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U.D.O.: Rev-Raptor

Heavy Metal

3.5/5.0

AFM Records
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by Craig Hartranft,  05.16.2011

Find something new to say about the latest U.D.O. album, Rev-Raptor, could be an exercise in futility. If anything, namesake Udo Dirkschneider and band are faithful and consistent to the classic heavy metal style. Actually, upon the success of Mastercuter (2007) and Dominator (2009), U.D.O. desires to hit the 'trifecta' of a winning formula. If ain't broke, don't fix it, the old adage goes.

Herr Dirkschneider, while trustworthy and constant, is hardly reinventing the wheel on Rev-Raptor; there is nothing novel here, just the tried and true. Straight melodic heavy metal from the German side to it's cousin NWOBHM. Rev-Raptor, Leatherhead, and True Born Winners exploits the best of traditional metal: heavy and melodic with crafty hooks, hefty bottom end, and fiery guitar solos. Add a dose of memorable speedy metal on Renegade and Terrorvision and you have vintage metal revisited. And, of course, Udo himself, one of the most identifiable voices in metal, next to Dio and Halford. And "the most metal name of all time" according Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)

Unfortunately, with this entertaining precision for classic metal comes the threat of predictability. By Rock 'N Roll Soldiers or maybe Terrorvision, you've heard the breadth of Rev-Raptor. While what follows are not bad songs by any means, Underworld, Pain Man, Motor-Borg, and True Born Winners are merely variations of the status quo. If it were not U.D.O. doing them, they could be deemed trivial and bland. But in the midst of these, Fairy Tales of Victory and the near metal ballad Days of Hope and Glory surprise and please the metal heart, and all's well with classic metal world.

So you can't expect the unexpected from U.D.O. No matter. This is classic heavy metal done by one of the best: no frills, just faithful and exceptional consistency from Udo Dirkschneider and fellows. Recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

So you can't expect the unexpected from U.D.O. No matter. This is classic heavy metal done by one of the best: no frills, just faithful and exceptional consistency from Udo Dirkschneider and fellows.

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Here's a fun fact about Swiss legends, Gotthard: their last 16 releases, excepting their debut album, went to number one in their home country, making them one of Switzerland's most successful acts and ... [ Read More ]