German heavy metal legends ACCEPT are marking half a century of existence with a stunning re-recording of their 1982 speed metal classic ‚Fast as a Shark‘, featuring Phil Anselmo, Kirk Hammett, Billy Sheehan and Mikkey Dee. The track serves as the first single from the upcoming anniversary album ‚Teutonic Titans 1976-2026‘, set for release on September 4, 2026 via Napalm Records.German heavy metal legends ACCEPT are pulling out all the stops to celebrate 50 years of pure power. The band has unveiled a stunning re-recording of ‚Fast as a Shark‘, originally released in 1982 on ‚Restless and Wild‘ and widely regarded as one of the first speed metal songs in rock history. The new version features a veritable supergroup of genre icons: Phil Anselmo on vocals, Kirk Hammett on guitar, Billy Sheehan on bass and Mikkey Dee on drums, joining ACCEPT mainstays Wolf Hoffmann and Mark Tornillo for a definitive reimagining of the classic track. In a nod to the song’s Bavarian roots, the iconic folk intro has been re-recorded with a traditional Bavarian brass ensemble performing the old German drinking song ‚Ein Heller und ein Batzen‘.
The track is the opening salvo from ACCEPT’s monumental anniversary record ‚Teutonic Titans 1976-2026‘, due September 4, 2026 via Napalm Records. The album spans 19 re-recorded classics drawn from the band’s early catalogue, from ‚I’m a Rebel‘ (1980) through to ‚Eat the Heat‘ (1989), each featuring a different combination of 50 guest musicians from across the metal world. Highlights include Rob Halford and Matthias Jabs on ‚Balls to the Wall‘, Tobias Forge on ‚Save Us‘, and Billy Corgan alongside David Ellefson on ‚Love Child‘. Further guests include K.K. Downing, Bobby Blitz, Hansi Kürsch, Chris Jericho and Jeff Loomis, among others. The album was produced, mixed and mastered by Zeuss. ACCEPT will support the release with an extensive European tour throughout late 2026.
Photo: Robert John