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"Balls to the Wall" is the fifth album by the German metal band Accept. It is the band's best known and highest-selling album, selling about two million copies worldwide, and is Accept's only record to attain Gold certification in America. The album's lead single, "Balls to the Wall", became Accept's signature tune and remains a metal anthem and trademark in the genre.
Accept is a German heavy metal band that formed in the late 1970s. The band achieved significant commercial success in the 1980s with their powerful and distinctive brand of heavy metal. In 1983, they released their fifth studio album, "Balls to the Wall", on 12" vinyl LP. The album cemented Accept's place in the world of heavy metal history and remains a beloved classic among fans of the genre.
The album's title track, "Balls to the Wall", is perhaps the band's most famous song. Its powerful and driving riff, coupled with lead singer Udo Dirkschneider's raw and aggressive vocals, create an anthemic heavy metal masterpiece that has become a staple of the genre. The song's lyrics deal with themes of power and rebellion, and its iconic chorus has become a rallying cry for generations of heavy metal fans.
Throughout the album, Dirkschneider's vocals are a standout. His gritty and raw delivery perfectly captures the rebellious spirit of heavy metal, and his powerful range allows him to convey a range of emotions, from anger and aggression to vulnerability and longing.
Heavy Metal ( Germany )
RCA PL 70186 / LC 0316
Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
1983 Made in Germany
This 12" LP vinyl music record comes comes in a Fold Open Cover (FOC), which is also also known as a Gatefold cover. The inner pages of this album cover contains a combined photo of the ACCEPT band
Accept for Breeze Music GMBH,(Breeze Music Gmbh is a record company founded and owned by Dieter Dierks , located in Stommeln, Germany.)
Michael Wagener - Producer, Mix Engineer
Louis Austin - Sound Engineer
Louis Austin
Louis Austin, the renowned sound engineer, played a pivotal role in shaping the sonic landscape during a crucial period in the history of music production. Born 1941, in London, Austin's career spanned from the 1960s to the 1980s, aligning with a transformative era in the music industry.
During the 1960s, the music scene witnessed a significant shift marked by the rise of iconic bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who. Louis Austin entered the scene as a sound engineer, contributing his expertise to numerous groundbreaking recordings. His technical proficiency and innovative approaches to sound engineering had a profound impact on the quality and depth of music produced during this time.
One of Austin's notable contributions was his work with The Beatles during the recording sessions of the legendary album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" in 1967. His meticulous attention to detail and experimentation with studio techniques helped create the album's distinctive sound, earning him recognition for his role in shaping the psychedelic and avant-garde elements present in the tracks.
Beyond The Beatles, Louis Austin collaborated with a diverse range of artists, showcasing his versatility as a sound engineer. His work extended to genres such as rock, blues, and folk, leaving an indelible mark on the sonic landscape of the 1970s. As the music industry evolved, so did Austin's approach to sound engineering, adapting to new technologies and pushing the boundaries of what was possible in the studio.
In the 1980s, Louis Austin's influence continued to resonate as he embraced emerging digital technologies in the recording process. His ability to seamlessly integrate analog and digital elements showcased his adaptability and forward-thinking mindset.
Jean Lessenich - Design
Dieter Eikelpoth - Photography
This album cover features a stark black-and-white photograph emphasizing a close-up of a man dressed in leather, holding a ball in a tight grip. The rough texture of the ball and the sharp details of the leather straps and zippers suggest a gritty, rebellious aesthetic.
Symbolically, the image conveys themes of strength, defiance, and raw power, which resonate deeply with the ethos of heavy metal music. The leather attire and provocative pose align with the genre’s tradition of challenging societal norms, invoking both aggression and individuality. This cover, likely designed to make a bold statement, mirrors the unrestrained energy and unapologetic attitude found in the album’s music.
BRAIN 0060.188 , 1979 , Germany
"ACCEPT" is the self-titled debut album released by the German heavy metal band Accept. It was recorded in 1978 and released in early 1979 on the German label Brain Records. Drums on the record are played by Frank Friedrich, but he chose not to pursue a professional music career
Accept ( self-titled ) 12" Vinyl LP
RCA PL 70186 / LC 0316 , 1983 , Germany
ACCEPT's iconic "Balls to the Wall" 12" LP, a cornerstone of heavy metal, delivers relentless energy and anthemic tracks. Released in 1983, the album's raw power, Udo Dirkschneider's distinct vocals, and socially conscious lyrics solidified its place in music history.
