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U.D.O.: Touchdown
U.D.O. - Touchdown Album Art

U.D.O.: Touchdown

Traditional Heavy Metal
4.0/5.0

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Atomic Fire Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 15.08.2023 | Released: 25.08.2023

Officially a septuagenarian, Udo Dirkschneider remains a true icon in the heavy metal universe, right up there with Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford. Since 1987, after leaving Accept, Udo has been performing with his namesake band, U.D.O., releasing 17 studio albums. Since 2015, his band has featured his son Sven on drums. Now U.D.O. returns with his 18th long player, Touchdown, having moved to the German label, Atomic Fire Records. The album welcomes new bass player Peter Baltes who filled in for former bassist Tilen Hudrap when he feel ill in 2022. As an aside: coincidentally, Touchdown releases on the 71st birthday of Rob Halford.

U.D.O. - Click For Larger Image

U.D.O.

Musically, U.D.O. needs little introduction for true metal fans. Essentially, this is twin guitar driven, fast and heavy, classic metal with plenty of groove and Dirkschneider's well-known gruff vocals. The arrangements, simply, rev up and make a beeline to the guitar solos. It's a signature sound that will never change. It's always the classic and original Coke, not some new version.


Pointing out some songs is a habit in my reviews. Yet considering the aforementioned U.D.O. formula, most are speedy heavy metal numbers like The Betrayer, Better Start To Run, Touchdown, or Isolation Man which has a powerful drum start from Sven Dirkschneider. Perhaps more steady metal comes with Living Hell or Punchline. Also, true to form, U.D.O. songs can have a positive message wrapped in traditional metal, and so you have Fight For The Right, Forever Free, and Heroes Of Freedom.

All said, and as expected, Touchdown is quintessential and classic U.D.O., with Dirkschneider and friends delivering traditional speedy heavy metal with his whiskey gruff vocals at the forefront. If you're a fan, you will enjoy this album. Recommended.



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The Take Away

Touchdown is quintessential and classic U.D.O., with Dirkschneider and friends delivering traditional speedy heavy metal with his whiskey gruff vocals at the forefront. If you're a fan, you will enjoy this album. Recommended.

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