Accept

A leading German Heavy Metal, Accept was formed in 1968 as Band X by Udo Dirkschneider (chant) and Michael Wagener (guitar), before changing its name in 1971. The band found its drummer in the person of Franck Friedrich but did not really become active until the late 1970s, when Wolf Hoffmann (guitar) and Peter Baltes (bass) became members (and will remain the only permanent members), while Jörg Fischer became second guitarist, Wagener becoming producer. It is under this line-up that is recorded the first eponymous album (sometimes called Lady Lou), which appeared in early 1979. Shortly after, Friedrich left the band, replaced by Stefan Kaufmann. This resulted in a second eponymous album, later renamed I'm A Rebel (according to a song originally composed for AC/DC ) to avoid confusion. Breaker, in 1981, allowed Accept to tour outside Germany, especially in England where they were the first part of Judas Priest. During the 1980s, a number of controversies will arise, including the alleged Nazi sympathies, which will prove to be unfounded. Jörg Fischer left the band in 1982. The guitarist Herman Frank was recruited a few months later but did not participate in Restless And Wild, which brought true recognition. The success was confirmed by the release of Balls To The Wall at the end of 1983. Fischer returned to the 1984 tour and the line-up remained stable for the next two albums. Metal Heart (1985) marks an evolution in Accept's music, including a more melodic approach and the incorporation of synths and elements of classical music, and will itself become a classic. The tour then passes through Japan, where will be recorded live Kaizoku-Ban. The band returned to a more aggressive sound on Russian Roulette in 1986. During the tour, Peter Baltes, Wolf Hoffmann and Gaby Hauke (manager and parol of Accept and wife of Hoffmann) decided to move to the United States. The musicians then compose more directed Hard FM titles, which are not suitable for Udo Dirkschneider. The singer decided to establish his own group of Heavy Metal, U.D.O. (whose first album, Animal House , is however composed by Accept ). It was not until 1988 that his successor, David Reece (ex-Dare Force), was recruited. Jörg Fischer, on the other hand, finally left the adventure shortly before the recording of Eat The Heat, which was released in 1989. For the tour, Jim Stacey (ex- Breakpoint) took up the position of vacant guitarist. However, neither the album nor the tour received the expected success. In addition, drummer Stefan Kaufmann's back problems forced him to be hospitalized, and especially internal conflicts between Reece and the other members, leading to a first separation at the end of 89. Following the success of the double live album Staying A Life (recorded in 1985 and released in 1990), the band reformed in 1992 with Udo Dirkschneider singing and without second guitarist. Objection Overruled (1993) is composed in the Heavy style that made the fame of Accept and is well received. During the recording of the next album, Stefan Kaufman again suffered back problems. He was then replaced by Stefan Schwarzmann (ex- Running Wild, ex-U.D.O.). Death Row, and especially Predator two years later, mark stylistic changes not always well received by fans. In addition, there are new tensions between Dirkschneider and Hoffmann and Baltes. Accept splits for the second time in 1996, the reformist singer U.D.O. and Hoffmann now devoted themselves essentially to a career as a professional photographer. The band met again in 2005 for a series of festivals, taking Herman Frank as second guitarist. Udo Dirkschneider, however, rejects the idea of participating in a new album, and it is not until 2009 that Baltes and Hoffmann meet singer Mark Tornillo (ex- TT Quick ) during a simple jam. It is finally the rebirth of Accept. Blood Of The Nations was released in 2010 and was well received, as was Stalingrad two years later. Blind Rage, in 2014, is followed by the departure of Frank and Schwarzmann who prefer to devote themselves to their group Pänzer. They were replaced respectively by Uwe Lulis (ex- Grave Digger , ex-Rebellion ) on guitar and Christopher Williams on drums. The 15th studio album, The Rise Of Chaos , was released in August 2017.
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