With just a sprinkling of shows so far in the U.K on the back of their excellent new release Blood Of The Nations it was an opportunity I just could not miss to see Accept in a small intimate club.

First up though we had Swedish metallers Wolf to brandish their style of no nonsense retro metal to our seasoned ears. Let's face it the Scandinavians have this Rock/Metal thing down to an art and Wolf are no exception. 'Evil Star' quickly followed by 'The Bite' is just delivered with high pitched precision by Niklas Stalvind complemented by a guitar assault that would carpet bomb any warring country. New tune 'Skull Crusher' from the soon to be released 'Legions Of Bastards' is greeted with raised fists and chorus participation, a sure fire winner. As Wolf themselves like to say they played 'Real Metal For True Bastards' and did it like the Father-less children they claim to be.

Accept storm onto the stage and judging by the mixture in the crowd seemed to have crossed generations and pulled in their fair share of female Metal Goddesses to their shows. 'Teutonic Terror' is a statement of intent from the off which is the first of five songs aired from their latest 'Blood Of The Nations' album. Mark Tornillo, while not of the same rotund stature as ex-Accept Vocalist Udo certainly a match if not surpasses him with his raspy gravel vocals. Seeming re-vitalized since reforming, they perform with more vigor, pumping the energy of a six pack Monster Drink into their live performance. The crowd responding with the same enthusiasm, even finding time to start a pit full of 40 something's head banging… minus the hair! It's when some of the classics are aired that the place gets white hot, "Metal Heart", "Aiming High" & "Up To The Limit" is sheer axe attack. Wolf Hoffman and Herman Frank trading solo's like teenagers on their first tour, while the rhythm section of Peter Baltes and Stefan Schwarzmann were tighter than a Nuns nether regions.

An encore of "Fast As A Shark" (truly a Thrash number before Thrash was invented) and "Balls To The wall" made sure Dad's & Son's alike were sent home reminiscing and recalling their very first Accept experience. Accept are back, relevant and playing some kick ass shows! Miss them, miss out.

1. Teutonic Terror
2. Bucket Full of Hate
3. Starlight
4. Breaker
5. New World Comin'
6. Restless and Wild
7. Son of a Bitch
8. Metal Heart
9. Neon Nights
10. Bulletproof
11. The Abyss
12. Aiming High
13. Princess of the Dawn
14. Up to the Limit
15. Burning
Encore:
16. Fast as a Shark
17. Pandemic
18. Balls to the Wall

www.acceptworldwide.com

Mark 'Tosh' Davies