With the 40th anniversary of the iconic ACCEPT album „Balls To The Wall“, Udo Dirkschneider, founder and former frontman of ACCEPT, is reviving a musical masterpiece. This new recording was not the result of an impulse to revive the original, but rather a response to numerous discussions with renowned artists from the international rock and metal scene.
At shows and festivals, the question kept coming up: „Aren’t you planning something special for the 40th anniversary of „Balls To The Wall“?“ These conversations eventually led to the idea of re-recording the songs from the legendary album with a large number of guest musicians. The result is a tribute that represents a special honor for Dirkschneider and the participants alike. For the guests, participating in this project is not only a personal accolade, but also an impressive tribute to a groundbreaking chapter in music history.
The new version of „Balls To The Wall“ features an impressive star-studded cast, adding extra sparkle to the new edition:
01. Balls To The Wall [feat. Joakim Brodén of SABATON]
02. London Leatherboys [feat. Biff Byford of SAXON]
03. Fight It Back [feat. Mille Petrozza of KREATOR]
04. Head Over Heels [feat. Nils Molin of DYNAZTY/AMARANTHE]
05. Losing More Than You’ve Ever Had [feat. Michael Kiske of HELLOWEEN]
06. Love Child [feat. Ylva Eriksson of BROTHERS OF METAL]
07. Turn Me On [feat. Danko Jones]
08. Losers And Winners [feat. Dee Snider of TWISTED SISTER]
09. Guardian Of The Night [feat. Tim „Ripper“ Owens of KK’s PRIEST, formerly of JUDAS PRIEST]
10. Winter Dreams [feat. Doro Pesch]
The reinterpretation of „Balls To The Wall“ not only allows the original songs to shine in new splendor, but also underlines the timeless relevance and influence of this album on the entire metal scene. At the same time, it is clear that this is not a random attempt to reanimate an untouchable work. Rather, it is a celebration of the legacy of „Balls To The Wall“ – with the blessing and enthusiasm of many significant voices in the genre.
„The re-recording of „Balls To The Wall“ was a very special challenge for me. This album is a milestone in my career and it was important to me to give the original songs a new shine without losing their powerful essence. Working with great guests has given the songs a fresh, exciting dimension – they have all put their own stamp on the classics. It’s a powerful tribute to the fans and an invitation to the next generation to experience these songs with as much passion as I did when I recorded them. For me personally, it’s a journey that never ends – ‚Balls To The Wall‘ will always be a part of me,“ Udo emphasizes.
DIRKSCHNEIDER live:
„Balls To The Wall“ – 40th anniversary tour
w/ CROWNSHIFT, ALL FOR METAL
Presented by Contra Promotion & Metal Hammer
25.02.2025 HR Zagreb – Boogaloo * NEW
26.02.2025 AT Vienna – SiMM City
27.02.2025 DE Munich – Backstage RESTTICKETS
28.02.2025 DE Leipzig – Haus Auensee RESTTICKETS
01.03.2025 CZ Prague – SaSaZu
02.03.2025 HU Budapest – Barba Negra
04.03.2025 RO Bucharest – Quantic Club
06.03.2025 PL Krakow – Klub Studio
07.03.2025 PL Warsaw – Progresja
08.03.2025 LT Vilnius – Kablys
09.03.2025 EE Tallinn – Helitehas NEW
10.03.2025 FI Helsinki – Kulttuuritalo
11.03.2025 FI Tampere – Tavara-asema
13.03.2025 NO Oslo – Rockefeller
14.03.2025 SE Gothenburg – Trädgår’n
16.03.2025 DE Berlin – Huxleys Neue Welt
17.03.2025 DE Frankfurt – Batschkapp
18.03.2025 BE Antwerp – Trix
19.03.2025 FR Paris – Le Trabendo
21.03.2025 ES Pamplona – Sala Totem
22.03.2025 ES Madrid – Mon POSTPONED
23.03.2025 ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz 2
25.03.2025 CH Pratteln – Konzertfabrik Z7
26.03.2025 DE Stuttgart – LKA Longhorn SOLD OUT
27.03.2025 DE Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle
28.03.2025 DE Hamburg – Große Freiheit 36
29.03.2025 DE Geiselwind – Eventhalle RESTTICKETS
30.03.2025 DE Geiselwind – Eventhalle NEW
08.04.2025 GR Athens – Fuzz Live Music Club * NEW
09.04.2025 GR Thessaloniki – Principal Club Theater * NEW
11.04.2025 TR Istanbul – IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş * NEW
12.04.2025 BG Sofia – Hristo Botev Hall * NEW
- only DIRKSCHNEIDER
30.07. – 02.08.2025 DE Wacken – Wacken Open Air SOLD OUT NEW
„Hell, Fire And Steel“-Tour
w/ SAXON
04.11.2025 UK Belfast – Ulster Hall NEW
05.11.2025 IE Dublin – 3Olympia Theatre NEW
07.11.2025 UK Manchester – O2 Apollo NEW
08.11.2025 UK Sheffield – The Octagon Centre NEW
09.11.2025 UK Glasgow – O2 Academy NEW
11.11.2025 UK Newcastle – O2 City Hall NEW
13.11.2025 UK Bristol – Beacon NEW
14.11.2025 UK Wolverhampton – Civic Hall NEW
15.11.2025 UK London – Eventim Apollo Hammersmith NEW
16.11.2025 UK Cardiff – The Great Hall NEW
Info & Tickets: https://udo-online.de/tourdates.html
DIRKSCHNEIDER are:
Udo Dirkschneider | Vocals
Andrey Smirnov | Guitar
Fabian “Dee” Dammers | Guitar
Peter Baltes | Bass
Sven Dirkschneider | Drums