40 years of “Balls To The Wall”: This milestone anniversary of ACCEPT’s iconic album simply couldn’t remain uncelebrated by DIRKSCHNEIDER, U.D.O.’s incarnation to pay tribute to the musical past of their frontman Udo Dirkschneider. Except releasing two live albums, DIRKSCHNEIDER had never been a recording band, but that has changed today as they are releasing the reimagining of the mentioned cult album, titled “Balls To The Wall Reloaded,” through Reigning Phoenix Music. Gathering a top-notch selection of guest vocalists consisting of old companions but also of musicians from newer generations, the re-recording highlights the unbroken influence of the album on both old and young metalheads worldwide.
To celebrate, DIRKSCHNEIDER are not only performing the classic album in its entirety during their current European tour. Today, the group have even released a music video for the track ‘London Leatherboys,’ which they could win no one better than British metal icon Biff Byford, the singer of SAXON, for. Complementing Udo as if it was the original version, Byford puts his stamp on the much-loved hit song with his unmistakable vocals. The accompanying video takes fans on the road and gives them an insight into DIRKSCHNEIDER’s ongoing “Balls To The Wall” anniversary tour, which also cements the continuous passion for “Balls The Wall,” leading the group to many sold out and packed places across the continent.
“The re-recording of ‘London Leatherboys’ with Biff Byford was something very special. Biff and I have a long history together – I’ve already been rocking the stages with him back in the 80s. It was great to work together again on this song. Biff’s powerful voice brings a new intensity to this classic, and it feels like we’re reviving our own heavy metal history,” states ‘the voice’ himself, Udo Dirkschneider.
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7wuNu04vH0
Stream/purchase BTTWR: https://dirkschneider.rpm.link/bttwrPR
BALLS TO THE WALL RELOADED – Track Listing:
- Balls To The Wall [feat. Joakim Brodén of SABATON]
- London Leatherboys [feat. Biff Byford of SAXON]
- Fight It Back [feat. Mille Petrozza of KREATOR]
- Head Over Heels [feat. Nils Molin of DYNAZTY/AMARANTHE]
- Losing More Than You’ve Ever Had [feat. Michael Kiske of HELLOWEEN]
- Love Child [feat. Ylva Eriksson of BROTHERS OF METAL]
- Turn Me On [feat. Danko Jones]
- Losers And Winners [feat. Dee Snider of TWISTED SISTER]
- Guardian Of The Night [feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens of KK’s PRIEST, formerly of JUDAS PRIEST]
- Winter Dreams [feat. Doro Pesch]
More from Balls To The Wall Reloaded:
‘Balls To The Wall [feat. Joakim Brodén]’ OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRd-7LcK7OE
‘Winter Dreams [feat. Doro Pesch]’ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AxQKqzL_Fs
This ambitious reinterpretation not only revitalises the original tracks but also emphasises their timeless impact on the metal genre. More than a revival, this project serves as a celebration of the album’s enduring legacy, enriched by the enthusiasm and contributions of some of metal’s most influential voices.
““Balls To The Wall” is a milestone in my career of course. That’s why it was even more important to me to make the original songs shine in a new light without losing their initial essence. All guests have put their individual stamps on these classic tracks, and collaborating with such outstanding vocalists has moved them into a fresh and exciting dimension. The result is a powerful homage to all fans but also an invitation to the next generation to experience the songs not minorly passionate than I was when I recorded them back in the day. It’s a never-ending personal journey for me – “Balls To The Wall” will always be a part of me,” states Udo.
This reimagined “Balls To The Wall” is a fitting tribute to heavy metal history, proving that its power and influence remain as potent today as they were four decades ago.
DIRKSCHNEIDER are:
Udo Dirkschneider | vocals
Andrey Smirnov | guitar
Fabian “Dee” Dammers | guitar
Peter Baltes | bass
Sven Dirkschneider | drums
More on DIRKSCHNEIDER:
udo-online.com | Facebook: U.D.O. / Dirkschneider / Udo Dirkschneider
Instagram | X | YouTube | RPM
