U.D.O., the band formed by the legendary Udo Dirkschneider, released a new live album on March 19th via AFM records. Live in Bulgaria 2020: The Pandemic Survival Show comes as part of a two CD/DVD version. The show was filmed on September 18th, 2020 in Plovdiv at the Roman Amphitheatre in front of 2500 (socially distanced) baying fans.
Udo and co passed a rigid Covid hygiene regimen to record their only show of a tumultuous year for so many. The Accepticon is renowned for performing up to 200 shows worldwide, but could not pass this opportunity. The show features rarely performed tracks, alongside some of those famous hits with his old band.
The show opens with the deafening screams to “Tongue Reaper”, Udo bellows over dual guitars to get the crowd going. A welcome start for the raucous mob. Next up is the resilient “Make the Move” from his Udo solo project. The German singer manages to get the audience clapping along the chugging showmanship of guitarists Fabián Dee Dammers and Andriy Smirnov as they do battle.
Udo then performs the first of many songs from his Accept heydays. “Midnight Mover” still has the catchy hooks, and memorable chorus, but needs the help of backing singers to harmonise the old track.
The show is a constant rollercoaster, as Udo mixes up the hits. There is also time for a bass, and drum solos. The other highlights include the Monstrous “Man and Machine” and the dark and mesmerising “They Want War”, which keeps those heads banging. And, of course, An Udo release would not feel right without some Accept hits, including the intensity of “Fast Shark”, the popular “Balls to The Wall”, and the hook-laden “Metal Heart”. Udo still feels at home with these tracks, even though it has been over a decade since his departure. Overall, this is a fun outing for diehard fans to cheer them up during lockdown.
Band Lineup
Udo Dirkschneider (Vocals), Andrey Smirnov (Guitars), Fabian Dee Dammers (Guitars), Tilen Hudrap (Bass), Sven Dirkschneider (Drums)
I’m Music Magazine Contributing Writer Anselm Anderson
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