Album Review: ACCEPT - Too Mean To Die

 

01. Zombie Apocalypse
02. Too Mean To Die
03. Overnight Sensation
04. No Ones Master
05. The Undertaker
06. Sucks To Be You
07. Symphony Of Pain
08. The Best Is Yet To Come
09. How Do We Sleep
10. Not My Problem
11. Samson And Delilah

If you've been keeping up with 'all things Accept', you will know that, after their last studio album (2017's The Rise Of Chaos - click here for my review), their long-time bassist and co-song writer Peter Baltes left the band. This left lead guitarist Wolf Hoffman as the only original member of Accept. However, their new bassist Martin Motnik and new guitarist Philip Shouse (yes, they now have three guitarists like Iron Maiden) seem to have fitted in perfectly, and, once again, it's business as usual.

Regardless of whatever drama has surrounded the band over the years, their output has always been excellent, and their brand of no bullshit Heavy Metal has not only stood the test of time, but has got better and better. If you were a fan before, there's no reason that you won't love Too Mean To Die. You know what you're going to get, and Accept delivers once again.

Opener, Zombie Apocalypse, is a full on belter of a track. Lyrically, it does remind me of an old man shouting at clouds, as it likens the younger generation to zombies due to them being glued to their phones. It's not something to be taken too seriously, and the awesome riffage more than cements its place as an absolute classic. 

The title track is another high-octane gem. Overnight Sensation lowers the pace a little in favour of some tasty Hard rock riffage. Sucks To Be You is another personal favourite, oozing attitude and stomping like a beast. Symphony Of Pain is another amazing slab of traditional Heavy Metal and has the sound of classic Accept running through it, along with a classical interlude, like in Metal Heart. 

Overall, it's certainly a stronger album than its predecessor, and boasts enough killer songs to get a new generation of fans hooked. Accept, regardless of line-up, has always been one of the best Heavy Metal bands in the world, and Too Mean To Die manages to be one of their best albums in such a highly revered discography. Considering the band has been around for over 40 years, that's a massive achievement. Accept are, without a doubt, absolute legends and masters of their craft.