U.D.O., ‘We Are One’ Review – New Album Soars with Powerful Orchestral Metal

2020-07-13

"We Are One," the new album from U.D.O. and the Concert Band of the German Armed Forces, brims with passionate heavy metal and orchestral music.

U.D.O. cover art – Review by Anne Erickson

Album Review: “We Are One,” the new album from U.D.O. and the Concert Band of the German Armed Forces, brims with passionate heavy metal and orchestral music

“We Are One” is U.D.O. like you’ve never heard them before. Going further, the release is actually a metal album like no other, as “We Are One” is a collaborative effort between U.D.O. and the Musikkorps der Bundeswehr, the renowned Concert Band of the German Armed Forces.

Udo Dirkschneider, who is a longstanding name in metal music, teamed with Lieutenant Colonel Christoph Scheibling to create this unique musical project. Dirkschneider, who is the original voice of Accept, and his band U.D.O. worked closely with Scheibling to write original music that would bring metal and orchestral music together. Former Accept musicians Stefan Kaufmann and Peter Baltes were part of the songwriting process, too.

“We Are One” is a very different kind of album– different in a good way. In a sea of music releases that sound similar, this record stands out with its unique songwriting, musicianship and instrumentation.

The set, which is out July 17 via AFM Records, launches off with “Pandemonium,” an anthemic, orchestral heavy metal tune, with sharp guitars and a majestic chorus. As the set continues with the title track, “Love and Sin,” “Children of the World” and more, a serious theme sets in about the difficulties facing humanity and what, ultimately, brings us together. From songs about the pollution of the earth (“Mother Earth”) to refugees (“Here We Go Again”), the subjects run the gamut.

One stand-out on the set is “Future Is the Reason Why,” which features heavy, dark guitars and pounding rhythms. Backed by the rich, mighty orchestra, this song sounds especially big and passionate. Another special song is the instrumental “Natural Forces,” which almost sounds like the overture of a Broadway musical.

“We Are One” brings together two worlds that aren’t always in tandem– the thrills and hardness of heavy metal with the sophistication of a full orchestra, including wind and string instruments. On “We Are One,” U.D.O. show they can do so much more than put out a basic metal record, and that’s what makes U.D.O. such a powerful, influential metal band, year after year. Ink Rating: 9/10.

Watch Audio Ink Radio’s recent interview with Udo and Sven Dirkschneider of U.D.O. discussing “We Are One” below.

Anne Erickson
Latest posts by Anne Erickson (see all)
Posted by Anne Erickson | Features, Metal, Music, Reviews