Their current lineup consists of Hoffmann, vocalist Mark Tornillo, guitarists Uwe Lulis and Philip Shouse, drummer Christopher Williams and bassist Martin Motnik. Before arriving at their current lineup, Accept has undergone numerous lineup changes, being Hoffmann the last remaining original member since its inception, and he is the only band member to appear on each album.
Accept played an important role in the development of speed and thrash metal, and they were part of the German heavy metal scene, which emerged in the early to mid-1980s. They have also been cited as an influence or inspiration by a number of acts, including Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Pantera, Testament, Anthrax, Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Overkill, Exodus, and Annihilator, as well as fellow Germans such as Helloween, Blind Guardian, Doro, Sodom, Rage, and Grave Digger. Accept achieved its first commercial success with their fifth studio album Balls to the Wall (1983), which is the band's only album to be certified gold in the United States and Canada, and spawned their well-known hit "Balls to the Wall".
Accept have broken up and reformed multiple times. They first split up in 1989, several months after the release of Eat the Heat (which was their only album with Dirkschneider's initial replacement David Reece), but reformed in 1992 and released three more albums before disbanding again in 1997. After briefly reuniting in 2005, Accept announced their third reunion in 2009, with former T.T. Quick frontman Mark Tornillo replacing Dirkschneider (who declined to participate), and the band has recorded five albums with him: Blood of the Nations (2010), Stalingrad (2012), Blind Rage (2014), The Rise of Chaos (2017) and Too Mean to Die (2021); each of those albums renewed Accept's popularity in Germany and entered the top ten charts there.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accept_(band)
Studio albums
Accept (1979)
I'm a Rebel (1980)
Breaker (1981)
Restless and Wild (1982)
Balls to the Wall (1983)
Metal Heart (1985)
Russian Roulette (1986)
Eat the Heat (1989)
Objection Overruled (1993)
Death Row (1994)
Predator (1996)
Blood of the Nations (2010)
Stalingrad (2012)
Blind Rage (2014)
The Rise of Chaos (2017)
Too Mean to Die (2021)
Beat the Bastards
Accept Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cut the ropes that bind you
Stand up, straight into your fear
Leave the past behind you
Your cautious ways, have spawned your nothing
Life, is just an empty stage
Living, puts the words upon the page
Open to a new frontier
Your mundane life, is history
You'll seize the day, it's mystery
Cut the ripcord, don't look back
Burn the bridges down
Grab the handle, clench your fist
Beat the bastards down
Fire, there's fire in your heart
Flames of passion burn
Higher, raging from the start
And now there's no return
Go have your way, your fantasy
Embrace the day, it's destiny
Cut the ripcord, don't look back
Burn the bridges down
Grab the handle, clench your fist
Beat the bastards down
Cut the ripcord, no turning back
Bum the bridges down
Grab the handle, crack the whip
Beat the bastards down beat em' down
Cut the ripcord, don't look back
Burn the bridges down
Grab the handle, clench your fist
Beat the bastards down
Cut the ripcord, no turning back
Burn the bridges down
Grab the handle, crack the whip
Beat the bastards down
Beat em' down
The lyrics to "Beat the Bastards" by Accept are a call to action, urging the listener to break free from the constraints of their past and embrace their passions and destiny. The opening lines encourage the listener to leave behind anything that is holding them back and to face their fears head-on. The following lines lament the emptiness of a life without passion and encourage the listener to seize the day and embrace the unknown.
The chorus of the song is a rousing call to action, encouraging the listener to take control of their life and beat down anyone who stands in their way. The imagery of cutting the ripcord, burning bridges and cracking the whip adds to the sense of urgency and intensity of the song.
Overall, the lyrics of "Beat the Bastards" are empowering and motivating, urging the listener to take control of their life and live it to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Get up, get the hell on outta here
Leave your current situation and move forward
Cut the ropes that bind you
Break free from any limitations holding you back
Stand up, straight into your fear
Face your fears head-on with courage
Leave the past behind you
Don't dwell on the past, focus on the present and future
Your cautious ways, have spawned your nothing
Playing it safe has led to a lack of accomplishment or advancement
Life, is just an empty stage
Life is a blank canvas waiting for you to make your mark
Where do you go from here
What will you make of the opportunities ahead?
Living, puts the words upon the page
Every day is a new experience to write your own story
Open to a new frontier
Be receptive to new ideas and opportunities
Your mundane life, is history
Your average or everyday life is in the past
You'll seize the day, it's mystery
Take advantage of every day as if it's a new adventure
Cut the ripcord, don't look back
Make a change and don't second-guess your decision
Burn the bridges down
Eliminate any ties to past situations or people holding you back
Grab the handle, clench your fist
Take control of your situation and fight for what you want
Beat the bastards down
Overcome any obstacles or opponents blocking your path
Fire, there's fire in your heart
You have a strong passion and drive to succeed
Flames of passion burn
Your passion is intense and unwavering
Higher, raging from the start
Your ambition and determination have been present from the beginning
And now there's no return
You're fully committed to your goals and won't turn back
Go have your way, your fantasy
Pursue your dreams and live your ideal life
Embrace the day, it's destiny
Welcome the opportunities of the day and shape your own fate
Cut the ripcord, no turning back
Make a bold decision and fully commit to it with no regrets
Bum the bridges down
Completely sever connections to the past or any negative influences
Grab the handle, crack the whip
Take control of your life and assert your dominance
Beat the bastards down beat em' down
Overcome any obstacles or opponents with absolute force
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARK TORNILLO, PETER BALTES, WOLF HOFFMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind