Udo Dirkschneider
Encyclopedia
Udo Dirkschneider is a German
heavy metal
singer who is best known as the vocalist in German
heavy metal
band Accept
and later U.D.O.
After leaving Accept in 1987, Dirkschneider formed the band U.D.O.
. He has since reunited with Accept on occasion.
Recently, Dirkschneider made a guest appearance on Eurovision Song Contest
winner Lordi
's 2006 album, The Arockalypse
. Mr Lordi claims both "Don't Look Back" and "Blitz of Lightning" by U.D.O. as songs that changed his life in a Kerrang!
magazine article. He also makes a guest appearance in the music video for the song Shtil' (Штиль) by Russian heavy metal band Aria
.
Dirkschneider recorded lead vocals with NWOBHM
-band Raven
on their cover of "Born to Be Wild
" on a 1983 single
release. The song also appeared as B-side on "Break the Chain" from their album All for One. He is also famous for his duet rock ballad with Doro Pesch
, "Dancing with an Angel". On Wacken
2008 he performed live with Lordi
the song "They Only Come Out at Night".
The character Dark Schneider in the Japanese manga and anime series Bastard!!
is named after Dirkschneider.
Udo is well known for his unique voice, short stature, camouflage
clad image and short blond hair. Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach
pronounced him as having "the most metal name of all time."
song I Want Out
. U.D.O.
performed the rock ballad "Dancing with an Angel" with Doro Pesch
and the version of Accept
's Head Over Heels with Hammerfall
. He sang on Wacken 2008 live with Lordi
the song They Only Come Out At Night. He did guest vocals for a version of Aria's
song Shtil released on a compilation of the same title (the original version from album Himera does not feature Dirkschneider). He sang the lead vocals with the Raven
cover of Born to Be Wild
on a 1983.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
singer who is best known as the vocalist in German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Accept
Accept
Accept is a German heavy metal band from the town of Solingen, originally assembled by former vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and bassist Peter Baltes. Their beginnings can be traced back to the late 1960s...
and later U.D.O.
U.D.O.
U.D.O. is a German heavy metal band founded by lead singer Udo Dirkschneider in 1987.-1987–1992:After Udo Dirkschneider left Accept in 1987, a large fan community followed him to U.D.O....
After leaving Accept in 1987, Dirkschneider formed the band U.D.O.
U.D.O.
U.D.O. is a German heavy metal band founded by lead singer Udo Dirkschneider in 1987.-1987–1992:After Udo Dirkschneider left Accept in 1987, a large fan community followed him to U.D.O....
. He has since reunited with Accept on occasion.
Recently, Dirkschneider made a guest appearance on Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
winner Lordi
Lordi
Lordi is a Finnish hard rock/heavy metal band, formed in 1996 by the band's lead singer, songwriter and costume-designer, Mr. Lordi. The band is known for wearing monster masks and using pyrotechnics during concerts...
's 2006 album, The Arockalypse
The Arockalypse
The Arockalypse is the third studio album by the hard rock band Lordi. It features the hit single "Hard Rock Hallelujah", which won the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 for Finland. The album has sold triple platinum in Finland and gold in Sweden and Germany...
. Mr Lordi claims both "Don't Look Back" and "Blitz of Lightning" by U.D.O. as songs that changed his life in a Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
magazine article. He also makes a guest appearance in the music video for the song Shtil' (Штиль) by Russian heavy metal band Aria
Aria (band)
Aria is a Russian heavy metal band that was formed in 1985 in Moscow. Although it was not the first Soviet band to play Heavy music, Aria was the first to break through to mainstream media and commercial success. According to several public polls, Aria ranks among top 10 most popular Russian rock...
.
Dirkschneider recorded lead vocals with NWOBHM
New Wave of British Heavy Metal
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal was a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s, in Britain, and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. The movement developed as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black...
-band Raven
Raven (band)
Raven are an English heavy metal band associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. They had a hit with the single "On and On", and refer to their music as "athletic rock".-Formation:...
on their cover of "Born to Be Wild
Born to Be Wild
"Born to Be Wild" is a rock song written by Mars Bonfire and made famous by the Canadian-American rock band Steppenwolf. It is often used in popular culture to denote a biker appearance or attitude...
" on a 1983 single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
release. The song also appeared as B-side on "Break the Chain" from their album All for One. He is also famous for his duet rock ballad with Doro Pesch
Doro (musician)
Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
, "Dancing with an Angel". On Wacken
Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
2008 he performed live with Lordi
Lordi
Lordi is a Finnish hard rock/heavy metal band, formed in 1996 by the band's lead singer, songwriter and costume-designer, Mr. Lordi. The band is known for wearing monster masks and using pyrotechnics during concerts...
the song "They Only Come Out at Night".
