DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG
"Babylon" (Reigning
Phoenix Music Gmbh;
2025)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Udo Dirkschneider has been so many places, and in so many bands, and in so many configurations, that sometimes it's hard to track him down. Is he in Accept? U.D.O.? Dirkschneider? Has he formed yet another group? Who the hell knows? And who the hell cares? As long as Udo's out there still making music, I couldn't care less about what the current moniker is. I just want to hear some ass-kicking rock'n'roll!
And that brings us, of course, to Dirkschneider & The Old Gang's "Babylon," a twelve-track collection of raging metal tunes, soaring ballads and the pièce de résistance, the voice of Udo Dirkschneider.
Breaking down "Babylon" comes down to (basically) this: It's 60% fist-pumping heavy metal tunes, 25% heartfelt ballads (especially "Strangers in Paradise") and 15% songs that would be better classified as "rock" instead of heavy metal ("Dead Man's Hand"). Of course, it all works. From the gentle ballads ("Strangers in Paradise," "Blindfold," to the harder-edged rock tunes ("Dead Man's Hand," "Beyond the End of Time") to the heavy metal smashers ("The :aw of the Madman," "Metal Sons").
Of course, Udo's the star here, as well he should be. But let's not forget The Old Gang, a group of legendary musicians that Udo has played with before including: Peter Baltes (bass, vocals, Accept/U.D.O./Dirkschneider), Stefan Kaufmann (guitar, Accept/U.D.O.), Mathias Dieth (guitar, Sinner/U.D.O.), Sven Dirkschneider (drums, U.D.O./Dirkschneider) and Manuela Bibert (vocals - mostly featured on the ballads here). They deliver on every level, putting the emotion in the slower tunes and putting down the hammer on the heavier ones.
Fans of any of Udo's work, from Accept to U.D.O. to Dirkschneider and whatever else is out there, will find "Babylon" another perfect addition to their collection. Here's to looking forward for more music featuring Udo Dirkschneider in the future!
For more information, check out https://datog.de/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
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Copyright © 2025 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
