Accept have had a busy 2016, working on a new album, a solo project for guitarist Wolf Hoffmann with Headbangers Symphony, and an upcoming live release, Restless and Live, a DVD/CD package coming out on January 13th.
Metal Wani’s Laura Vezer had a chat with Wolf about the year in review, the upcoming DVD “Restless And Live”, their live stage impact, upcoming Accept album, recording and release plan, musical direction, change in sound in 90’s and why the band returned to the roots since the reunion. He also throws light on why the band doesn’t care about doing ‘Anniversary’ shows playing the classic Accept album in its entirety, possible North American tour after the album release and plans to play ‘Headbangers Symphony’ live sometime in 2017.
You have Restless and Live coming out on January 13th, 2017. This is a live concert from Bang Your Head!!! in Germany from 2015. The last time Accept released a live video was in 2002, with Metal Blast from the Past. Why release a new one now? Was the time just right?
Wolf: It seemed like the perfect timing. We’ve had three albums out and a lot of new material that we wanted to showcase in the live album, and we have two new members in the band. If that’s not enough, since we toured so much for Blind Rage, we thought this would be a good time to release something in between until the new album comes out. Fans have always asked for a live album, so here it is! It seemed to be the perfect timing for it.
You are in the middle of the songwriting process and I’d imagine it can be difficult to explain the sound of an album until it’s completed. It might be a bit early in the process for you, but is there anything you can tell us so far about the album? Will it have a heavier sound? Compared to Blind Rage for example.
Wolf: I can tell you that it won’t be dramatically different. I’m way too close to it, and it’s only half finished. I don’t know which turn it’s going to take just yet, but it feels pretty heavy in places, maybe even heavier than Blind Rage. It’s all relative you know? It feels that way to me, I’m not making any predictions, it’s just a gut feeling at this point. But it won’t be dramatically different. We’re trying to sound how we always sound, just better, stronger than ever.
Stream The Full Interview Below: