U.D.O.
U.D.O. performing in 2019
U.D.O. performing in 2019
Background information
OriginSolingen, Germany
GenresHeavy metal
Years active
  • 1987–1992
  • 1996–present
LabelsAFM, Breaker, GUN, RCA
MembersUdo Dirkschneider
Andrey Smirnov
Dee Dammers
Sven Dirkschneider
Peter Baltes
Past membersPeter Szigeti
Frank Rittel
Mathias Dieth
Thomas Franke
Wolla Böhm
Dieter Rubach
Andy Susemihl
Thomas Smuszynski
Stefan Schwarzmann
Frank Fricke
Jurgen Graf
Lorenzo Milani
Stefan Kaufmann
Igor Gianola
Francesco Jovino
Kasperi Heikkinen
Bill Hudson
Fitty Wienhold
Tilen Hudrap
Websitewww.udo-online.de

U.D.O. is a German heavy metal band founded by lead vocalist Udo Dirkschneider in 1987.

History

Following Dirkschneider's departure from Accept in 1987, he formed his own band called U.D.O. The first line-up consisted of guitarists Mathias Dieth and Peter Szigeti, bassist Frank Rittel and drummer Thomas Franke. They released the debut album Animal House on 3 November 1987, which was entirely written by Accept. Szigeti, Rittel and Franke departed the band and was replaced by guitarist Andy Susemihl, bassist Thomas Smuzyszki and drummer Stefan Schwarzmann. The second album Mean Machine was released on 10 January 1989.

Susemihl left the band, leaving U.D.O. as a four-piece. The third album Faceless World was released on 25 February 1990. Its sound was a more commercial output, but achieving great success; this being their best selling album so far. The fourth album Timebomb was released on 3 April 1991. It was a heavier effort than their previous releases. In 1992, Dirkschneider put U.D.O. on hiatus to reunite with Accept.

U.D.O. performing in 2004

In 1996, Dirkschneider reactivated U.D.O. with a brand new line-up; former Accept drummer Stefan Kaufmann, now performing as a guitarist, with guitarist Jürgen Graf and bassist Fitty Wienhold from Bullet and returning member Stefan Schwarzmann. The band recorded the Judas Priest song "Metal Gods" for the 1997 compilation album A Tribute to Judas Priest: Legends of Metal.

On 24 March 1997, U.D.O. released their fifth album Solid. It was featured on the Rock Hard magazine reader charts for more than a year after its release. The album was followed up with No Limits on 20 April 1998, featuring a similar songwriting approach from Solid. It features a cover of the Austrian pop band Supermax's hit single "Love Machine". After the conclusion of the band's tour, Stefan Schwarzmann quit the band. He was replaced with new drummer Lorenzo Milani.

The next album Holy was released on 18 October 1999, receiving critical acclaim. It was a return to the guitar-driven sound similar to the Balls to the Wall-era Accept. A world tour followed with dates in the United States and several other major countries. The band known as Vanize, fronted by Udo Dirkschneider's brother Peter, supported U.D.O. during the tour. Line-up changes occurred during the second part of the tour with Gotthard guitarist Igor Gianola replacing Jürgen Graf. The tour spawned the first live album Live from Russia, which was released on 15 October 2001, a 2-CD release.

On 24 July 2002, the eighth album Man and Machine was released, receiving a somewhat lukewarm reception. Despite standout songs such as the title track and "Private Eye", the album was ultimately less successful than Holy. It is notable for the song "Dancing with an Angel", featuring a duet performance of Dirkschneider and vocalist Doro Pesch.[1][2] U.D.O. released their ninth studio album Thunderball on 29 March 2004. The follow-up album Mission No. X was originally due for release on 4 October 2005, but was pushed forward by one week and was released on 30 September 2005 instead. It was the first album to feature Edge of Forever drummer Francesco Jovino.[3][4][5]

