The third release to feature Mark Tornillo sees this German metal institution making their music sound a lot more polished. Coupled with this is the raw metal energy that fills the air with tunes like the raging opener ‘Stampede’, whilst ‘Dark Side of My Heart’ becomes reminiscent of their breakthrough ‘Metal Heart’ release at its intro…Accept still know how to craft a rousing metal tune or two.
Accept mix metal lyrics with a social statement on this release. The social commentary comes with ‘Wanna Be Free’ which has a chorus that I can see being sung with passion by their fans; for me it does highlight a more melodic stance in the music. The tried and tested Andy Sneap mix is marvellous, but some of the arrangements lose their raw edge in places, but you cannot argue with the lead breaks and riffs, the first part of the album is pretty damn fine the way it flows.
‘200 Years’ is classic Accept, very metal and very catchy and this is solidified further with something like ‘Bloodbath Mastermind’ that starts out a little on the lighter side, but then quickly develops into the monster that it becomes. Vocally it sounds like Tornillo has found his feet and sounds like a seasoned Accept member adding to the many melodic flavours of this release in his own style, there is no reason to be comparing this to previous vocal performances by past members at this stage. History appears to repeat itself though, following the rebirth of Accept after ‘Blood of the Nations’, ‘Blind Rage’ for me has the same connection or follow on aspect that ‘Balls to the Wall’ and ‘Metal Heart’ had with a genuine nod to their loyal fans, friends and musicians with ‘Dying Breed’. So what I am trying to say is that ‘Blind Rage’ I feel is an expansion of their last two efforts, something Accept have managed gracefully in the past.
Accept still deliver, ‘Blind Rage’ seems to fit with a band whom have found their feet after a couple of testers in the form of their previous two releases, but I do actually prefer those to this as they were more dynamic. No matter what though, if you are looking for a strong consistent metal album then this will be for you, there is no denying that quality is at the forefront of the Accept arsenal and I am sure this will gain a gratifying response from their many fans.
(8/10 Paul Maddison)
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