If younger listeners aren't supposed to like the music that their parents listened to, that "fact" is lost on all the younger headbangers who have discovered
U.D.O. in the 21st century. Today's college-age headbangers weren't even born in 1983, when
Udo Dirkschneider was still
Accept's lead singer and belted out "Balls to the Wall." But that hasn't prevented them from becoming
U.D.O. converts, and a variety of younger and older listeners will find that
Dirkschneider is in very good form on
Rev-Raptor. This 2010-2011 recording, like other albums that
Dirkschneider has come out with in the 21st century, finds him playing it close to the vest creatively. Instead of experimenting,
Dirkschneider offers yet another dose of '80s-style metal. Some of the tracks favor a strong
Judas Priest/
Iron Maiden aesthetic ("Motor-Borg," "Leatherhead," "Terrorvision," "Pain Man"), while others are closer to
AC/DC,
Accept, and
Krokus ("Rock ‘n' Roll Soldiers"). But either way,
Dirkschneider maintains a stubbornly pre-'90s perspective. And that's probably for the best because, even though
Rev-Raptor takes few chances, it is a solid outing.
Dirkschneider and his sidemen in
U.D.O. sound like a well-oiled power metal/heavy metal machine throughout the album;
Rev-Raptor is predictable, but
Dirkschneider never comes across as bored or uninspired.
Dirkschneider no doubt reasons that if it isn't broke, don't fix it -- and he still belts out this type of old-school metal with plenty of conviction. Although not essential,
Rev-Raptor is a likable effort whether one discovered
Dirkschneider back in the '80s or got hip to his work in the 21st century. And even though the material is consistently melodic,
Dirkschneider is still keeping it balls to the wall. ~ Alex Henderson