On 18 May 2007, the eleventh album Mastercutor was released.[6][7] In August 2007, bassist Fitty Weinhold was unable to perform with the band due to "private reasons". He would be temporarily replaced with former Majesty bassist Marcus Bielenberg for touring purposes.[8] The second live album Mastercutor Alive was released on 26 September 2008.[9] U.D.O.'s twelfth studio album Dominator was released on 21 August 2009.[10] The next studio album Rev-Raptor was originally due for release on 14 January 2011, but was delayed until 18 March 2011 due to the recurrence of Stefan Kaufmann's back problems.[11][12] It was delayed again, but was officially released on 20 May 2011.[13] The third live album Live in Sofia was released on 9 November 2012.[14][15]

In September 2012, Kaufmann announced his departure for health reasons. He would continue to work in the surroundings of the band and produce for other bands in his own personal studio.[16] On 15 January 2013, Russian guitarist Andrey Smirnov was recruited as the new member.[17] A week later, Igor Gianola left the band "due to conflicts between band appointments and his private life and business." Following his departure, guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen joined the band.[18] The fourteenth album Steelhammer was released on 20 May 2013.[19] The fourth live album Steelhammer – Live from Moscow was released in May 2014.[20]

In December 2014, drummer Francesco Jovino left the band for personal reasons, joining Primal Fear in 2015.[21][22] He was replaced by Udo Dirkschneider's son Sven in February 2015.[23] U.D.O. released the fifteenth studio album Decadent on 23 January 2015.[24] The fifth album titled Navy Metal Night was released on 30 July 2015 as the band performed with a German navy orchestra (Marinemusikkorps Nordsee).[25]

U.D.O. at Wacken Open Air 2015

In February 2017, Heikkinen announced his departure citing personal reasons. According to the band, no bad blood or drama were involved between the two.[26] In March 2017, guitarist Bill Hudson was announced as the new member.[27] On 24 April 2018, Hudson parted ways with the band "due to a difference in their individual visions for the future", according to Dirkschneider, adding that there was no "negative feelings on either side."[28][29][30][31][32] In June 2018, Stefan Kaufmann temporarily rejoined the band only for the summer festival appearances until a new guitarist was found.[33] The sixteenth album Steelfactory was released on 31 August 2018, with the first single "Rising High" being made available for streaming.[34] On 19 September 2018, bassist Fitty Wienhold announced his departure from U.D.O., but stated that he would remain with the band if needed.[35] The band soon recruited German guitarist Dee Dammers and Slovenian bassist Tilen Hudrap as their new members.[36]

During U.D.O.'s touring in Europe in early 2019, Dirkschneider performed as a handicap after experiencing left knee pain. He vowed to continue without doctors' advice and without causing disappointment to the fans.[37] The band was originally scheduled to perform at the Wacken Open Air festival in 2020 by performing Accept's 1985 album Metal Heart in its entirety to celebrate its 35th anniversary, with the addition of Das Musikkorps der Bundeswehr,[38] but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[39] Instead, they would collaborate together to record an album titled We Are One, which was released on 17 July 2020. It reached number 8 in the official German album charts, the second highest position for any U.D.O album in 34 years, right after Steelfactory, which peaked at number 7.[40]

The sixth live album Live In Bulgaria 2020 – Pandemic Survival Show was released on 19 March 2021, which was recorded live on 18 September 2020 in front of 2500 fans in Plovdiv.[41] The seventeenth studio album Game Over was released on 22 October 2021.[42]

In September 2022, bassist Tilen Hudrap got injured in Munich while playing a show during the Game Over world tour. Former Accept bassist Peter Baltes would step in as the temporary member.[43] Hudrap announced his departure from the band soon after.[44] In April 2023, Baltes was announced as the band's new bassist.[45] The eighteenth studio album Touchdown was released on 25 August 2023.[46]

Dirkschneider

In 2015, Udo Dirkschneider announced that he would embark on a special tour in 2016, stating that he would no longer perform Accept songs in the live shows. During this tour, U.D.O. would perform under the name Dirkschneider, consisting of only the songs from Udo's time in the band.[47][48] They began the Back to the Roots – Farewell to Accept tour in North America in 2017,[49] returning for a second time in 2018.[50] A 2-CD live album titled Live: Back to the Roots was released on 28 October 2016,[51] with an updated version titled Live: Back to the Roots – Accepted! that was released on 4 August 2017, featuring a DVD of their performance from Brno, Czech Republic.[52] They performed the songs for another year, due to the fans' request.[53] In 2018, the Dirkschneider band was put to a close as Udo did not want to cause confusion between U.D.O. and this band, opting to continue with U.D.O.[54] Due to continued interest, the band would perform under the Dirkschneider name only on an occasion.[55][56][57]

