Interview by Kris Peters
German metal outfit Accept have rightfully carved their horns into metal history.
Arguably the most influential and definitive heavy band to ever emerge from the German music scene, Accept left in their wake a score of classic albums such as Breaker, Restless & Wild, Balls To The Wall and Metal Heart that have defined heavy music for decades.
Frontman UDO Dirkschneider was a large part of the bands drawing power with his tenure with Accept the most successful and recognised chapters in the bands history.
Despite since forging a massively successful solo career, Dirkschneider has yet to perform a full set of the songs that made him a global name in Australia - a blemish that is about to be rectified with two select shows in Sydney on April 6 and Melbourne on April 8 where he will play nothing but tracks made popular by Accept.
Not only that, his current backing band also includes original Accept bass player Peter Baltes, adding further authenticity and excitement to the shows.
On the eve of the first show Dirkschneider joined HEAVY to discuss the upcoming history making performances.
"We tried it many times and it was sometimes very close to coming off, but it never happened," he shrugged, "so now I'm really looking forward after over 40 years for me personally coming down to Australia and performing there. Hopefully a lot of people show up and maybe we can open up a new market and do some more shows in Australia."
Other than a full night of Accept music, we press UDO on what fans can expect from the shows.
"We try to make a good mix up with all the classic accept songs," he smiled. "We play songs from I'm A Rebel, Restless & Wild, Balls To The Wall, Metal Heart, Russian Roulette so it will be a hit parade (laughs). A lot of people ask me why I'm not coming under UDO but maybe the next time. Promotors have been asking for me to come and play only Accept songs because people want to hear the original voice and for me it's not a problem to do. I did a three year tour with Dirkschneider through Europe and that was only playing Accept songs. It's a good thing. I can make UDO and I can make Dirkschneider with Accept songs. In the end it's always what the people want."
In the full interview, UDO tells why it has taken so long for him to perform Accept music to Australian audiences, having Baltes in the band and how that helps with the Accept set, the early days of Accept and riding the wave of heavy metal, leaving the band and what changed to make him return, burying the hatchet, at what point he knew Accept were going to be a force in metal, what he considers Accept has contributed to music and more.