In 1982, the metal scene was rapidly evolving, marked by the raw energy of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) and the nascent thrash movement that would soon explode onto the scene. Within this context, the band Accept from Solingen, West Germany, released their groundbreaking fourth studio album, “Restless and Wild.” This album solidified their place in metal history and bridged the gap between traditional heavy metal and the faster, more aggressive sounds that would come to define the genre in the years to come.
At this point, Accept was no newcomer. Formed in the late 1960s as Band X and later renamed after Chicken Shack’s album “Accept,” the band had undergone numerous lineup changes. By the time of “Restless and Wild,” the lineup featured Udo Dirkschneider on vocals, Wolf Hoffmann on guitar, Peter Baltes on bass, and Stefan Kaufmann on drums. This band had been refining its sound, and “Restless and Wild” represented a pivotal moment in their career.
The early 80s were a fertile time for heavy metal, with bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest defining the genre’s sound and image. Accept, however, brought something uniquely German to the table, blending the melodic sensibilities of NWOBHM with a harder, faster edge that foreshadowed the coming thrash metal wave.
“Restless and Wild” opens with “Fast as a Shark”, a track that kicks off with an unexpected twist—a snippet of the traditional German folk song “Ein Heller und ein Batzen”. This playful intro is quickly obliterated by one of the earliest examples of speed metal, a genre-defining moment that influenced countless bands. With its relentless double-kick drumming and rapid-fire riffing, “Fast as a Shark” is often cited as a precursor to thrash metal, pre-dating Metallica’s “Kill ’Em All” by several months.
The title track, “Restless and Wild,” follows suit with its high-energy delivery and Hoffmann’s searing guitar work, a highlight throughout the album. His solos are a masterclass in early 80s metal guitar, blending technical prowess with a keen sense of melody. Tracks like “Neon Nights” and “Princess of the Dawn” showcase the band’s versatility, with “Neon Nights” weaving between acoustic passages and heavy riffs, and “Princess of the Dawn” featuring a haunting, epic structure that closes the album on a high note.
“Restless and Wild” didn’t just solidify Accept’s place in the metal pantheon; it also played a crucial role in the genre’s development. The album’s influence can be heard in the speed and thrash metal movements that followed. Bands like Metallica and Slayer, who released their debuts in 1983, were undoubtedly impacted by Accept’s fusion of speed and melody.
While “Balls to the Wall” would become their most commercially successful album, “Restless and Wild” remains a favorite among metal purists for its raw energy and pioneering spirit. It’s an album that captures a band on the brink of stardom, experimenting with their sound and pushing the boundaries of what metal could be.
Songs in this Episode
Intro - Demon's Night
7:53 - Fast as a Shark
14:51 - Fast as a Shark
16:19 - Neon Nights
17:29 - Don't Go Stealing My Soul Away
20:48 - Restless and Wild
25:27 - Shake Your Heads
28:42 - Get Ready
31:44 - Princess of the Dawn Outro - Flash Rockin' Man
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Accept - Restless and Wild | 80s Metal Revisited