UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER: WOLF HOFFMANN's Claim That I Wasn't Interested In ACCEPT Reunion Is 'Wrong'

On June 17, Rustyn Rose of Metalholic.com conducted an interview with former ACCEPT and current U.D.O. frontman Udo Dirkschneider. You can now listen to the chat in the YouTube clip below. A couple of excerpts follow.

On why he thinks he is constantly being asked about the possibility of him rejoining ACCEPT:

Udo: "I did a reunion back in the '90s with ACCEPT. We did three albums 'Objection Overruled', 'Death Row' and 'Predator' but in the end, it [didn't] work out. They did the same mistake with 'Predator' they tried to be too commercial, so that was already a point when [it was clear] the reunion [wasn't going to] work out. In between, in 2005, we did, not a reunion, but just special festival shows in Europe. But there was no thinking to do a real reunion with a studio album or something like that. [And then] in 2009, they phoned me up and [asked me] if I'm interested to do a reunion. [chuckles] And then I said, 'Guys, this is a very hard thing for me. I mean, I would have to cut down U.D.O. I mean, U.D.O. is quite successful. This is not so easy.' So I said, 'OK, if I do a reunion with you guys, then we have to talk about a lot of things' . . . So I said, 'OK, there is one main point for me. If I do this reunion and this reunion doesn't work out again, I cannot come out for the third time with U.D.O. Then I have to continue under the name ACCEPT.' And Wolf [Hoffmann, ACCEPT guitarist] has the rights to the name; that's another story. So then he said 'No,' he didn't wanna do this. And I said, 'OK, sorry. Then forget everything. Then I continue with U.D.O. I wish you good luck. And bye-bye.' That is the whole story. But what I don't like about Wolf at the moment is that he is telling in all the interviews that I was not interested to do this reunion and this is wrong."

On the current lineup of ACCEPT (featuring singer Mark Tornillo),which released a comeback album last year, "Blood Of The Nations":

Udo: "There was a good hype going on when they came out with the 'Blood Of The Nations' album. I mean, it was a good album, good production. Of course, I expect a good album from ACCEPT after 15 years; I wish [U.D.O.] had 15 years to write songs [for a new album]. [Laughs] Of course you expect a good album. The singer is good. I mean, he's different. For me, he's a little bit like Bon Scott [AC/DC], something like that. And yeah, they did quite a successful tour in Europe. And what can I say? On one hand, it is not ACCEPT; that's the point. It's just the name. I wish them luck and we will see what the future will bring for ACCEPT. I'm happy with U.D.O. I'm now longer together with this band than I was with ACCEPT. And so there's a real family [vibe] going on, the chemistry is right. Everybody is looking forward to going on tour and it's so much fun. In a way, I can say I am happy I didn't make the reunion with ACCEPT after all."