Review U.D.O. ‘Touchdown’

Usually, a touchdown means six point with the chance for an extra point. In American Football it is the best way to score and win a game. Here is the parallel to the newest record by U.D.O.. Simply entitled ‘Touchdown’ Udo Dirkschneider and bandmates deliver another excellently crafted metal album that will score. And instead of just seven point this longplayer comes with 13 songs, all great moments that will continue the winning streak of U.D.O..

‘Touchdown’ represents U.D.O. from start to finish. Nobody expected the German metal legend to change the sound in dramatic fashion. The album features songs that are the typical heavy pounding metal anthem, that we all know from the singer. What stands out though is, that the new album sounds fresher and more dynamic compared to the previous releases. Sometimes one even feels reminded of the earlier Accept days while listening to songs like ‘The Double Dealer’s Club’. It might have to do with the fact of Peter Baltes being part of the band after former bassist Tilen Hudrap left U.D.O.. It feels like the old spirit returned during the cooperation and songs like ‘Fight for the Right’ are the best example for this reinforced vibe. A feature also used by Accept are the classic interpretations that sneaked in ones in a while. In this case, U.D.O. interprets Mozart’s ‘Turkish March’ in the solo part of ‘Fight for the Right’ which is highly entertaining.

Also to mention is the heavy pounding ‘Punchline’ and the aggressive ‘The Betrayer’ with a scream in the beginning that I can’t remember having heard from Dirkschneider earlier. It is a dark and rather modern metal track, showing the creativity in the song writing.

Melodic and a typical U.D.O. anthem, that is ‘Better Start to Run’ while ‘The Battle Understood’ is hard-hitting headbanger that will challenge your neck muscles.

The speedy title track, being fast as a shark, is the final chapter of ‘Touchdown’ and there I no doubt that U.D.O. scores another ‘W’ with this album. Udo Dirkschneider and bandmates is an institution and the new longplayer underlines this in great fashion. Never tired and driven by the power of metal, U.D.O. never disappoints. Horns up.