Balls to the Wall 12" Vinyl LP
Brain 811 994 , 1983 , Germany
"Best of Accept" is a compilation album by German heavy metal band Accept, released in 1983. The songs on the album were pulled from Accept's earliest four solo albums, namely Accept, I'm a Rebel, Breaker, and Restless and Wild
Best of Accept Orig Brain 12" Vinyl LP
Brain Records 0060.390 , 1981 , Germany
Released in 1981 on Brain Records, "Breaker" is Accept's third studio album and a definitive heavy metal classic. It features raw energy, powerful vocals by Udo Dirkschneider, and iconic tracks like "Starlight" and the title track "Breaker." This 12" vinyl LP captures the band's early sound
Breaker 12" Vinyl LP
RCA PL74083 , 1989 , Made in Germany
"Eat the Heat" is the 1989 release by German Heavy metal band Accept. It was recorded at Dierks-Studios, in Cologne, from September 1988 to January 1989. Although Jim Stacey is presented as guitar player in the band on the album cover, the cover text also states that all guitars are by Wolf Hoffmann.
Eat the Heat 12" Vinyl LP
Metronome Music GmbH 831 077-1 , 1987 , Made in Uk ( United Kingdom )
Accept's "Hungry Years Digital Remix" is a compilation album that offers a fresh take on the band's early catalog. Released in 1987, the album features digitally remastered versions of songs from their second, third, and fourth albums, including "Fast as a Shark," "Restless and Wild," and "Balls to the Wall."
Hungry Years 12" Vinyl LP
BRAIN 0060.389 , 1980 , Made in Germany
Accept's 2nd album, "I'm a Rebel" (title-less), is a raw, high-energy heavy metal record. Though not as polished as their later work, it showcases Udo Dirkschneider's distinct vocals, Wolf Hoffmann's powerful guitar riffs, and the band's signature sound in its early stages.
I'm a Rebel 12" Vinyl LP
RCA NG70941 , 1985 , Made in Germany
Accept's 'Kaizoku-Ban' is a live mini album that unleashes a sonic storm of heavy metal energy. Recorded in Nagoya, Japan in 1985, this genuine 1st issue vinyl LP captures the raw power of a legendary performance. Udo Dirkschneider's commanding vocals, Wolf Hoffmann's scorching guitars
Kaizoku-Ban / Live in Japan 12" Vinyl LP
RCA PL 70638 , 1985 , Made in Germany
Accept's "Metal Heart" (1985) is a landmark heavy metal album showcasing the band's signature sound of powerful riffs, soaring vocals, and anthemic choruses. Tracks like "Metal Heart," "Midnight Mover," and "Screaming for a Love-Bite" explore themes of technology, rebellion, and love with a hard-hitting edge.
Metal Heart 12" Vinyl LP
RCA PL 70638 , 1985 , Made in Germany
Accept's "Metal Masters" is a double LP compilation album showcasing the band's early raw energy and signature heavy metal sound. Featuring tracks from their first two albums, "I'm a Rebel" and "Breaker," this collection highlights Udo Dirkschneider's powerful vocals and the band's driving riffs.
Metal Masters 12" Vinyl LP
Venus Records / Polydor 810 987 , 1983 , Made in France
This is the French release of "Restless and Wild" by the German Heavy Metal band "ACCEPT" and has been released on the Venus records. The album front cover shows the Accept band live on stage and this front cover is different from other European releases (which show two white "Gibson Flying V" guitars
Restless and Wild 12" Vinyl LP
BRAIN 0060.513 , 1982 , Germany
Accept's "Restless and Wild" (1982) is a seminal heavy metal album that marked a turning point in the band's career. With its faster tempos, aggressive riffs, and anthemic choruses, the album solidified Accept's signature sound and launched them into the international spotlight.
Restless and Wild 12" Vinyl LP
RCA PL 70972 / LC 0316 , 1986 , Made in Germany
"Russian Roulette" is the 1986 release by German heavy metal band Accept. It was again recorded at Dierks-Studios, but the band chose to self-produce rather than bring back Dieter Dierks as producer. It would be the last Accept album to feature Udo Dirkschneider as lead vocalist
Russian Roulette 12" Vinyl LP
RCA NL74720, BMG Ariola Hamburg , 1990 , Germany
Accept's "Staying a Life" (1990) is a double live album capturing the band's electrifying performance in Osaka, Japan during their "Breaker" world tour. This iconic recording showcases their signature heavy metal sound, powerful vocals, and energetic stage presence.
Staying A Life 12" Vinyl LP