Accept – Blood of the Nations
Release Date: September 14, 2010
Highlights: Beat The Bastards, The Abyss, Blood of the Nations,
2010 seems to be the Year of the Classics. Iron Maiden released their latest album “The Final Frontier” which is not only an amazing album but their best release in probably 10-12 years. Germany’s Accept is following in Iron Maiden’s footsteps as they release the facemelting “Blood of the Nations.” This album is a big fucking “YES” to the age old question “Is there life in Accept after Udo Dirkschneider.” Not only is there life but it’s a mighty fantastic one at that.
Former TT Quick singer Mark Tornillo has been recruited to take on the lead vocalist role in Accept and the end result as proven on “Blood of the Nations” is nothing less than outstanding. Much like Iron Maiden, Accept has managed to do what few classic Metal bands can do. Accept is a band that has a lot of life left in them. Instead of packing it in or even choosing to go the nostalgic route, they have proven that they are just tapping into what they are capable of doing as a Heavy Metal powerhouse in 2010. Original Accept members Wolf Hoffman(guitar), Peter Baltes (bass) and Stefan Schwarzmann (drums) along with Tornillo and guitarist Herman Frank set out to break new ground in 2010. They managed to do just that without compromising their classic sound. It’s a very natural sound for them and it sounds like it came very easy to them. These guys didn’t have to try too hard to melt faces. They just flat out did it.
The songs on “Blood of the Nations” are without a doubt classic Metal and while they have that classic Accept sound, they managed to re-invent as opposed to re-hash an old sound. A band like Accept can run the risk of sounding dated but Mark Tornillo has given them a new energy that makes them sound 1/2 their age. Songs like “Burn The Bastards” and “Blood of the Nations” scream classic Accept but Tornillo proves himself as a true Metal powerhouse in his own right. I actually prefer his vocals over Udo’s and find him to have so much more character. The highlight of the album to me is “The Abyss” where Tonillo steps it up and shows just how versatile he can be as a vocalist. “Rollin’ Thunder” is a major facemelter that literally had me missing my studded bracelets and wanting to pump my fists in the air in allegiance. Mark Tornillo has such a commanding presence and voice that I cannot wait to see how these songs are delivered live.
“Blood of the Nations” is another example of the older cats showing the young kids how it’s really done. I will put this album up against any Heavy Metal album released in the past 10 years and this one will stand tall and strong on it’s own as a great classic Metal album. The production is absolutely stellar, the songs are top notch and the performance is nothing short of amazing. “Blood of the Nations” is evidence that Accept’s best days are still ahead of them.
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