Objection Overruled

Accept's ninth album uses to be an overlooked, almost forgotten gem, and maybe understandably so, released as it was amidst the rise of the grunge scene, which gave no quarter to neither traditional metal music, nor metal music at all. There was also the fact that you could call this one a comeback album, because after a run of great or at least very good albums, the well had dried up after Udo's departure and the previous Eat The Heat had been a disappointment, so he had come back to the fold and started what could be tagged as Accept's second phase. The only drawback is that this phase was not meant to last, and certainly wasn't destined for glory, because the next two records, Deathrow and Predator, although enjoyable, did not live up to the expectations, and after a live album the band would disband only to resurface again in 2010 and begin their current and succesful third reincarnation. And I do think all this helps to Objection Overruled (and the other two albums from this phase) being buried so deep into the ground of Accept's discography and their fans collective memory.

But the album itself is very good and brings back great memories. After having listened to all the classics from some compilations I had borrowed back at school (those were the days when we still traded tapes and every single one of them was treasured and played until it was rendered useless), this one was, much likely, the first whole album by Accept I listened to, and also the first one I owned, if memory serves.

It is not without its flaws, mind you, and starting with the wrongs I must admit that a song like Donation, Accept's attempt to play a heavier AC/DC kind of tune, is a certificate filler and prevents the album from having a better score. Apart from that, not too many complaints. Maybe some moments are less inspired than others but this is an album I like to go back to quite often, as much as I like to revisit their more classic albums. And that is a very good statement about how good this album is.

Despite the above mentioned Donation, the germans unleash their better stuff in the second half of the album, in my opinion, although the entire album is pretty solid, and I think Accept had never sounded heavier and faster than in tracks like the closing one, This One's For You, at least since the days of Restless And Wild or Balls To The Walls. Same can be said about what is likely to be the heaviest song on the album, Sick, Dirty And Mean, where Kaufmann punishes his drum kit like a man possessed and Wolf Hoffmann leaves another proof of his guitar wizardry with a guitar solo which is not within everybody's reach. This track comes, sharing some kind of feedback, after the album's ballad, Amamos La Vida, which may sport an unnecesary spanish name, but delivers, and again, Wolf's solo is worthy of mention. I have the feeling that the guys, after what was listened on Eat The Heat, wanted to make a point here, focusing only on heavy stuff, and even Amamos La Vida, being a ballad, is a heavy one. So it is no surprise that the rest of the album is more or less as heavy as the already mentioned tunes. Only the boring Donation and maybe I Don't Wanna Be Like You are a below par in that department, but the latter is also very good and features another killer guitar solo. The rest range from heavy hitters like the opening title track or Slaves To Metal, to euro metal borderlining on power metal stuff, like All Or Nothing. Peter Baltes does his thing with his usual talent and Udo, well, what else could be said about him. You cannot picture him singing without thinking he's leaving every ounce of his determination in every single word.

And I wanted to save Just By My Own for last. I love this one. Some think this is some kind of a self indulgence moment courtesy of Hoffmann. I don't know and I don't care. If he is capable of pulling something like this off is because he can. Nuff said. And while not the best song on the album, I think this is the best Accept instrumental I can think of, sort of classic meets metal, and the lead guitar work is once again otherwordly. This song alone worths all the money you could spent on this album.

As I said, not their best album, but definitely worthy of more attention. Tons of attitude and a sincere display of classic german steel as honest as it could get is to be found here. And the best was yet to come!


Citizen Of Glass
https://citizenofglass1976.blogspot.com/