When a stocky diminutive German with an unmistakably raspy metallic voice debuted in 1979, he likely couldn’t have imagined having 27 studio albums under his belt by the time 2024 rolled around.
Most vocalists would see that as a blessing. And, in reality, Udo Dirkschneider most likely does. But when it comes to selecting songs to play live these days, the original voice of Accept views it as something else.
“There’s too many albums,” the 72-year-old Dirkschneider told his fans last Saturday night at Fitzgerald’s. “It’s a nightmare, really.”
Udo’s dilemma is his followers’ gain. Especially on this night.
That’s because eight years after declaring he would no longer perform tracks from his Accept days, the original voice of that seminal band mixed in a trio of those classics as part of a 90-minute, 16-song set touring in support of 2023 album Touchdown.
And this latest visit, supported by New Jersey thrashers Midnite Hellion, Christian outfit KillDevil Theory from El Paso and local veterans S.A. Territories, came with a bonus: original Accept bassist Peter Baltes left his longtime band to reunite with Dirkschneider’s solo group, which includes the singer’s son Sven Dirkschneider on drums with Andrey Smirnov and Fabian Dee Dammers handling dual guitar duties.
Patrons at Fitzgerald’s could also feel fortunate to witness Udo and company on a couple of other levels: a) this visit was originally scheduled for last November at Rolling Oaks Mall’s Events Center, only to have visa and travel issues disrupt those plans. b) shortly after Saturday’s gig, the bands had to cancel the El Paso stop in KillDevil Theory’s hometown due to a promoter snafu, according to Dirkschneider’s social media pages.
So a sizable audience at Fitzgerald’s took in Dirkschneider taking the stage to new track “Isolation Man” followed by 1989 tune “Break the Rules” (ATM Facebook Live footage of both here). Udo would go on to play Accept track “Midnight Mover” and four Touchdown tunes in all before ending the night with a pair of 1987 classics from personal favorite Animal House — which Dirkschneider told Alamo True Metal in 2015 was supposed to be the next Accept studio album that turned into his first solo record after his departure — and putting the cherry on top with a pair of his best-known Accept offerings (ATM footage of all four songs below; setlist in 46-photo gallery).
On paper, having a thrash trio and a Christian band provide direct support wouldn’t appear to be a good fit on a Dirkschneider-led bill. But who doesn't appreciate an eclectic show?
Midnite Hellion’s second album Kingdom Immortal dropped two years ago, but the group was finally able to bring the tunes to the Alamo City, and it didn’t disappoint.
Founded by drummer Drew Rizzo and fronted by singer/bassist Rich Kubik (who sports a resemblance to Corey Taylor and the late Grim Reaper vocalist Steve Grimmett), Midnite Hellion brought the heaviness to the Fitz. The eight-song album was recorded in a six-day span, a tempo representative of the group’s hard-hitting sound, with producer Alex Perialas, who has worked with Overkill, Testament and Joe Bonamassa among others. Perialas is also known for having recorded S.O.D.’s Speak English Or Die in two days and mixing it on the third day while Anthrax was recording Spreading the Disease.
Check out ATM’s Facebook Live footage of “Phantomland” and “Cross the Line.” The former was inspired by Tom Petty’s “Refugee” and “thematically inspired by the original Nosferatu,” according to a press release.
KillDevil Theory didn’t hit the Fitzgerald’s audience over the head with Christian messages. In fact, the C word wasn’t mentioned at all. But the band, fronted by singer/keyboardist Deanna Crane with her husband Curtis Crane on guitar, her brother-in-law Phil Evans on bass and the intense Johnny Torres on drums did deliver some uplifting Rock N’ Roll that was both melodic and heavy. That was most exemplified on “As I Kneel,” which was highlighted by Curtis Crane’s guitar solo (watch here).
KillDevil Theory has three albums under its wings, with the latest being 2021’s Second Coming, highlighted by “Die Another Day.”
The Cranes’ formation of the band, and its sparking of Christian overtones, came about as a result of their daughter being born prematurely which resulted in the couple living with her in the hospital for her first nine months. They discovered Christ in the process, and the band is happy to report that their daughter is now doing well at age 15.
Not to be outdone was longtime local favorites S.A. Territories. Led as always by guitarist / vocalist Orrie V., the quartet took the stage at an early 7:15 p.m. (heck, Udo rocked from 10-11:30 p.m., one of the rare times a Saturday night gig at Fitzgerald’s didn’t end the following morning) and delighted the locals with a slew of tracks including “Promises”, “The Conquerors” and “Eternity,” the latter able to be seen here).
Orrie and his crew are true metal representatives of the San Antonio scene, and one of the things that makes them a joy to watch is that their style, while still being heavy at heart, can fit on virtually any bill supporting any type of national artist.
When Orrie isn’t on stage with his main act, he’s also singing nowadays in Iron Maiden tribute Seventh Son and has an ode to Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush as well.
