"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
Michael Wagener is a renowned music producer, mixer, and engineer hailing from Hamburg, Germany. He is highly recognized for his work with numerous prominent hard rock and heavy metal bands, particularly during the late 1980s, when he achieved considerable success and acclaim for his production contributions.
Before his rise as a producer, Wagener had a musical career of his own. He was a guitarist and part of a German band called "Band X" in the pre-1970 era. Notably, Udo Dirkschneider, known for his involvement with the bands Accept and U.D.O., also performed alongside Wagener in Band X. This early collaboration between Wagener and Dirkschneider acted as a precursor to the formation of Accept, the influential German heavy metal band.
While Michael Wagener began as a guitarist for Accept, he eventually transitioned into the realm of music production, where he found his true calling. His talent, expertise, and meticulous approach to producing and mixing led him to work with some of the biggest names in hard rock and heavy metal. Wagener became highly sought after for his ability to capture the energy and power of these genres in the studio.
In addition to his work as a music producer, mixer, and engineer, Michael Wagener is also the president of Double Trouble Productions. This production company, headed by Wagener, focuses on providing high-quality production services to various artists and bands in the music industry.
Over the years, Wagener's production credits have included collaborations with iconic bands such as Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Skid Row, Dokken, White Lion, and many others. His contributions to the sound and success of these bands have solidified his reputation as a prominent figure in the world of rock and metal production.
Michael Wagener's work is characterized by his meticulous attention to detail, ability to capture powerful performances, and his knack for creating an impactful and polished sound. His contributions to the music industry, particularly in the hard rock and heavy metal genres, have left a lasting imprint and have helped shape the sonic landscape of numerous iconic albums.
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
Udo Dirkschneider: a metal icon forged in steel. The legendary voice of Accept, the unstoppable force behind U.D.O. Explore his music, his journey, and the enduring power of true heavy metal.
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 and so his place was taken by Stefan Kaufmann just prior to the album's release
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RCA PL 70186 / LC 0316 , 1983 , Germany
"Balls To The Walle" 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
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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
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Brain Records 0060.390 , 1981 , Germany
"Breaker" is the third album released by the speed metal band Accept. It was recorded from December 1980 to January 1981 at Delta-Studio, Wilster.
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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.
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Metronome Music GmbH 831 077-1 , 1977 , Made in Uk ( United Kingdom )
This album "Hungry Years Digital Remix" is a compilation album with digital remixes of selected tracks from their 2nd, 3rd and 4th albums
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BRAIN 0060.389 , 1980 , Made in Germany
"I'm a Rebel" is the second album by the heavy metal band Accept, recorded in 1979 and released in 1980 It was the first of three consecutive Accept records to utilize Dirk Steffens as producer.
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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, and a relentless rhythm section create an electrifying experience.
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RCA PL 70638 , 1985 , Made in Germany
"Metal Heart" is the 1985 release by German heavy metal band Accept. Although the group had recorded before at Dierks-Studios, this was the first album produced by Dieter Dierks
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RCA PL 70638 , 1985 , Made in Germany
"Metal Masters" is a compilation album of songs by the German Heavy Metal band: ACCEPT. This release was issued as a double LP on the Brain Record label and produced by Frank Marin.
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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 burning into flames )
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BRAIN 0060.513 , 1982 , Germany
This is the GERMAN release of "Restless and Wild" by the German Heavy Metal band "ACCEPT" and has been released on the Venus records
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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
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RCA NL74720, BMG Ariola Hamburg , 1990 , Germany
"Staying a Life" is a double live album by Accept. It was recorded in Osaka, Japan in 1985. It was released in 1990, shortly after the band's first breakup. It was mixed by Uli Baronowsky at Dierks Studios
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