Words by Anselm Anderson
Legendary German metal band Accept returns with an unstoppable force, packed with punishing riffs and head-banging tracks. ' Humanoid' is their 17th studio album, set for release this Friday via Napalm Records.
Lead Singer Mark Tornillo and co cover the murky issues of technology and AI in this other blistering release from the legends. In almost fifty years, the band has entertained the masses from all over the world in various guises. I personally feel the band has grown as a unit in that time and has cemented themselves with some of the titans of metal. A significant factor is the addition of Tornillo's vocals. His voice, a torrent of raw emotion like a contemporary Bon Scott, has elevated Accept's music to unprecedented heights."Humanoid" is an album that exemplifies this statement.
Andy Sneap is back behind the producer's table at his Backstage Recording Studios LTD in Derbyshire, England. This helps increase the volume to 10 with a broad and heavy sound, exemplified by the duel guitars of Wolf Hoffman and Uwe Lulis.
That provides the background for the album. Now, onto the review. The album opens with the Middle-Eastern influences of 'Diving into Sin' and 'Man Up,' then ramps up the volume and intensity with the self-titled track 'Humanoid' and 'Frankenstein.' The band consistently produces high-quality metal tracks, maintaining their creativity and synergy. One reason I appreciate Accept is their consistent effort to explore new ideas while keeping their content vibrant and dynamic. On this album, they achieve this through a balance between ballsy metal and melodic tracks which strikes through the listeners' hearts. At times, this release may seem slow to engage, with several tracks sharing a similar tone, yet it eventually delivers a powerful impact.
The track 'The Reckoning' is a tribute to the fans, reminiscent of 1980's Teutonic metal acts. It embodies the quintessential Accept sound with robust riffs, pummeling drums, and anthemic choruses that compel you to stand up and cheer. 'Nobody Get Out Alive' continues this trend with the powerful vocals of Tornillo harmonizing with the dual guitars, giving the impression that it could be the next hit single. The guitar tones are sharp, reminiscent of the harmonious dual guitar acts like Judas Priest. The riffs are captivating and hypnotic, with each track seamlessly progressing.
In contrast, Accept counterbalances their sound with softer ballads like 'Ravages of Time' a reminder we all grow old eventually. The band transitions into classic realms with potential radio hits like 'Mind Games' and 'Unbreakable,' reminiscent of a time when metal focused more on high-energy rock 'n' roll instead of technical riffs and elaborate vocals.
Saving the best for last, as the age-old saying goes, 'Straight Up Jack' is the kind of rock track that Bon Scott would have been proud to pen for AC/DC—a genuine homage to the legendary Jack Daniels.
Accept continues to impress with their classic metal style, delivering hit after hit. Should you choose only one album to listen to this year, 'Humanoid' might just be the one.
Rating: 9/10
'Humanoid' is out on April 26th via Napalm Records an will be available via all major streaming platforms and retail outlets.
Tracklisting:
1 Diving Into Sin
2 Humanoid
3 Frankenstein
4 Man Up
5 The Reckoning
6 Nobody Gets Out Alive
7 Ravages Of Time
8 Unbreakable
9 Mind Games
10 Straight Up Jack
11 Southside Of Hell
ACCEPT are:
Wolf Hoffmann – guitar
Mark Tornillo – vocals
Uwe Lulis – guitar
Martin Motnik – bass
Christopher Williams – drums
ACCEPT online:
THE INTERACTIVE HUMANOID EXPERIENCE
VK
TIKTOK
NAPALM RECORDS
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