U.D.O. - Rev-Raptor

U.D.O.

Rev-Raptor

AFM Records - 2011

Upon first listen of this new U.D.O. CD, I was a bit disappointed. Thankfully I took the time to listen a couple more times for a better grasp of the album.

I still think some of the vocals got muddied up in the mix but overall I really enjoyed the album. U.D.O. has been turning out some of the most entertaining metal lately. I've been listening to a lot of the band's albums recently and despite some flaws, they have all been well worth the time it took to listen to them. Rev-Raptor continues that streak.

The title track is one of the songs that had vocals that got lost in the mix a bit, but it kicked off the disc quite nicely. "Renegade" was a fast paced number that I really enjoyed. Though it has a bit of an odd song title, the track "Fairy Tales of Victory" was a nice mid to uptempo song with rather pointed lyrics.

Two songs that benefited from me listening to the album more than once were "Dr. Death" which is a ball-busting dose of metallic speed and "Rock 'N' Roll Soldiers", a "we are true metal warriors" anthem.

The last two songs on the album close things out quite nicely. "True Born Winners" and "Days of Hope and Glory" were superbly done. The former is attacking in its pacing while the latter slows down just a bit but still stays in line with the entertaining yet entirely metal anthemic nature of the disc.

The band also has what is now a standard slow song and this one is truly outstanding. "I Give As Good As I Get" is a great song without an overabundance of singer Udo Dirkschneider's metallic growl. He's "singing" on this track for the most part. What really sells the song is the starkly supreme video. It was recorded as a one shot and the visuals are amazing. Most of the video is a closeup on Dirkschneider as he sings and it captures every nook and cranny of his face. It reminded me of the video for Johnny Cash's cover of the Nine Inch Nails song "Closer". You can see the video for this song below as well as the video for the song "Leatherhead".

The CD booklet was nicely done and includes an themed illustration for each song.

All in all, I really enjoyed the album despite the vocal issues. It is something metal enthusiasts will like as well.

RATING: B PLUS

Track Listing:

01. Rev-Raptor

02. Leatherhead

03. Renegade

04. I Give As Good As I Get

05. Dr. Death

06. Rock 'N' Roll Soldiers

07. Terrorvision

08. Underworld

09. Pain Man

10. Fairy Tales Of Victory

11. Motor-Borg

12. True Born Winners

13. Days of Hope and Glory

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by RJhog (Admin) on August 27, 2011 at 8:49am

I have this album, and to me it's just okay. I can listen to it, but I don't have desire to listen to it. I do like the slow song, and that video was also posted in VOTW by Niels when it came out. That's why I bought the album.

There is one lyric that I really like, but the correct lyric escapes me right this minute. It's along the lines of "don't take your chances because your chances are none". But I know that's not exactly it. TR may know. Now I have to re-listen to get that quote right.