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U.D.O.
www.udo-online.de
I can admit this is the first time I've listened to U.D.O. or in fact any of Udo Dirkschneider’s work and well... it's been a rather awkward affair. Despite hearing much praise of this band I was disappointed to find I just couldn’t get into it. Instrumentally it’s a good album, with a very varied sound throughout but often lacking in energy, but not necessarily speed. However it wasn’t the music that let the album down for me. Dirkschneider's vocal performance for the most part is what I imagine Helloween's Andi Deris would sound like if he had a roll of barbed wire lodged in his throat. It’s high but raspy. This isn't good vocal raspiness though, more nails on a blackboard than an empowering Heavy Metal scream. It works from time to time with the intro to ‘Speed Demon’ being a good example but why he uses it for most of his singing is beyond me. He has a whole host of good styles which he showcases at various points throughout the album so why he’s picked the this one as his main voice is baffling. The track ‘Devil’s Rendezvous’ is a perfect example of his better singing and brilliant music, while its funky guitars and sleazy feel don’t quite fit with the rest of the album it’s personally the best song on the CD. Another of the better pieces on the album comes in the form of ‘Infected’ - whilst not exactly groundbreaking it’s catchy. There are a lot of catchy riffs and melodies throughout the record but the vocal delivery, and especially lyrics, are often so silly that it comes across more parodic of Heavy Metal with every listen. Whilst I’ve said a lot about the vocals, that’s because they’re the thing that stood out. Whilst the instrumentalists are all good in their own way, the drumming didn’t really add enough. Stefan Kauffmann and Igor Gianola’s guitar work is fairly impressive but exactly what you’d expect from an album such as this. The riffs are neat and concise but not interesting enough to be memorable. If you like any of Udo’s previous work there’s a good chance you’ll like this but personally I’d give it a miss.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
AFM Records
Album
DOMINATOR
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Review by Nicholas Dishington
RUNNING TIME:
49:45
RELEASE DATE:
24th August 2009
TRACK LISTING
1) The Bogeyman
2) Dominator
3) Black and White
4) Infected
5) Heavy Metal Heaven
6) Doom Ride
7) Stillness of Time
8) Devil's Rendezvous
9) Speed Demon
10) Whispers in the Dark
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Germany
"There are a lot of catchy riffs and melodies throughout the record but the vocal delivery, and especially lyrics, are often so silly that it comes across more parodic of Heavy Metal with every listen."