Maximum Metal Rating Legend

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!).
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.