Accept - Teutonic Titans 1976-2026 (2026)

A celebratory sonic revamp of classic Teutonic metal tracks, marking an anniversary with a massive lineup of guest musicians. It’s not a tribute album in the strict sense—Accept remains the core, even regarding Mark Tornillo’s vocals. "Run If You Can" – the vocals hit the mark. "Metal Heart" – they disastrously ruined the song's best moment: the guitar solo; even the a cappella section doesn't erase that impression. "Losers and Winners" turned out powerful, though Kürsch could have been utilized more effectively. "Fight It Back" smashes through walls with relentless force; both the vocal (Mark Lopes) and guitar (Bumblefoot) reworkings are excellent here. "Love Child" – a truly unexpected collaboration with Billy Corgan. "Breaker" – races along at full speed, though it feels a bit chaotic. A major downside for me personally: when vocalists trade lines one by one, it feels a bit like a casual jam session. On the plus side, a blistering rhythm section is always welcome in Teutonic metal, especially when every part sounds crisp and clear. Udo, unfortunately, didn't show up. Overall, there were no real surprises—as is often the case with projects like this—but everyone had fun, and the album definitely rocks.