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Accept: The Rise of Chaos

The Rise of Chaos is the fourth release in the 'new era' of Accept, and follows the very strong trio of Blood Of The Nations, Stalingrad, and Blind Rage, albums that have quickly ushered in vocalist Mark Tornillo as the 'new voice' of Accept. The latest platter though is also notable for the departures of longtime guitarist Herman Frank & drummer Stefan Schwarzmann, replaced by Uwe Lulis and Christopher Williams . Now, some might say that these changes have further diluted the classic Accept line-up, and that might be true with Wolf Hoffmann (Guitar) and Peter Baltes (bass) being the only original members still in the band, but The Rise of Chaos still sounds like vintage Accept, as they continue to deliver their brand of Teutonic heavy metal.

First couple of listens through, it's clear that The Rise of Chaos is not quite as strong as its three predecessors, but it's still a pretty potent album nonetheless. "Die By the Sword" kicks things off in fine fashion, led as always by Hoffman's unmistakable guitar tone and Tornillo's gravelly roar, and the next two, "Hole in the Head" and the title track are just as much fun and hit just as hard. I will say, the production of Andy Sneap is spot on here, the guitars sound huge, the rhythms thunderous, and Tornillo is upfront and in your face. "Koolaid", despite its lackluster title, is a decent moody rocker, but one of the weaker tunes here, quickly bested on the album by the raging power metal thumper "No Regrets" and the Balls to the Wall sibling "Analog Man". "What's Done is Done" has some great riffing from Hoffman & Lulis as well as a catchy hook, and "Carry the Weight" is another raging speedster again helped by Sneap's expert production, one of the strongest tracks here and a complete headbanger with some sensational guitar playing. The band save their big, majestic, epic sounding track for last in the form of "Race to Extinction" filled with mighty guitar harmonies and Tornillo's soaring vocals.

In the end, The Rise of Chaos is another strong release from the current incarnation of Accept. Time will tell if it becomes a future classic like its recent siblings, but it's enjoyable enough to easily recommend.

See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!


Track Listing
01. Die By The Sword
02. Hole In The Head
03. The Rise Of Chaos
04. Koolaid
05. No Regrets
06. Analog Man
07. What's Done Is Done
08. Worlds Colliding
09. Carry The Weight
10. Race To Extinction

Added: August 15th 2017
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1982
Language: english

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» SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews:

Accept: The Rise of Chaos
Posted by Steven Reid, SoT Staff Writer on 2017-08-14 18:33:45
My Score:

Since Mark Tornillo entered the fray to finally allow Accept to move on without Udo Dirkschneider, the band's star has been on an ever rising trajectory, Blood Of The Nations, Stalingrad and Blind Rage reaping almost universal acclaim. The addition of the American ex-T.T.-Quick frontman empowering the band to reclaim their signature sound without ever quite repeating themselves.

The Rise Of Chaos marks the band's fourth album since their 2010 return and as is often the way with Accept it heralds in a new line up, drummer Christopher Williams and ex-Grave Digger guitarist Uwe Lulis the latest to join the fray. In truth though, with lead guitar man Herman Frank and bassist Peter Baltes the writing hub of the team, the reshuffle makes little impact, Chaos finding Accept sounding as they almost always have: mighty riffs, screamed vocals, pulsating drums and chanting choruses everywhere you turn. Instead of focusing on historical, world changing events to get their message across, ironically as Accept use a decades old blueprint, The Rise Of Chaos is an album about the here and now, the ever changing world and the wrapped up piece of shit it's fast becoming. The title track's purpose is clear through it's name, Hoffman in full fire fret glory peeling out riff after mighty riff and pinning it all in place with a searing solo. In truth it's maybe not quite as pointed, sharp and lethal as most of the band's recent output, but considering it's still better than the vast majority of metal acts could ever hope for, to be overly critical would be churlish.

Ready to split opinions however is "Koolaid", a song referencing the Jonestown Massacre and doing so in a serious, sensitive, hard hitting fashion and yet the trademark gang vocal on the 'Don't drink the Koolaid' chorus still somehow sounds a little flippant. That however doesn't stop it from sticking in the mind for hours after it's finished spinning. The theme of "Analog Man" on the other hand is an oft visited one, and something many of us of a certain age can probably relate to, the 'digital world' often a cold, clinical, emotionless place to reside. Here the hark to the past could have been a standout track from Russian Roulette, the gargantuanly chanted chorus thoroughly irresistible. And really that's the way TROC rolls, ten mighty metal monsters refusing to be tamed by time, fashion, opinion, or even, on this occasion, a mid-paced tempo changer. And it works, "Race To Distinction" driving its thunderously driven message home, "Die By The Sword", where Tornillo illustrates a healthy high end scream, the pound and pummel you expect from this lot, while "What's Done Is Done" once again proves that if you need a rigid riff and killer chorus, Hoffman and Baltes are your men.

You could argue, and some already are, that The Rise Of Chaos isn't quite up to the standard of Accept's recent output, but with such a high bar to hurdle, to expect the occasional refusal was always going to be realistic. That said, if there's a better out and out Teutonic metal album released in 2017, then it'll be a hell of a record. The Rise Of Chaos? You better believe it!



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