• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

This new single by U.D.O. is an appetizer for the upcoming new full length "Mission No. X" which will be released in October. The single features four non-album tracks, although "Mean Streets" will be on the new album, so I assume they include this one as a "non-album track" because it's a single version. The back cover mentions an enhanced part with multimedia extras, but all I could find there were JPEGs of the single's cover in various sizes, so don't get too excited about that part.

U.D.O., much like Accept, have always been about good, straightforward and catchy heavy metal, and this release is right up that alley - nothing more, nothing less. Right after the first listen I already had a few bits of each songs stuck in my head, thanks in great part to some catchy and sometimes pretty repetitive choruses and/or lyrics, plus some very cool guitar parts (check out Mathias Dieth's solo on "Hardcore Lover", for instance.) If the title track and "Mean Streets" are any indication, the new album should be pretty good and without surprises. I think U.D.O. have found a working formula for themselves and simply stick to it - these guys have nothing to prove anymore. In other words, there's nothing earth-shattering or some "new U.D.O. sound" to be found here - it's good old school heavy metal à la U.D.O. and no time is wasted proving that, what with the first few notes of opener "24/7" being a trip 20 years back in time.

U.D.O. fans will find something to like here, but this probably won't win them much new fans, although the single "Mean Streets" if it gets any decent airplay, could result in a few people checking out the band, as it has a little commercial vibe to it. Personally, I've long accepted the fact that U.D.O. is not about to blow me away with the next big sound, but the material always makes me rock. A 20+ minutes single that I can play on repeat for hours without getting tired of it is proof of that.