ALBUM REVIEW: Accept - Humanoid

Accept

Where do you start with a legendary Heavy Metal band who are now into their sixth decade? There may only be Wolf Hoffmann left from those early days in 1976 when Udo Dirkschneider and Peter Baltes along with Hoffmann formed Accept out of the ashes of Band X, but the spirit of early albums such as I'm A Rebel, Breaker, Restless and Wild and Balls to the Wall has always been present in the band's latter output. 

Today's line-up sees Hoffmann once more joined by long-time vocalist Mark Tornillo, guitarist Uwe Lulis, drummer Christopher Williams and bassist Martin Motnik as they deliver another thumping release which sees the band tackle subjects including the rise of AI and the impact of social media on society. Banks of classic Heavy Metal riffs in true Accept style make it an easy and welcome listen, with Tornillo's rasping vocals spitting out the lyrics as the band thunder along. 

Accept

Let's be fair, there isn't going to be anything that will surprise you listening to Humanoid, but its an album that should delight long-term fans and hopefully continue to draw in those who want their Metal delivered in a style that is reassuringly traditional. For me Accept are the Heavy Metal version of AC/DC, without the innuendo but most certainly with some of the lyrical weaknesses that have often been present. But that is a minor quibble, for I don't expect Neil Peart level consciousness with Accept.

What I do expect, and what they have delivered once again is 11 tracks of thunder, beginning with the opener Diving Into Sin. It's the ideal opener, full of pace and Tornillo in inspired form, full of that gargled growling rasp that we've come to expect. It's German Metal at its best, with Hoffmann and Lulis trading solos and riffs for fun. If you don't want to bang your head along to this, I question your commitment to the cause. 

What I love about Accept is that they don't change. Solid, reliable, this is pounding stuff. The title track and Frankenstein bring absolutely nothing new to the party, yet their style is such that no party would be complete without them. They slow things down on the (hopefully) tongue in cheek Man Up, a macho anthem which won't win any friends amongst the more gentle petals out there, whilst Nobody Gets Out Alive rips along at breakneck speed. 

The inevitable semi-ballad Ravages of Time is delivered in the same style that Accept and countrymen Scorpions have always done. It's an anathema to us in the UK, yet in Europe this is likely to go down with full lighters aloft. It's on a par with the drinking song Straight Up Jack, which wins the worst lyrics on an album in 2024 so far award, but with it's AC/DC boogie vibe earns more excitement than maybe it should have done.  It's always ending with a banger though, and the semi-thrash power of Southside of Hell ensures that the latest album by one of the most reliable and consistent Metal Bands of all time works on every level and bring another solidly Accept album to a close. 
Accept Tour 2024



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