Accept

Accept, the German heavy metal titans, roared onto the scene in Solingen in 1976, forged from the ashes of earlier projects like Band X. Founded by guitarist Wolf Hoffmann, vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, and bassist Peter Baltes, the band`s influence on speed and thrash metal is undeniable, solidifying their place in the burgeoning German heavy metal scene of the early to mid-1980s.

While numerous lineup changes have seen all but Hoffmann depart—he remains the sole constant member across their extensive discography—Accepts legacy remains untarnished. Their breakthrough arrived with 1983s Balls to the Wall, achieving US and Canadian gold certification and cementing their status with the iconic title track. The band`s seventeen studio albums, five live albums, and nine compilations represent a vast catalog, totaling over 17 million units sold worldwide as of 2024.

Accept`s history is punctuated by periods of both intense activity and hiatus. Their first split in 1989, shortly after Eat the Heat (their only album with David Reece on vocals), saw a reformation in 1992 followed by another split in 1997. A brief reunion in 2005 ultimately led to a more permanent return in 2009, with former T.T. Quick frontman Mark Tornillo taking the reins from Dirkschneider. This lineup has produced six highly successful albums: Blood of the Nations, Stalingrad, Blind Rage, The Rise of Chaos, Too Mean to Die, and Humanoid (2024). These releases have propelled Accept back into the German top ten charts, reigniting their fervent fanbase.