By: Richard Maw
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 23/11/2018
Label: Nuclear Blast
Taken for what this is, though, I can
say that “Symphonic Terror” is immensely enjoyable and entertaining. The album represents a unique performance and
demonstrates a band at the top of their game
“Symphonic
Terror: Live at Wacken 2017” CD//DD//LP
track listing:
1. Die by the Sword
2. Restless and Wild
3. Koolaid
4. Pandemic
5. Final Journey
6. Night on Bald Mountain
7. Scherzo
8. Romeo and Juliet
9. Pathétique
10. Double Cello Concerto in G Minor
11. Symphony NO.
CD 2:
1. Princess of the Dawn
2.
3. Dark Side of My Heart
4. Breaker
5. Shadow Soldiers
6. Dying Breed
7. Fast as a Shark
8. Metal Heart
9. Teutonic Terror
10. Balls to the Wall
The Review:
Accept, as of last week, are now
down to one original member- Wolf Hoffman. However, for this unique 2017
concert at Wacken, Peter Baltes was still there on bass- even if Hermann Frank
had departed as rhythm guitarist. As has been documented in past reviews, I
feel that Mark Tornillo is every bit as good as Udo Dirkschneider and he has
now headed up the band for ten years. As the title suggests, this is a full
live gig with a difference- the central portion of the performance marries Accept
up with a symphony orchestra- which then stays for the latter half of the gig!
The first section of the release is a straight ahead metal performance, the
middle section features Hoffman with orchestra- utilising his “Headbangers
Symphony” solo album as the basis- and the latter half of the record
treats the audience to classic Accept songs accompanied by the orchestra.
So,
how essential is this? Well, not essential at all. It's a live album with an
orchestra attached to two thirds of it. However, that view may be doing this
record a disservice. To be sure, the central section is very stirring indeed
and is actually successful in combining metal with classical. Its leagues ahead
of Metallica's
“S
& M” effort of nearly 20 (!?) years ago and much more interesting
than Deep
Purple's misfiring “Concerto for Group and Orchestra”.
The latter part of the release is also an interesting experiment- but much more
in the vein of Metallica's
aforementioned effort.
I
could not claim that “Princess of the
Dawn” is enhanced by the presence of the orchestra, beyond it being...
different and more grandiose. The band wisely chose some of its more theatrical
and grand material for the latter half of the gig and it is a thrill to hear “Stalingrad ” with classical backing. I think the
thing here is that if you like Accept, you will like this record.
I
love Accept
and they are one of the best live bands I have ever seen. Hearing their songs
with a new twist is interesting and a diverting listen. Will this take over on
regular rotation from the superb “Restless and Live” record from a
year or two back? No. While “Symphonic Terror” does boast the
chance to hear some of the tracks from “The Rise of Chaos” in a live setting
it is too much of an oddity to usurp a straight ahead live record.
Taken
for what this is, though, I can say that “Symphonic Terror” is immensely
enjoyable and entertaining. The central orchestral section really works and is
testament to Hoffman's ability as a writer and player that it sounds so grand
and cinematic. The album represents a unique performance and demonstrates a
band at the top of their game. Having released a straight ahead live compendium
recently, the band can play around with its sound and put out this album- why
not? Recommended to all Accept fans and fans of classical music. For those new
to the band, start elsewhere.
“Symphonic
Terror: Live At Wacken 2017” is available now
