Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Accept
Title
Blind Rage
Type
LP/EP
Company
Nuclear Blast
YOR
2014
Style
Traditional
10/22/2014 - Review by: Vinaya Saksena
Overall it's something to be commended
I thought Accept's 2010 release, 'Blood of the Nations', was one of the most powerful and utterly flawless comeback albums in recent metal history. So, you'd think I'd love this, their third album since bouncing back with former T.T. Quick vocalist Mark Tornillo in place of longtime shrieker Udo Dirkschneider, given the band's remarkably consistent adherence to the "Blood..." formula since then. And yeah, on the surface, 'Blind Rage' is more of the same flawlessly sculpted Teutonic metal that worked wonders on both BotN and, to a lesser degree, its 2012 follow-up 'Stalingrad'. But as much as I have marveled at the band's vitality, I feel that there's something missing this time around. Things start off in killer fashion with the fast and furious opening salvo of "Stampede," but then "Dying Breed" kicks in and you realize that this pair of tracks utilizes much the same formula as the opening pairs of songs on both 'Blood' and 'Stalingrad'. You know: Fast, angular, well-composed, riff-rocker followed by swinging, triplet-grooved sing-along in the tradition started with "Teutonic Terror". Not that any of these are really bad songs, but this routine is getting to feel a bit predictable and formulaic.

To varying degrees, this is a problem that haunts 'Blind Rage' throughout many of its eleven tracks. At certain points, you can almost predict on the first listen what chord they are going to hit next or what sort of riff or melody you are going to hear next. On one level, it's reassuring to those who love the sound of the band's last two albums (and much of their classic work). But on a deeper level, it's a somewhat troubling development, making one wonder how much longer they can keep things fresh and exciting.

However, worry as I might about the state of the band's creativity, there is pretty much no problem at all with their musical skill and craftsmanship. Songs like "Dark Side of My Heart" (with its "Up To The Limit"-esque intro riff) and the insistent "Bloodbath Mastermind" boast catchy, grooving riffs and tasteful yet edgy, piercing solos from guitar mainstay Wolf Hoffmann. Presumably 'Balls To The Wall'-era co-guitarist Herman Frank is still officially involved, although from what Wolf and bassist Peter Baltes told me circa BotN, Hoffmann played nearly all of the guitars on that album. Judging by the sound, I'm guessing pretty much the same is true of both 'Stalingrad' and this album. Another positive: the lyrics occasionally show an increased maturity, dealing in a sincere fashion with topics like human trafficking ("Wanna Be Free") and the frustrations felt by those trying for good in a world that does not always reward their efforts ("The Curse").

Overall, 'Blind Rage' is something to be commended, the third solid album in a row from a band many probably (understandably) believed to be well past their prime. The fact that the band are willing and able to put in the work needed to make an album of this quality level this late in their career is in itself good news. The aforementioned concerns about formula and repetition are not serious enough for me to lose faith in the band...yet. But I would hope that the band take that as a polite hint that -as solid as this album is, and as much as they don't want to mess with a winning formula- they may want to consider some minor (key word: MINOR) tweaks and experiments next time around. (Note: One of my favorite "Blood of the Nations" cuts was the haunting, heavy and moody "Shades of Death," which in my opinion demonstrated what can happen when these guys shake things up just a bit) So, to conclude: If you want something that reinvents classic German metal, look elsewhere. If you're happy with what you got from Accept the last couple of times, buy this! I'm grudgingly on board, but holding out hope that they can do better next time (because I believe they can!).
9/1/2014 - Review by: Eric Compton
Another quality release from these German traditionalists
Hoffman and his boys are back at it again with partners Andy Sneap and Nuclear Blast. The notion that Udo would be better form for the band is now long forgotten. Tornillo has won over his constituents by conciliating three solid albums over a five year period. ‘Blind Rage’ is the embodiment of a band who know their audience very well and deliver the proverbial goods in grand style. This one is well stocked with riffs aplenty, notably the hook, line and sinker of “Fall of the Empire” and “Dying Breed”. While rock it all for rock’s sake is clearly the statement for “Dark Side of my Heart” and “Bloodbath Mastermind”, I am loving the band’s real world writing style for this very mature record. “200 Years” is a phenomenal faster cut written about a post-apocalyptic utopia, the song soaked in driving rhythm and Tornillo’s low to mid register voice. “Trail of Tears” concerns the exile of Native Americans in the US while the emotional power ballad “Wanna Be Free” tackles human trafficking. Production is once again off the charts, a valuable asset that lets these Germans continue dominating that hybrid category of heavy metal and hard rock.
  • 2 :REVIEW COUNT
    3.75 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: ACCEPT
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Blind Rage
2014
Nuclear Blast
Eric Compton9/1/2014
4
Blind Rage
2014
Nuclear Blast
Vinaya Saksena10/22/2014
3.5
Blood of the Nations
2010
Nuclear Blast
Vinaya Saksena8/16/2010
4
Blood of the Nations
2010
Nuclear Blast
Eric Compton9/1/2010
4
Eat The Heat
1989
Epic Records
Eric Compton12/5/2005
-
The Rise of Chaos
2017
Nuclear Blast
Eric Compton7/29/2017
4

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: ACCEPT
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE
Peter BaltesVinaya Saksena12/2/2010


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