U.D.O.
Steelhammer

June 2013
Released: 2013, AFM Records
Rating: 5.0/5
Reviewer: Celtic Bob

Udo Dirkschneider is back with a new U.D.O. album. For this album he has lost his longtime guitarists Stefan Kaufman and Igor Gianola. Bassist Fitty Wienhold is still in the band as is drummer Francesco Jovino. With the absence of Kaufman, Wienhold has stepped in as Dirschneider’s writing partner. STEELHAMMER is the perfect progression from 2011’s REV-RAPTOR album.



Opening the album is the title track; “Steelhammer” which begins with a killer guitar riff then the drums kick in moments before Udo starts to sing the opening line; “Bang your head against the wall...”. A fitting opening for this Metal Masterpiece. It doesn’t stop there although “Cry Of A Nation” may be a slight bit slower but full on again by the first single “Metal Machine” begins. The next track “Basta Ya” is sung in Spanish an full on heavy. Up next is “Heavy Rain” which is a huge surprise and somewhat of a departure for U.D.O. Udo’s vocals on this track are fantastic and he pulls off this ballad extremely well. His rough voice really compliments the piano in a way you’d never expect. Simply amazing! The remaining two thirds of the album is more up tempo and fast Metal songs that you’d expect from U.D.O.



With the addition of the 2 new guitarists a fresh outlook has been put back into the band's sound. The album sounds energetic and fun, the way it should be. STEELHAMMER is destined to be a Classic, it is THE greatest album of their career bar none.