L-R:
Andrey Smirnov (guitars), Udo Dirkschneider (vocals), Sven Dirkschneider (drums),
Fabian “Dee” Dammers (guitars), Peter Baltes (bass)
Photo credit: Linda Florin
40 years of Balls To The Wall: This milestone anniversary of ACCEPT’s iconic album simply couldn’t remain uncelebrated by DIRKSCHNEIDER, U.D.O.’s incarnation to pay tribute to the musical past of their frontman Udo Dirkschneider. Except for releasing two live albums, DIRKSCHNEIDER had never been a recording band, but that has changed today as they are releasing the reimagining of the mentioned cult album, titled Balls To The Wall Reloaded, through Reigning Phoenix Music. Gathering a top-notch selection of guest vocalists consisting of old companions but also of musicians from newer generations, the re-recording highlights the unbroken influence of the album on both old and young metalheads worldwide.
To celebrate, DIRKSCHNEIDER are not only performing the classic album in its entirety during their current European tour. Today, the group have even released a music video for the track “London Leatherboys,” which they could win no one better than British metal icon Biff Byford, the singer of SAXON, for. Complementing Udo as if it was the original version, Byford puts his stamp on the much-loved hit song with his unmistakable vocals. The accompanying video takes fans on the road and gives them an insight into DIRKSCHNEIDER’s ongoing Balls To The Wall anniversary tour, which also cements the continuous passion for Balls The Wall, leading the group to many sold out and packed places across the continent.
“The re-recording of “London Leatherboys” with Biff Byford was something very special. Biff and I have a long history together – I’ve already been rocking the stages with him back in the 80s. It was great to work together again on this song. Biff’s powerful voice brings a new intensity to this classic, and it feels like we’re reviving our own heavy metal history,” states ‘the voice’ himself, Udo Dirkschneider.
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7wuNu04vH0
Stream/purchase BTTWR: https://dirkschneider.rpm.link/bttwrPR
“Balls To The Wall Reloaded” – Track Listing:
01. Balls To The Wall [feat. Joakim Brodén of SABATON]
02. London Leatherboys [feat. Biff Byford of SAXON]
03. Fight It Back [feat. Mille Petrozza of KREATOR]
04. Head Over Heels [feat. Nils Molin of DYNAZTY/AMARANTHE]
05. Losing More Than You’ve Ever Had [feat. Michael Kiske of HELLOWEEN]
06. Love Child [feat. Ylva Eriksson of BROTHERS OF METAL]
07. Turn Me On [feat. Danko Jones]
08. Losers And Winners [feat. Dee Snider of TWISTED SISTER]
09. Guardian Of The Night [feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens of KK’s PRIEST, formerly of JUDAS PRIEST]
10. Winter Dreams [feat. Doro Pesch]
Formats:
– CD-digipak + patch bundle [RPM EU excl.]
– CD-digipak
– jewelcase-CD
– various coloured 1LP vinyl (‘guardian of the night,’ ‘red hot marbled,’ ‘winter blue’)
– digital
More from “Balls To The Wall Reloaded”:
“Balls To The Wall [feat. Joakim Brodén]” OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRd-7LcK7OE
“Winter Dreams [feat. Doro Pesch]” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AxQKqzL_Fs
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This ambitious reinterpretation not only revitalises the original tracks but also emphasises their timeless impact on the metal genre. More than a revival, this project serves as a celebration of the album’s enduring legacy, enriched by the enthusiasm and contributions of some of metal’s most influential voices.
‘Balls To The Wall’ is a milestone of my career, of course. That’s why it was even more important to me to make the original songs shine in a new light without losing their initial essence. All guests have put their individual stamps on these classic tracks, and collaborating with such outstanding vocalists has moved them into a fresh and exciting dimension. The result is a powerful homage to all fans but also an invitation to the next generation to experience the songs not minorly passionate than I was when I recorded them back in the day. It’s a never-ending personal journey for me – “Balls To The Wall” will always be a part of me,” states Udo.
This reimagined Balls To The Wall is a fitting tribute to heavy metal history, proving that its power and influence remain as potent today as they were four decades ago.
