cover. It was latter re-issued on CD and re-titled "Live in Japan" (see below). All six tracks are available as bonus tracks on the 2002 BMG remasters of "Balls to the Wall" (tracks 3 & 4), "Metal Heart" (tracks 5 & 6) and "Russian Roulette" (tracks 1 & 2).

Accept - Live in Japan (BMG/Ariola) 1985/1992

1. "Metal Heart" (5:23)
2. "Screaming for A Love Bite" (4:24)
3. "Up To The Limit" (4:58)
4. "Head Over Heels" (5:54)
5. "Love Child" (4:46)
6. "Living For Tonight" (3:50)

Originally released in 1985 under the title "Kaizuko-Ban" with a different cover art, this EP was finally re-released in Europe on BMG as "Live in Japan". Not much to write about this one. The performance is excellent, Sir Udo is in rare form and the whole package is a great listen. Only complain? Too short! At this point in Accept's history, they were on a career high. A full length live album could not have been out of the question. (thanks Kurt)

Accept - Russian Roulette (Epic) 1986

1.   "T.V. War" (3:26)
2.   "Monsterman" (3:24)
3.   "Russian Roulette" (5:23)
4.   "It's Hard to Find a Way" (4:19)
5.   "Aiming High" (4:25)
6.   "Heaven Is Hell" (7:11)
7.   "Another Second to Be" (3:16)
8.   "Walking in the Shadow" (4:27)
9.   "Man Enough to Cry" (3:13)
10. "Stand Tight" (4:10)

Not a bad Accept album, but no where near as memorable as any of the last four albums. The songwriting just wasn't as memorable, and the energy that was present on albums like "Balls to the Wall", "Restless and Wild" and even "Metal Heart" isn't there. Udo left soon after "Russian Roulette". I still am unclear if it was due to the creative differences with guitarist Wolf Hoffman, or if it was pressure from the record company. Regardless, Udo formed U.D.O. and returned to the heavy metal approach of Accept's uncompromising breakthrough "Balls to the Wall." Wolf went on to explore more commercial avenues with the Accept name. This disagreement over style may have been why "Russian Roulette" was such an unfocused album. Bought my copy through Dream Disc for a mere $6.

Accept - Eat the Heat (Epic) 1989 1.   X-T-C (4:26) 2.   Prisoner (4:15) 3.   Love Sensation (4:42) 4.   Chain Reaction (4:37) 5.   D-Train (4:04) 6.   Generation Clash (4:25) 7.   Turn the Wheel (6:23) 8.   Mistreated (4:58) 9.   Stand 4 What U R (5:29) 10.   Hellhammer (6:54) 11.   Break the Ice ()

Accept 1989

My initial review for this CD simply stated, "this CD sucks!" This was based on the fact that Udo had been replaced and that the sound was more "pop" than past Accept discs. The fact is, however, that this CD is actually pretty good. Had it been released under a different name, rather than Accept it might have sold better. They should have changed their name rather than try to convince fans that this was the same mighty metal machine of the past. I have argued with fans who claim that Reece was a better vocalist. New vocalist David Reece really does have a decent set of pipes and songs like "X-T-C" are actually pretty darn good. Whether or not he is a better vocalist than Udo is purely subjective and a matter of opinion. In my opinion, Udo has 100% more charisma, attitude, and aggression. He defined their sound. In other words, Udo IS Accept! No one can replace him and the whole idea was just a joke! The album is a good metal album in itself, but not really an Accept album. Accept without Udo is like Zeppelin without Plant, Aerosmith without Tyler or the Stones without Jagger. It's just not the same band. This is probably why U.D.O.'s "Animal House" sounds more like Accept than Accept did at the time. Of course, "Animal House" was written by the members of Accept and probably should have been their next album. Thankfully, "Eat the Heat" was the one and only CD for David Reece, who went on to form Bangolore Choir after the demise of this Accept line-up.

Besides the obvious change in vocalists, the other problem here was that this was an obvious attempt at commercialization. For the most part, "Eat the Heat" sounds like generic American pop metal and sounds nothing like the German power metal that Accept are pioneers of. However, "Generation Clash" and "X-T-C" are actually pretty decent songs. U.D.O covered "X-T-C" on an Accept tribute CD. Their cover of this song rules and forced me to go back and check out the original version again. It was this re-evaluation that made me realize my initial review was a bit to harsh. However, I still stand by this statement, "No Udo Dirkschneider, No ACCEPT!"

"As for Reece, the fans hated him and never accepted him. I can see why they didn't. He didn't really have much in common with what the band had been. It was a deliberate change but, in hindsight, not a good one really. Despite that, though, I thought we made a great record."
-Wolf Hoffamn, Metal-Sludge, 20 Questions Interview

Accept - Staying A Life (Epic) 1990

1.   "Metal Heart" (5:26)
2.   "Breaker" (3:41)
3.   "Screaming for a Love Bite" (4:32)
4.   "Up To The Limit" (4:46)
5.   "Living for Tonight" (3:35)
6.   "Princess of the Dawn" (7:48)
7.   "Guitar Solo-Wolf Holfmann" (4:31)
8.   "Restless & Wild" (2:32)
9.   "Son of A Bitch" (2:34)
10. "London Leatherboys" (3:55)
11. "Love Child" (5:00)
12. "Flash Rockin' Man" (6:32)
13. "Dog On Leads" (5:53)
14. "Fast As a Shark" (5:26)
15. "Balls to the Wall" (10:28)

This album was suppose to be the end of Accept as they had supposedly called it a day. It didn't happen, but this live offering shows Accept in their prime on the "Metal Heart" tour. Every song is well executed and the production is excellent. Good way to introduce someone to the bands large catalogue.

