by Tom Faddis
The German heavy metal band Accept released their fourth CD with producer Andy Sneap titled, The Rise of Chaos. The ten tracks are pure hard rock, no ballads, and no lessening of the heavy metal experience. The current members are: Wolf Hoffmann – guitars, backing vocals (1976–1989, 1992–1997, 2005, 2009–present), Peter Baltes – bass, backing vocals (1976–1989, 1992–1997, 2005, 2009–present), Mark Tornillo – lead vocals (2009–present), Uwe Lulis – guitars (2015–present) and Christopher Williams – drums (2015–present). Guitarist Wolf Hoffmann comments on the album title, “The Rise Of Chaos is something I have been thinking about often. It describes a condition which is slowly spreading around the world.”
The opening track, “Die by the Sword,” is a balls-to-the-wall track with full intensity guitars, gritty focused vocals and a driving beat. A male choir adds backing harmony to Tornillo’s spot on vocals. Lulis’ guitar lines are razor sharp and leave your ears bleeding with pleasure. This is a strong opening track and the momentum it sets does not wain throughout, a furious listen.
“Hole in the Head” contains all of Tornillo’s trademark concerted vocal abilities: intense high notes, a growling mid-range and an intensity that demands one to listen. The lyrics are expansive and appropriate to present times. The two-guitar riff is heavy and settles into an attitudinal feel that carries through the song. Again, Lulis’ guitar work is perfect, full of energy, wah-wah swells and harmonic screams with just the right balance of fast fret work.
The energy continues with “What’s Done is Done.” Williams’ drums are the driving force on this track, driving the track with the relentless force of a speeding locomotive. There are no frills, just solid songwriting full of dark guitar riffs, a chorus that finds the right hook and an attitudinal vocal delivery, which is definitely needed in Heavy Metal. “Carry the Weight” is another example of the before mentioned qualities.
All ten tracks are just what you want in a great metal band, the production is superb and comradery of the old and new members is perfect. Old school metal fans that spend a lot of time listening to their collection of AC/DC, early Maiden, Dio, Black Sabbath, and Judas Priest will love the current Accept. The band is classic metal, that has a solid heaviness and knows how to precisely, relentlessly and ardently rock.
Tracks to sample first: “The Rise of Chaos,” “Koolaid,” “Die by the Sword” and “Hole in the Head.” The song to take a chance on is “What’s Done is Done.”
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