Discography

Band members

Current members

  • Udo Dirkschneider – vocals (1987–1992,1996–present)
  • Andrey Smirnov – guitars (2013–present)
  • Sven Dirkschneider – drums (2015–present)
  • Dee Dammers – guitars (2018–present)
  • Peter Baltes – bass, backing vocals (2023–present)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "U.D.O. Confirm Track Listing For "Man And Machine"!". Blabbermouth.net. 21 December 2001. Retrieved 21 December 2001.
  2. ↑ "Dirkschneider And Pesch Team Up On U.D.O. CD". Blabbermouth.net. 10 January 2002. Retrieved 10 January 2002.
  3. ↑ "U.D.O.: New Album Details Revealed, Audio Samples Available". Blabbermouth.net. 7 June 2005. Retrieved 7 June 2005.
  4. ↑ "U.D.O.: 'Mission No. X' Cover Artwork Posted Online". Blabbermouth.net. 20 July 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2005.
  5. ↑ "U.D.O.: 'Mission No. X' To Arrive One Week Earlier". Blabbermouth.net. 24 September 2005. Retrieved 24 September 2005.
  6. ↑ "U.D.O.: 'Mastercutor' Bonus Tracks Detailed; 'The Wrong Side Of Midnight' Video Available". Blabbermouth.net. 9 May 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2007.
  7. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER Discusses New U.D.O. Album 'Mastercutor'". Blabbermouth.net. 16 June 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2007.
  8. ↑ "U.D.O. Recruits Temporary Bassist". Blabbermouth.net. 4 August 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2007.
  9. ↑ "U.D.O.: 'Mastercutor Alive' Artwork Unveiled". Blabbermouth.net. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
  10. ↑ "U.D.O.: 'Dominator' Artwork Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 6 July 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  11. ↑ "U.D.O.: New Album Delayed". Blabbermouth.net. 14 October 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
  12. ↑ "U.D.O.: New Album Pushed Back To May". Blabbermouth.net. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2010.
  13. ↑ "U.D.O.: Complete 'Rev-Raptor' Album Details Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 28 March 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  14. ↑ "U.D.O.: Sofia Concert To Be Filmed For Next DVD". Blabbermouth.net. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  15. ↑ "U.D.O.: 'Live In Sofia' Release Date Announced". Blabbermouth.net. 23 July 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  16. ↑ "GUITARIST STEFAN KAUFMANN LEAVES U.D.O.; BAND SEEK REPLACEMENT". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  17. ↑ "U.D.O. Announces New Guitarist". Blabbermouth.net. 15 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  18. ↑ "Guitarist Igor Gianola Leaves U.D.O., Replacement Announced". metalunderground.com. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  19. ↑ "U.D.O.: 'Steelhammer' Track Listing Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 8 March 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  20. ↑ "U.D.O – STEELHAMMER – LIVE FROM MOSCOW TO BE RELEASED IN MAY". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  21. ↑ "DRUMMER FRANCESCO JOVINO LEAVES U.D.O.; BAND SEEK REPLACEMENT". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  22. ↑ "Primal Fear - Drummer Aquiles Out, Francesco Jovino In". metalstorm.net. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
  23. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER's Son SVEN Joins U.D.O. As Band's Drummer". Blabbermouth.net. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  24. ↑ "U.D.O.: 'Decadent' Track Listing Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  25. ↑ "U.D.O. To Release 'Navy Metal Night' DVD/2CD In July". Blabbermouth.net. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  26. ↑ "Guitarist KASPERI HEIKKINEN Quits U.D.O. And DIRKSCHNEIDER". Blabbermouth.net. 17 February 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  27. ↑ "U.D.O. And DIRKSCHNEIDER Joined By Guitarist BILL HUDSON". Blabbermouth.net. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  28. ↑ "Guitarist BILL HUDSON Exits U.D.O. And DIRKSCHNEIDER After Only A Year". Blabbermouth.net. 24 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  29. ↑ "Guitarist BILL HUDSON Sets Record Straight Regarding His Exit From DIRKSCHNEIDER". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  30. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER Comments On Recent U.D.O. Lineup Changes: 'I Want To Have Fresh Blood In The Band'". Blabbermouth.net. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  31. ↑ "U.D.O. – The Tank Drives On". Metal Forces.