Accept - Breakers On Stage (BMG Greece)

1. "Metal Heart" [live] (5:26)
2. "Breaker" [live] (3:40)
3. "Living for Tonight" [live] (3:53)
4. "Princess of the Dawn" [live] (7:49)

A short little import EP that is a nice little collector's disc but not much else as the songs are all exactly the same as on "Staying A Life." Got it in a trade for a tape I bought for a buck.

Accept - Objection Overruled (CMC International) 1992

1.   "Objection Overruled" (3:38)
2.   "I Don't Wanna Be Like You" (4:19)
3.   "Protectors of Terror" (4:03)
4.   "Slaves to Metal" (4:37)
5.   "All or Nothing" (4:32)
6.   "Bulletproof" (5:05)
7.   "Amamos la Vida" (4:39)
8.   "Sick, Dirty and Mean" (4:33)
9.   "Donation" (4:48)
10. "Just by My Own" (3:29)
11.  "This One's for You" (4:10)

Accept in the 90's have not really changed much. Accept know what they do best and that is play METAL! Some decent songs on this reunion disc with UDO back at the helm. Favorites songs are "Slaves to Metal" and "Objection Overruled."

Accept - Death Row (Pavement) 1994

1. "Death Row" (5:17)
2. "Sodom & Gomorra" (6:28)
3. "The Beast Inside" (5:57)
4. "Dead On!" 4:52
5. "Guns 'R' Us" (4:40)
6. "Like A Loaded Gun" (4:18)
7. "What Else" (4:38)
8. "Stone Evil" (5:52)
9. "Bad Habits Die Had" (4:41)
10. "Prejudice" (4:14)
11. "Bad Habits Die Hard" (4:41)
12. "Generation Clash II"(5:04)
13. "Writing on the Wall" (4:25)
14. "Drifting Away" [instrumental] (3:02)
15. "Pomp & Circumstance" [instrumental] (3:44)

Accept as a single guitar band still rock heavy! As long as UDO is behind the mic, Accept will always sound like Accept, but without the dual guitars, the music suffers only slightly. Of the post reunion CDs "Death Row" is my favorite and also has the most memorable songs. The title track and "Sodom & Gomorra" are two very good Accept tunes. The last two tracks are more of Stefan Kauffman solo tracks than Accept tracks; sounding a bit like Joe Satriani or Steve Via.

Accept - Predator (RCA) 1996

1.   "Hard Attack" (4:46)
2.   "Crossroads" (5:13)
3.   "Making Me Scream" (4:14)
4.   "Diggin' in the Dirt" (4:01)
5.   "Lay It Down" (5:02)
6.   "It Ain't over Yet" (4:17)
7.   "Predator" (3:37)
8.   "Crucified" (3:01)
9.   "Take out the Time" (3:12)
10. "Don't Give a Damn" (2:58)
11. "Run Through the Night" (3:19)
12. "Primitive" (4:38)

Another fine true metal album with 'ol Udo and Co.! Unfortunately, it would be their last. Loads of cool riffs that the Scorpions should check into, as Accept have stayed much more interesting over the years than their fellow German metallers. Lead vocals on three tracks were recorded by bassist Peter Baltes.

Accept - All Areas-Worldwide (CMC International) 1998 Accept - The Final Chapter (GUN) 1998

DISC ONE 1.   "Starlight" (5:23) 2.   "London Leatherboys" (4:43) 3.   "I Don't Wanna Be Like You" (4:29) 4.   "Breaker" (4:49) 5.   "Slaves to Metal" (5:15) 6.   "Princess of the Dawn" (10:46) 7.   "Restless and Wild" (2:47) 8.   "Son of a Bitch" (3:27) 9.   "This One's for You" (4:09) 10. "Bulletproof" (6:18) 11.  "Too High to Get It Right" (5:44) DISC TWO 12.   "Metal Heart" (6:20) 13.   "Fast as a Shark" (3:51) 14.   "Balls to the Wall" (11:11) 15.   "What Else" (5:28) 16.   "Sodom & Gomorra" (6:40) 17.   "Beast Inside" (6:26) 18.   "Bad Habits Die Hard" (4:53) 19.   "Stone Evil" (4:33) 20.   "Death Row" (6:03)

"The Final Chapter" was recorded during the band's final tour. It was designed as Accept's farewell album, which is a respectable way to depart. All songs are well executed and have that live energy that makes live discs so important. A great way to go out and an excellent testament to one of the heaviest German bands of the 1980s. Nice to hear some of those later day Accept tunes live as well. "Slaves to Metal", "I Don't Wanna Be Like You" and "Death Row" all fitting in nicely with their classic catalogue. Accept pulled out a couple early classics for this CD as well. Starting off with "Starlight" was a cool. For years I was in search for a copy of "All Areas-Worldwide", which was only released in Europe. I had assumed that it was a different recording than "Final Chapter". Unfortunately it's the exact same recording with slightly nicer insert.

Related collections:
U.D.O. | Bangalore Choir | Sircle of Silence

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