The character Dark Schneider in the Japanese manga and anime series Bastard!!
Bastard!!
is a manga by Kazushi Hagiwara. It first appeared in Weekly Shōnen Jump, in 1988, and continues to be published irregularly today in Ultra Jump. Currently, it spans 26 volumes....
is named after Dirkschneider.
Udo is well known for his unique voice, short stature, camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
clad image and short blond hair. Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach is a Canadian heavy metal singer who achieved mainstream success as frontman of Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. Since his departure from Skid Row, he has had many television roles, acted within Broadway plays, and leads a successful solo career.-Early life:Bach was born Sebastian...
pronounced him as having "the most metal name of all time."
Studio albums
- Accept (1979)
- I'm a RebelI'm a RebelI'm a Rebel is the second album by the heavy metal band Accept, recorded in 1979 and released in 1980 . It was the first of three consecutive Accept records to utilize Dirk Steffens as producer. The album finds Accept continuing to search for their musical direction, experimenting with a more...
(1980) - Breaker (1981)
- Restless and Wild (1982)
- Balls to the WallBalls to the WallBalls to the Wall is the fifth album by the German metal band Accept. European label Lark Records released the album in December 1983, but its US release was delayed until a month later as to not compete with the band's then-current album Restless and Wild, which had arrived in the US in early 1983...
(1983) - Metal HeartMetal HeartMetal Heart is a 1985 release by German heavy metal band Accept.Although the group had recorded before at Dierks-Studios, this was the first album produced by Dieter Dierks himself. This album was a cautious attempt to crack the lucrative American market with more accessible songcraft and emphasis...
(1985) - Russian Roulette (1986)
- Objection OverruledObjection Overruled (album)Objection Overruled is the 1993 reunion album by German heavy metal band Accept, the first to feature Udo Dirkschneider on lead vocals since 1986's Russian Roulette...
(1993) - Death RowDeath Row (album)Death Row is a 1994 album release by German heavy metal band Accept.It was recorded at Roxx Studios.Stefan Kaufmann was still the official drummer for Accept, but drums on "Bad Habits Die Hard" and "Prejudice" are by Stefan Schwarzmann according to the liner notes...
(1994) - PredatorPredator (album)Predator is the eleventh studio album release by German heavy metal band Accept. It was released in 1996, produced by Michael Wagener and recorded at 16th Ave. Sound Studios, Nashville, TN...
(1996)
Live albums
- Staying a LifeStaying a LifeStaying a Life is a double live album by Accept. It was recorded in Osaka, Japan in 1985. It was released in 1990, shortly after the band's first breakup...
(Live, 1990) - Live In Japan (Live, 1992)
- All Areas - WorldwideAll Areas - WorldwideAll Areas – Worldwide is a double live album by Accept. It was released in Japan and U.S.A. under the title The Final Chapter in 1998....
(Live, 1997) - The Final Chapter (Live, 1998)
Studio albums
- Animal HouseAnimal House (U.D.O. album)Animal House is the 1987 debut album from U.D.O. after Udo Dirkschneider's departure from Accept. It was recorded August-October 1987 at Dierks Studios, Cologne.The performance of the song "Lay Down the Law" is credited to Accept and U.D.O.....
(1987) - Mean Machine (1988)
- Faceless WorldFaceless WorldFaceless World is U.D.O.'s third album. It was recorded and mixed at Dierks Studios, Cologne from October 1989 to January 1990.-Track listing:# "Heart of Gold" - 5:00# "Blitz of Lightning" - 4:23# "System of Life" - 4:12# "Faceless World" - 6:31...
(1990) - TimebombTimebomb (album)Timebomb is U.D.O.'s fourth album. It was recorded and mixed at Dierks Studios, Cologne from November 1990 to February 1991. This album is the band's most brutal, following a light approach on Faceless World.The band were aided by Deaffy on lyrics...
(1991) - Solid (1997)
- No LimitsNo Limits (U.D.O. album)No Limits is U.D.O.'s sixth album. It was recorded and mixed by Stefan Kaufmann at ROXX Studio, Pulheim.The album includes a new recording of "I'm a Rebel" from Accept's album of the same title. "Love Machine" is a Supermax cover...
(1998) - HolyHoly (U.D.O. album)Holy is U.D.O.'s seventh album. It was recorded and mixed by Stefan Kaufmann at ROXX Studio, Pulheim and is the first album to feature guitarist Igor Gianola, who had played with Ronni Le Tekrø in Wild Willy's Gang...