  32. ↑ "Ex-U.D.O. Guitarist KASPERI HEIKKINEN Fires Back At UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER: His Comments Are 'Bitter' And 'Unprofessional'". Blabbermouth.net. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  33. ↑ "U.D.O. Rejoined By Guitarist STEFAN KAUFMANN For Summer Festival Appearances". Blabbermouth.net. 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  34. ↑ "U.D.O. To Release 'Steelfactory' Album In August; First Single 'Rising High' Now Available". Blabbermouth.net. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  35. ↑ "Bassist FITTY WIENHOLD Exits U.D.O. After 22 Years". Blabbermouth.net. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  36. ↑ "U.D.O. Announces New Guitarist And Bassist". Blabbermouth.net. 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  37. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER Ignores Doctors' Advice, Will Tour With U.D.O. Despite 'Serious Health' Issue". Blabbermouth.net. 19 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  38. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER To Perform ACCEPT's 'Metal Heart' Album In Its Entirety At Next Year's WACKEN OPEN AIR". Blabbermouth.net. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  39. ↑ "Coronavirus: Wacken heavy metal festival called off due to outbreak". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  40. ↑ "Former ACCEPT Members UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER, PETER BALTES And STEFAN KAUFMANN Reunite For U.D.O.'s 'We Are One' Album". Blabbermouth.net. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  41. ↑ EDITORIAL TEAM (13 January 2021). "U.D.O. Announce Release of "Live In Bulgaria 2020 – Pandemic Survival Show"". Sonic Perspectives. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  42. ↑ "U.D.O. To Release 'Game Over' Album In October". Blabbermouth.net. July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  43. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER Enlists Former ACCEPT Bassist PETER BALTES For U.D.O.'s European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  44. ↑ "U.D.O. Parts Ways With Bassist TILEN HUDRAP". Blabbermouth.net. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  45. ↑ "Ex-ACCEPT Bassist PETER BALTES Officially Joins UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER's U.D.O. And DIRKSCHNEIDER". Blabbermouth.net. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  46. ↑ Metal Invader Team. "U.D.O. to release new album "Touchdown" on August 25th, 2023". metalinvader.net. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  47. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER To Embark On Special ACCEPT 'Farewell' Tour In 2016". Blabbermouth.net. August 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  48. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER Explains Decision To 'Close The ACCEPT Chapter'". Blabbermouth.net. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
  49. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER Announces North American 'Back To The Roots - Farewell To ACCEPT' Tour". Blabbermouth.net. June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  50. ↑ "DIRKSCHNEIDER To Return To North America In Early 2018". Blabbermouth.net. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  51. ↑ "DIRKSCHNEIDER To Release 'Live - Back To The Roots' Album In October". Blabbermouth.net. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  52. ↑ "DIRKSCHNEIDER To Release 'Live - Back To The Roots - Accepted!' In August". Blabbermouth.net. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  53. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER To Continue Performing ACCEPT Classics For At Least Another Year". Blabbermouth.net. 21 March 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  54. ↑ "Former ACCEPT Frontman UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER Doesn't Want To Confuse People By Continuing Namesake 'DIRKSCHNEIDER' Band". Blabbermouth.net. 18 November 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  55. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER Says He Will Perform ACCEPT Songs With U.D.O. On Upcoming North American Tour". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  56. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER: Why I Am Still Performing ACCEPT Songs". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  57. ↑ "UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER Defends His Decision To Continue Performing ACCEPT Material With U.D.O.: People 'Still Wanna Hear These Songs'". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
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