Few bands embody the term heavy metal as completely as Accept. While Wolf Hoffmann and Udo Dirkschneider teamed up in the late 60s, Accept’s self-titled album wasn’t recorded until 1979. The German heavy hitters went on to play a prominent role on the growing heavy metal scene in the early 80s and their landmark album ‘Balls to the Wall’ is still a genre classic. They were also a major source of inspiration for speed, thrash and power metal bands across the globe. Accept seemed destined for a long and successful career but after Udo’s second departure in 1997, everyone started focusing on their own projects. In 2009 Accept reformed under the impetus of Wolf Hoffmann. When Udo respectfully declined the offer to rejoin, T.T.Quick frontman Mark Tornillo was recruited as a replacement and Accept reclaimed their former glory. The new offerings ‘Blood of the Nations’ (2010), ‘Stalingrad’ (2012) and ‘Blind Rage’ (2014) thrilled both new and long-time fans. Ever since their 2004 best-of album, their output has been characterised by constant quality, with 2024’s ‘Humanoid’ as the latest exponent. (#GMM26)