(1999) - Man And MachineMan and Machine (album)Man and Machine is U.D.O.'s eighth studio album. Since their last studio effort, U.D.O. had released the live album Live from Russia in 2001.The album was recorded at Roxx Studio, Pulheim from September 2001 to January 2002....
(2002) - ThunderballThunderball (U.D.O. album)Thunderball is U.D.O.'s ninth studio album. Since their last studio effort, U.D.O. released the DVD Nailed To Metal and an accompanying live CD entitled Nailed To Metal - The Missing Tracks in 2003....
(2004) - Mission No. XMission No. XMission No. X is U.D.O.'s tenth studio album. It was recorded at Roxx Studio, Pulheim.The drummer Lorenzo Milani has been replaced by Francesco Jovino between their last release and this one.- Track listing :# "The Embarkation" - 1:30...
(2005) - MastercutorMastercutorMastercutor is the eleventh album by heavy metal act U.D.O.. It was released on May 18, 2007.The album title, according to Udo Dirkschneider, "is a shortened version of 'master executor.' He is the host of a stupid talk show, game show or a reality show like the ones we have on TV." -Track...
(2007) - DominatorDominator (U.D.O. album)-Charts:Album-Credits:*Udo Dirkschneider: vocals*Stefan Kaufmann: guitar*Igor Gianola: guitar*Fitty Wienhold: bass*Francesco Jovino: drums...
(2009) - Rev-Raptor (2011)
Live albums
- Live From Russia (2001)
- Nailed To Metal - The Missing Tracks (2003)
Singles/EPs
- They Want War (1988)
- Heart Of Gold (1990)
- Faceless World (1990)
- Two Faced Woman (1997)
- Independence Day (1997)
- Lovemachine (1998)
- Dancing With An Angel (2002)
- 24/724/7 (EP)-Credits:*Udo Dirkschneider: Vocals*Stefan Kaufmann: Guitar*Igor Gianola: Guitar*Fitty Wienhold: Bass Guitar*Francesco Jovino – Drums...
EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(2005) - The Wrong Side Of MidnightThe Wrong Side of Midnight (EP)-Track listing:# "The Wrong Side of Midnight" # "The Wrong Side of Midnight" # "Streets of Sin"# "Man a King Ruler"# "Cry Soldier Cry" -Credits:*Udo Dirkschneider: Vocals*Stefan Kaufmann: Guitar...
EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(2007) - Infected (2009)
- Leatherhead (2011)
DVDs
- Nailed To Metal - The Complete History (2003)
- Thundervision (2004)
- Mastercutor Alive (2008)
Duets
In the year 1999 he recorded the HelloweenHelloween
Helloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
song I Want Out
I Want Out
"I Want Out" is a song by the German heavy metal band Helloween from the album Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt. 2, that was released as a single in 1988....
. U.D.O.
U.D.O.
U.D.O. is a German heavy metal band founded by lead singer Udo Dirkschneider in 1987.-1987–1992:After Udo Dirkschneider left Accept in 1987, a large fan community followed him to U.D.O....
performed the rock ballad "Dancing with an Angel" with Doro Pesch
Doro (musician)
Dorothee Pesch , popularly known as Doro Pesch or Doro, is a female rock vocalist, formerly of the German heavy metal band Warlock ....
and the version of Accept
Accept
Accept is a German heavy metal band from the town of Solingen, originally assembled by former vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and bassist Peter Baltes. Their beginnings can be traced back to the late 1960s...
's Head Over Heels with Hammerfall
HammerFall
HammerFall is a power metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was formed in 1993 by ex-Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak.- Early days :...
. He sang on Wacken 2008 live with Lordi
Lordi
Lordi is a Finnish hard rock/heavy metal band, formed in 1996 by the band's lead singer, songwriter and costume-designer, Mr. Lordi. The band is known for wearing monster masks and using pyrotechnics during concerts...
the song They Only Come Out At Night. He did guest vocals for a version of Aria's
Aria (band)
Aria is a Russian heavy metal band that was formed in 1985 in Moscow. Although it was not the first Soviet band to play Heavy music, Aria was the first to break through to mainstream media and commercial success. According to several public polls, Aria ranks among top 10 most popular Russian rock...
song Shtil released on a compilation of the same title (the original version from album Himera does not feature Dirkschneider). He sang the lead vocals with the Raven
Raven (band)
Raven are an English heavy metal band associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. They had a hit with the single "On and On", and refer to their music as "athletic rock".-Formation:...
cover of Born to Be Wild
Born to Be Wild
"Born to Be Wild" is a rock song written by Mars Bonfire and made famous by the Canadian-American rock band Steppenwolf. It is often used in popular culture to denote a biker appearance or attitude...
on a 1983.