Sometimes words are just totally insufficient to describe the importance of an artist. There are few like Udo Dirkschneider, truly a Metal icon, and the head of his great band U.D.O. since 1987. In fact, by playing together in the same line-up for years, this band is better than ever today. And now with absolutely no sign of wear at all, U.D.O. strike back with an example of just how Heavy Metal should sound in 2007, "Mastercutor”. Yes, of course, it's traditional, you'd expect little else, but it's also a very fresh and powerful record, which follows the tradition of U.D.O. / Accept, but with a few surprises to match! A song like "Vendetta” could easily have been on Accept’s "Metal Heart” and will enthuse fans both old and new. The first single "The Wrong Side Of Midnight” combines thunderous Heavy Metal with fine oriental vocal parts; yet it doesn't end there! "Master Of Disaster” and "Dead Man's Eyes” both possess the energy of Thrash Metal without lacking melody. Whilst "One Lone Voice” is a total opposite, a very catchy theme and a beautiful chorus line balanced delicately between power and expression. Then there's the title track - all a Heavy Metal song needs, soon to be hailed a classic!We're back to 1981: the third Accept album "Breaker” marks the international break-through for a young band centred around a singer from Wuppertal, Germany Udo Dirkschneider, whose success is hard fought and yet deserved and which rightfully continues with the classics, "Restless And Wild“(1982), "Balls To The Wall“(which secures them a Gold Record in the USA in 1983) and "Metal Heart“(1985). With triumphant world tours and a rapidly growing fan base, Accept become the epitome of German Metal. Only to disintegrate after "Russian Roulette” (1986) when things move into a different direction: Udo leaves to form his new band U.D.O. and to continue on the path of traditional Metal while Accept change into a more commercial project with a new singer. U.D.O. goes on to release strong albums such as "Animal House“ (1987), "Mean Machine", "Faceless World" and "Timebomb", enjoying a steadily rising acceptance from fans and critics alike. Accept would re-unite of course, but four years later, Dirkschneider returns with U.D.O., starting his comeback with "Solid“ in 1997, followed by "No Limits“, „Holy“, the eagerly awaited live album „Live In Russia“ (2001) and "Man And Machine". Soon after signing to AFM Records, the home of many that had so enjoyed his early success (Doro, etc) U.D.O. then releases „Nailed To Metal“ (available as live CD and DVD), "Thunderball" and arguably his finest album in that ten years, "Mission No. X". The gauntlet is thrown down once again. Dirkschneider intends to stay true to Heavy Metal and no one is going to stop him!
Versatility is important to any band but U.D.O. never lose sight of the final goal ruthlessly pursuing excellence here with a fervour that does them credit. "Mastercutor” was produced by Stefan Kaufmann who also mastered - and it opens a new chapter in the history of the man and the band. The man with the unmistakable voice can not only rely on his worldwide fan base of true metalheads to carry the day once again, but, just like his fans can be sure to get a great album that combines the use of today's technological advances without abandoning his own indomitable style, he can be sure that they will be there to back him to the hilt once again. After 5 million sales around the world, the cry’s sure to go up again!
“The grandmaster of Heavy Metal is back!”
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