DIRKSCHNEIDER live:
“Balls To The Wall” – 40th Anniversary Tour
w/ CROWNSHIFT, ALL FOR METAL
Presented by Contra Promotion & Metal Hammer
28.02.2025 DE Leipzig – Haus Auensee *LOW TICKETS*
01.03.2025 CZ Prague – SaSaZu *LOW TICKETS*
02.03.2025 HU Budapest – Barba Negra *UPGRADED*
04.03.2025 RO Bucharest – Quantic Club
06.03.2025 PL Kraków – Klub Studio
07.03.2025 PL Warsaw – Progresja
08.03.2025 LT Vilnius – Kablys
09.03.2025 EE Tallinn – Helitehas
10.03.2025 FI Helsinki – Kulttuuritalo
11.03.2025 FI Tampere – Tavara-asema
13.03.2025 NO Oslo – Rockefeller *LOW TICKETS*
14.03.2025 SE Gothenburg – Trädgår’n *LOW TICKETS*
16.03.2025 DE Berlin – Huxleys Neue Welt *LOW TICKETS*
17.03.2025 DE Frankfurt – Batschkapp *LOW TICKETS*
18.03.2025 BE Antwerp – Trix
19.03.2025 FR Paris – Le Trabendo *LOW TICKETS*
21.03.2025 ES Pamplona – Sala Totem *SOLD OUT*
22.03.2025 ES Madrid – Mon *SOLD OUT*
23.03.2025 ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz 2 *SOLD OUT*
25.03.2025 CH Pratteln – Konzertfabrik Z7
26.03.2025 DE Stuttgart – LKA Longhorn *SOLD OUT*
27.03.2025 DE Oberhausen – Turbinnhalle *LOW TICKETS*
28.03.2025 DE Hamburg – Große Freiheit 36 *SOLD OUT*
29.03.2025 DE Geiselwind – MusicHall *SOLD OUT*
30.03.2025 DE Geiselwind – MusicHall
08.04.2025 GR Athes – Fuzz Live Music Club *
09.04.2025 GR Thessaloniki – Principal Club Theater *
11.04.2025 TR Istanbul – IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş *
12.04.2025 BG Sofia – Hristo Botev Hall *
* DIRKSCHNEIDER only
28.06.2025 ES Barcelona – Rock Fest *NEW*
30.07. – 02.08.2025 DE Wacken – Wacken Open Air *SOLD OUT*
15. – 17.08.2025 CH Cudrefin (VD) – Rock The Lakes
“Hell, Fire And Steel” Tour
w/ SAXON
04.11.2025 UK Belfast – Ulster Hall
05.11.2025 IE Dublin – 3Olympia Theatre
07.11.2025 UK Manchester – O2 Apollo
08.11.2025 UK Sheffield – The Octagon Centre
09.11.2025 UK Glasgow – O2 Academy
11.11.2025 UK Newcastle – O2 City Hall
13.11.2025 UK Bristol – Beacon
14.11.2025 UK Wolverhampton – Civic Hall
15.11.2025 UK London – Eventim Apollo Hammersmith
16.11.2025 UK Cardiff – The Great Hall
Info & Tickets: https://udo-online.de/tourdates.html
DIRKSCHNEIDER are:
Udo Dirkschneider | vocals
Andrey Smirnov | guitar
Fabian “Dee” Dammers | guitar
Peter Baltes | bass
Sven Dirkschneider | drums
More on DIRKSCHNEIDER:
udo-online.com | Facebook: U.D.O. / Dirkschneider / Udo Dirkschneider
Instagram | X | YouTube | RPM
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About Reigning Phoenix Music
Founded in 2023, Reigning Phoenix Music is truly the 100% independently owned vision of music industry professional Gerardo Martinez and avionics and tech entrepreneur, Sven Bogner. The blueprint is to continue to help heavy metal, extreme and hard music thrive by partnering with an array of well-established acts, new talent, and iconic artists by offering best services and practices in the industry. RPM’s paramount goal is to help the artists amplify their music and talent to a winning formula for success. The label recently opened a new office in London, UK.
Don’t forget to subscribe to Reigning Phoenix Music on YouTube to stay updated and listen to “London Leatherboys [feat. Biff Byford]” along with other new tracks in the RPM New Releases playlist on Spotify. Subscribe here: https://rpm.link/spotifynewreleasesPR.
More on RPM:
reigningphoenixmusic.com | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube