This is the latest release by Udo Dirkschneider and his band. The former Accept lead singer released 4 albums after his departure from Accept only to return to the band in 1993 (after very intense pressure from the fans!!!) and enjoy further success with 3 more studio releases. The final goodbye to the fans was a killer double live disc Access All Areas (The Final Chapter in North America) released in 1998. Udo Dirkschneider then reformed U.D.O. with Accept drummer Stefan Kaufman switching to guitar (his first instrument). With two of the three main songwriters from Accept, everything was in place. Subsequent releases have all been solid ones and served to keep the spirit of Accept alive. This release is no exception, a solid album with a wide mix of straight-up heavy metal. This is thick guitar power-chord metal that was a staple in the 80's and still continues to be heard in bands such as Hammerfall and Primal Fear. Udo's voice has to be one of the most unique voices in metal today and still sounds just as strong on this album as it always has. A razor-sharp rasp of a voice that provides the final touch to a very thick-muscular metal sound. They may not attract too many new fans with this album but it will sure please the die-hard ones.

The opening track Man And Machine is an instant classic with one of those memorable choruses that will get stuck in your head immediately!!!! A tribal-like drum beat sets the way for a pounding heavy almost military march type of song about the evils of technology (reminds me a bit of Metal Gods by Judas Priest). A solid chunky-heavy song with a very anthemic and very catchy chorus with great lead breaks in the middle. Another solid track, Private Eye is a good fast-paced rocker in the classic Accept style. One surprise is the track Dancing With An Angel, a nice(?) ballad featuring a duet with Doro Pesch of Doro fame. A far as metal ballads go, it's a pretty good one and Doro's voice sounds great. It's strange to hear Udo sing a very soft vocal style and then, as the emotion of the song gets more intense, his voice get more raspier and more nasty sounding!!!. An interesting song at least!!. Network Nightmare is a killer very fast paced track with awesome double-bass drumming (Power Metal at it's finest!!). I think this song is directed at the media and in particular, music video networks. I guess judging by the sound and looks of this band, (no cute boy toys here!!!) they would be a network nightmare!!.

Overall, there's nothing really new here as far as musical direction in this release, U.D.O. again delivers a solid album that will sure please the fans and keeps the spirit of Accept style heavy metal alive. U.D.O. seems to be a band that is very conscious of the fans and that the music is for the fans and that they are so much appreciated. Udo Dirkschneider and Stefan Kaufmann are both true metal warriors who keep charging ahead keeping the flame of True Metal alive.