After the release of Solid back in 1997 U.D.O. has kept a steady pace producing new music with an average frequency of two years. Recently, Udo turned down the offer for another ACCEPT reunion, since his band U.D.O. have built a strong momentum and a die-hard fan base. And as himself explained to METAL TEMPLE (read the interview here) he has release more albums with U.D.O. than with ACCEPT thus this reunion move would be a mistake. So, Dominator is here and after several listening session I realized how justifiable was his decision about the renunion.
The album kicks in with the track Bogeyman that I beliece will be the opening song for all the Dominator live dates. The short keyboard intro welcomes a solid guitar groove that shouts with all its might the name of ACCEPT. The main riff is so addictive that it will make you bang your head after the very first seconds. Udo sounds as harsh as always with a lower pitch while the chorus lines entice you to sing along and hum the melody in during the bridge. Stefan Kaufmann has added his trademark and powerful guitar playing while Igor Gianola does his part laying down some very good solos that fit the ACCEPT breathing music like a glove. One thing that I really like with U.D.O.'s music is that it sounds classic and modern at the same time. I mean you can find all the classic elements that make this sound easy to recognize but you can also find some modern re-touches. Take for example the homonymous song that also features the classic guitar rhythm-wall but the leads and solo (I simply love the hammer-ons and pull-offs here) have a modern backbone that just take out the ACCEPT tag and add the U.D.O. one. In fact, this is exactly what makes U.D.O.'s music so appealing. It has all the traditional Heavy Metal foundations wrapped into an up-to-date layer giving an almost personal sound.
Black And White -it is also the first video clip- is another classic one that gained additional kudos due to the overwhelming Objection Overruled atmosphere that signs through the killer groove. Of course, in Dominator you will find the classic almost-power ballad that here is entitled Stillness Of Time. I don't know exactly how but Udo harsh voice fits perfectly to this kind o ballads and add a certain dynamic that Doro has duplicated a couple of decades ago. Devil's Rendezvous belongs to another U.D.O. tradition and is in the vein of Trainride In Russia or Platchet Soldat; simple yet catchy songs with mood-lifting up melodies and some killer leads that set anchor in your mind after the very first CD spins. Speed Demon throws out the 'happiness' created by Devil's Rendezvous and presses the pedal to the maximum with the Fast As A Shark aggressive attitude and fast tempo. Whispers In The Dark is a surprise piano based ballad that gloriously states that the voice of Metal is still powerful and passionate. Of course, the distortion enters and turns the song into another hymn-like tune. I really loved the guitar effects used during the solo that made close my eyes and focus on the beautiful melody.
I do not know if there is anything I could add here. This is an impressive album created (mainly) by Udo and Stefan who have not lost their appetite for honest and straightforward music as heard in Dominator. Maybe the following saying amy sound sacrilegious but this is where I stand; I am definitely happy that the ACCEPT reunion will not include those two charismatic musicians since we the U.D.O. fans love to listen U.D.O. songs and some ACCEPT ones and not the other way around! Join me and sing He is the bogeyman, he lives inside your head... Below you can watch the Black And White video clip and feast your eyes with U.D.O. 'new' band members.
PS: I do not know how he does it, but he looks the same the last 15 years...
U.D.O. - Black And White