Earlier this week I took a look at The Paradigm Shift, a modern classic from Nu Metal legends Korn that brought new life to the band. Today’s review covers an iconic metal album from one of the genre’s founding fathers. An album that happens to turn 35 years old this year, and one in which still contains great power & nostalgia. To make things special, this review marks the first time I’ve covered the band in question, and I’m ashamed, cause holy hell are they good! So sit back, loosen your belt a little, and take a look at my review for Accept’s 1983 hit, Balls To The Wall. Let’s begin!
Background
The early 80s were a smashing success for Accept. Crafting high quality records, the band was garnering popularity in both the United States & their native Europe. However, just because they were getting more popular didn’t mean they would rest on their laurels, as the band would embark on what is perhaps their most ambitious album to date. Recorded at Dierks Studios in Cologne, Germany from July to August of 1983, and released on December the 5th of that year (It would come out a year later in the U.S. so it wouldn’t compete with their previous record), Balls To The Wall is one of the most iconic releases in Accept’s history. In addition to the usual members on instruments & vocals, the services of Wolf Hoffman’s wife Gaby (Who went under the pen-name of “Deaffy” on the album’s credits) were called upon. The end result was a record that was incredibly headbang inducing, while at the same time touched upon subject material that was somewhat seen as controversial in the early 80s....but you’ll have to read on for details.
Reception for Balls To The Wall was pretty damn high for it’s time, and today as well. The album marked the first time they would chart in the United States, reaching no. 74 on the Billboard 200, and was also their first release to chart in Germany, reaching no. 59 on their respective chart. Canadian critic Martin Popoff loved the complexity of the record’s lyrics combined with the clean and restrained riffing, which gave the release a "subtle sophistication" and a "singular purpose". Allmusic writer Eduardo Rivadavia refers to it as an "essential heavy metal album", only "slightly more melodic" and "less gritty" than Restless and Wild and considers the title track "an irresistible, fist-pumping masterpiece that came to epitomize the modern, slow-marching metal anthem as it became known." Sputnikmusic contributor Eduard Pickman Derby enjoyed the versatility of "explosive front-man" Udo's vocals, as well as the "simple, heavy and fist pumping" riffs of Hoffmann and Frank's guitars, which made Balls to the Wall "an excellent metal record". Finally, Pierre Bégin of the online magazine The Metal Crypt simply said that the album "is simply pure heavy metal", with "no weak tracks, and a masterpiece".
Balls To The Wall was not only a good album in it’s own right, but also acted as a source of inspiration for many other bands. Ty Tabor of King's X was a fan of the album and its production, saying it "set a new bar for what heavy rock could sound like on a record". Doro Pesch of Warlock and Kai Hansen of Helloween were fans of the band and consider Accept among their main musical influences. To conclude, Swedish Power Metal legends Hammerfall said they recorded their album Renegade in 2000 with Michael Wagener because they had Balls to the Wall in mind, and would even record "Head Over Heels" with ex-lead vocalist Udo Dirkschneider on the 2008 album Masterpieces.
Basic Description
Fist pumping Heavy Metal.....that’s quite progressive at the same time.
No, I’m not talking about Prog music. I actually talking about what Balls To The Wall covers. You will be raising the devil horns and banging your head during the entire experience, there’s no denying that! However, thanks in part to the album’s lyricist, some of the subject’s covered are rather atypical, especially in the early 80s. Systemic oppression, politics, and even homosexuality (More on that below) are covered on some of the tracks. Though this led to the minor controversy, it simultaneously lends itself to being one of Accept’s smartest & most socially conscious records to date at that time. Even today, Balls To The Wall is widely held up as one of the pinnacles of early 80s metal, and Heavy Metal at large.
Best Track
Bit of a tie between the title track, and the tragic tale of Love Child. The former became a staple for Accept at their live events, and it shows. A rhythmic guitar beat that’s heavy but not overwhelming, drumming that almost comes across like a mild march, and Udo Dirkschneider’s patented vocal work come together to form one of Heavy Metal’s most essential anthems. The later comes across like a light Speed Metal thriller: chronicling the turmoils of a teenager’s emerging homosexuality, Love Child is a considerably dark and grimmer song than Balls To The Wall. It’s not uncomfortable by any means, but as you listen to the tune, you sympathize with the teenager in question. Pretty damn impressive for the early 80s if you ask me.
Balls To The Wall
Love Child
Worst Track
Really the only bad thing about Balls To The Wall isn’t with the music itself, but the critics. More specifically, the “Gay Metal” controversy that cropped up when the album first came out in the states. Though it was minor, many in the early 80s claimed that due to certain songs Accept was trying to gain favor with the Gay community. Though not trying to gain favor, the band definitely has songs that leaned more in that direction. Even today there’s still a couple homophobes that might call the album out because of this. Just raise your middle finger high to anyone who bashes this record because of the extra sparkles.
Other
If you’re curious about this album, then click on the link below:
Balls To The Wall
Overall Impression & Rating
Balls To The Wall hits the nail on the head in every which way. From the production, to the instrumentation, to the vocals, and even the lyrics, it really shows that you can simultaneously be nice & heavy, while at the same time pushing the envelope as to what you can sing about. A cornerstone of 80s metal, there’s a reason you still hear tales about it in 2018.
Balls To The Wall gets a 10 out of 10. A metal classic from the heyday of the 80s!
So that was Balls To The Wall. Iconic & well deserving of praise both in the past & present, if you are on your way to becoming a metalhead, it should be one of the first records you listen to. So see you around later next week, when I’ll take a quick look at one of the most iconic PC shooters of all time. Until then, whether you’re man or woman.....appreciate the balls you have!
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