U.D.O.’s Latest LP Lives Up To Its Title
- Philip Sayback
- August 27, 2023
- Music Reviews, News
- Atomic Fire Records, Metallica, Motorhead, U.D.O.
- 0 Comments
U.D.O. front man and namesake Udo Dirkschneider and his band mates have been notably busy in the past few years or so. In 2020, the band released its then latest album, We Are 1. Roughly a year later the band released a new live recording, Live in Bulgaria. Front man and band namesake Udo Dirkschenider then followed up that release with his own solo recording under the moniker Dirkschneider and The Old Gang, Arising the same year. Very shortly after its release, Dirkschneider and his U.D.O. band mates dropped U.D.O.’s then latest album, Game Over. Mere months later in early 2022, Dirkschneider released another solo release in his then new solo record, My Way. Now as 2023 nears its end, U.D.O. has dropped yet another new release in its brand new album, Touchdown. Released Friday through Atomic Fire Records, the 13-song record is another successful offering from the veteran metal outfit. Considering how busy Dirkschneider and company have been in recent years, that does not seem to have had much impact on the band and its product, as this record shows. The album’s musical arrangements are just as engaging and entertaining as ever. They will be discussed shortly. The lyrical themes that accompany the album’s musical content makes for its own interest and will be examined a little later. The record’s production rounds out its most important elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered they make Touchdown a fittingly titled new offering from one of hard rock and metal’s justifiably most respected acts.
Touchdown, the latest album from U.D.O., is a fittingly titled new offering from the veteran hard rock band. That is because from beginning to end, the 13-song record scores plenty of points. The record’s musical arrangements play a big role in that success. Throughout the course of the 54-minute album, the arrangements in question are largely familiar power metal style works much in the vein of its own works, those from Judas Priest, Saxon and so many others. At the same time though, the band also treads into some more modern, heavy waters at some points in the record. One of the points at which the band dips its feet into those waters comes late in the album’s run in ‘Living Hell.’ Honestly, Dirkschneider’s vocals here pair with the instrumentation in the verses to make for easy comparison to works from the likes of Motorhead. ‘The Flood,’ which comes earlier in the album’s run, lends itself to comparison to works from the likes of Metallica thanks to the tight guitar line featured in this son. More specifically, the guitar line in this song lends the work to comparison to works that Metallica has composed from the days of its self-titled album forward. ‘The Betrayer’ also finds the band taking on a more modern sound and style, this time all its own. As if all of this is not, the band even goes in a classical direction in its latest single, ‘Fight for the Right,’ which the band also dropped Friday. The blending of that classical power metal approach alongside the more traditional power metal approach and sound makes that song just as engaging and entertaining as the record’s other entries. All things considered here, the power metal and harder edged content that the band put together for this record’s body leaves no doubt as to the importance of the album’s musical arrangements. They collectively give listeners reason and then some to take in this record.
The musical arrangements featured throughout Touchdown are just one part of what makes the album worth hearing. The lyrical themes that accompany said content gives listeners even more reason to take in the record. The themes touch on familiar territory both for the band and in general. Case in point is the album’s lead single, ‘Forever Free.’ No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme upon its debut in June, but the lyrics made available hint at the presented message being one of individuality. Of living one’s own life and not just going along blindly with the masses. This is a time-honored theme within the rock community and proves just as accessible, engaging and entertaining here as in so many cases from other acts past and present. ‘Heroes Of Freedom’ takes the album’s lyrical themes in a totally different direction as it clearly pays tribute to the men who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War II and even more specifically, on D-Day on the beaches on Normandy, France. Those men are part of the last great generation, and their sacrifices really should never be forgotten. So, for the band to take the time to pay tribute to them here is so moving. On yet another note, the band seems to take on the COVID-19 pandemic in the album’s opener, ‘Isolation Man.’ Speaking more specifically, how governments forced people into isolation during the pandemic. As if taking on that topic is not enough, the album’s title track, which also closes out the record, is simply a tribute to the game of football (not soccer) according to Dirkschneider’s son, Sven, and to the band’s dedication to what it does. So herein is another change of pace that continues to show the diversity in the album’s lyrical themes. The band even openly protests war around the world in its latest single, ‘Fight For The Right.’ That is another familiar topic for rock acts throughout modern music history. Simply put, the lyrical themes featured throughout Touchdown do just as much to make the album engaging and entertaining as the record’s musical content. Collectively, that content scores plenty of points for the album.
Putting the final touch to the album’s presentation is its production. The production is so important to the album’s presentation because of its role in the record’s general aesthetic presentation. There is so much energy exuded through each song, and each is so intense in its overall sound and style. Thanks to the work that went into the production, the vocals and instrumentation are expertly balanced throughout each song. The result is the noted powerful energy and sound in each composition. The positive aesthetic impact of the work that went into balancing it all and in turn, making the album that much more enjoyable. When the positive impact of the production is considered along with the album’s content, the whole leaves no doubt that Touchdown lives up to its title.
Touchdown, the latest studio offering from U.D.O., is a strong new record from the veteran hard rock act and its namesake front man. Its success is due in no small part to its musical arrangements. Once again, the band’s power metal prowess is on full display throughout the arrangements. At the same time, the band also treads into some more modern hard rock waters with the whole making for plenty of engagement and entertainment. The lyrical themes presented with the album’s musical arrangements add to the album’s enjoyment in their own right. That is because of their own diversity and accessibility. The record’s production puts the finishing touch to the presentation, ensuring a positive aesthetic impact for listeners. Each item examined here is important in its own way to the whole of the album. All things considered they make the album a presentation that definitely is a touchdown.
Touchdown is available now through AFM Records. More information on the album is available along with all of U.D.O.’s latest news at:
U.D.O. just finished the latest leg of its tour in support of Touchdown. The tour’s current schedule, which picks back up next month, is noted below.
U.D.O. / DIRKSCHNEIDER Live:
9/16/2023 Beast Of Rocks @ Stadthalle – Tuttlingen, DE
10/07/2023 Keep It True Rising III @ Posthalle – Würzburg, DE *
10/22/2023 Wildstyle & Tattoo @ Tabakfabrik – Linz, AT
10/29/2023 Wildstyle & Tattoo @ Messezentrum – Salzburg, AT
5/10-11/2024 Rock in Rautheim – Braunschweig, DE
*as DIRKSCHNEIDER
More information on Touchdown and U.D.O.’s new tour dates is available along with all of U.D.O.’s latest news at:
Website: https://www.udo-online.de
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/udoonline
