Some bands are formed through auditions and chance encounters. Others are born from decades of shared history, mutual respect, and the simple truth that great chemistry never dies.
Udo Dirkschneider doesn’t need an introduction. The voice that defined Accept’s golden era, the man who built U.D.O. into a heavy metal institution – he’s a living legend. But legends get restless. And when restless legends start making calls to old brothers-in-arms, magic happens.
Enter DATOG.
A Reunion That Started With a Whisper
Picture this: Summer 2020. The world’s on pause, but creativity isn’t. Udo picks up the phone. Peter Baltes (Accept, bass god and secret weapon vocalist) is in. Stefan Kaufmann (the man who shaped Accept’s guitar sound) is ready. Mathias „Don“ Dieth (SINNER, U.D.O.’s six-string wizard) jumps on board. Udo’s son Sven – who’s been crushing it behind the kit for his dad for a decade – completes the family affair.
But here’s the twist: Manuela Bibert. After her jaw-dropping performance on U.D.O.’s orchestral album We Are One in 2019, there was no way they were letting her go. And thank God for that.
Three singers. One vision. Zero compromise.
The Singles That Changed Everything
It started innocently enough. Three singles between summer 2020 and fall 2021: ‚Where The Angels Fly‘, ‚Face Of A Stranger‘, and ‚Every Heart Is Burning‘. Test runs, really. Or so they thought.
„The whole thing developed a momentum of its own that we hadn’t expected,“ Stefan Kaufmann admits, still sounding somewhat surprised. The songs went viral. Fans exploded. Record labels came knocking. Concert agencies wanted in. The question became unavoidable: Is there more?
The answer just dropped. „Babylon“ is here via Reigning Phoenix Music, and it’s everything you hoped for and things you didn’t see coming.
Three Voices, One Unstoppable Force
The three-singer concept could’ve been a gimmick. In lesser hands, it would’ve been. But DATOG isn’t playing games. Udo’s trademark roar, Manuela’s soaring power, Peter’s gritty edge – each voice gets its moment, carefully placed where it belongs.
„We didn’t try to split the vocals equally,“ Udo explains. „We analyzed whose voice would fit best for each part.“ It’s not about democracy. It’s about what serves the song. And brother, do these songs get served.
Twelve tracks. Not a filler in sight. The motto was simple: The best songs win. From crushing riffs to Mathias Dieth’s blistering solos (seriously, the man is possessed), Babylon is a masterclass in how to make a metal album in 2025 that honors the past without living in it.
‚Metal Sons‘: A Love Letter Written in Riffs
If there’s one track that captures what DATOG is about, it’s ‚Metal Sons‘. This isn’t just a song – it’s a statement of purpose wrapped in a power chord.
That opening riff sounds like it was unearthed from the golden age of heavy metal, dusted off, and plugged into a modern amp. Udo’s vocals are as uncompromising as ever – no polish, no apologies, just raw power. The guitar solos scream. The chorus demands you headbang and shout along. You won’t have a choice.
But here’s the genius: it’s arranged with modern sensibilities. It respects the old school while refusing to sound dated. It’s a bridge between eras, and it’s glorious.
More Than an Album
Babylon isn’t just twelve songs you’ll spin once and shelve. DATOG is rolling out video stories for every single track. Every. Single. One. They’re keeping you engaged, keeping you coming back, making sure this album becomes part of your life, not just your playlist.
The production is transparent yet powerful – every instrument breathes, every vocal cut through, nothing gets lost in the mix. It’s a sound fetishist’s dream.
The Journey Continues
This isn’t a one-off nostalgia trip. This is a band with momentum, with purpose, with songs that demand to be played live. DATOG has proven that when you put legends in a room and let them do what they do best, you don’t get a reunion – you get a revelation.
Babylon is out now. The metal sons (and daughters) are calling. Are you listening?
Order, stream or download „Babylon“ here: https://datog.rpm.link/babylon
DATOG are:
- Udo Dirkschneider – Vocals
- Manuela Bibert – Vocals
- Peter Baltes – Bass, Vocals
- Stefan Kaufmann – Guitar
- Mathias Dieth – Guitar
- Sven Dirkschneider – Drums