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)
Heaven Is Hell
Accept Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If wanted on the Koran
It's always good for trouble
To have a holy ghost
We have made the decision
There is forgiveness, if you need
But this is not in this world
There is no, no other way
You can't just believe what you want
No other way, no no
You can read it in the book, what's good or bad
Heaven is there where hell is
And hell is down on earth, oh yes it is
Heaven is there where hell is
And hell is down on earth, oh yeah
You shouldn't kill your brother
Except if he doesn't know what's right
If he can't love your heaven
Ah, it's a mercy for him to die
And that it's so much better
Than to live without redemption
This is easy to do so
And you can read how it works
All you need, is the holy ghost
Oh, he will comfort you
No other way, no no
That's how they're cheating you
And make believe what's good or bad
Heaven is there where hell is
And hell is down on earth, is it heaven or hell
Heaven is there where hell is
And hell is down on earth
Down on earth, oh yes it is
Is it heaven or hell
I'm sure we all know them
Those perverts, they're everywhere
Mmh, we're talking straight about facts
You know deep inside what's right or wrong
And the world stinks, and the paradise is now a sewer
And they sell shit for gold
And you have to take what you've got
Heaven is never in heaven,
And hell is down on earth
Heaven is there where hell is,
And hell is down on earth
Hahaha, heaven is never in heaven,
And hell is down on earth
Heaven is there where hell is,
And hell is down on earth
Heaven is never in heaven,
And hell is down on earth
Heaven is there where hell is,
And hell is down on earth
Hahahaha
Heaven is there where hell is
And hell is down on earth, oh yes it is
Heaven is there where hell is
And hell is down on earth
Oh, don't you think that heaven is there where hell is
And hell is down on earth, tell me is it heaven or hell
Heaven is there where hell is
And heaven is down on earth, hahaha
The lyrics of "Heaven Is Hell" by Accept/DEAFFY are quite complex and thought-provoking. The song is critical of organized religion and its hypocritical nature. The lyrics suggest that religious doctrines can be used to manipulate people and justify violence.
The lines "We swear it on the bible / If wanted on the Koran" indicate that people will use religious texts as a means to justify their actions. The lyrics then state that having a "holy ghost" can be good for trouble, implying that religious fervor can be used to manipulate people into doing things that they wouldn't normally do.
The repeated phrase "Heaven is there where hell is / And hell is down on earth," suggests that the idea of heaven and hell is a human construct and that the suffering and hardships of life on earth are the true hell. The lyrics also touch on the idea that people should not kill each other, except for when it is perceived that they are not following the right path.
Overall, "Heaven Is Hell" is a critique of organized religion and how it can be used to manipulate people.
Line by Line Meaning
We swear it on the bible
We are making a solemn oath on the Christian holy book
If wanted on the Koran
We are willing to make the same oath on the Muslim holy book
It's always good for trouble
Making a religious oath can often lead to conflict or controversy
To have a holy ghost
It is helpful to have a spiritual guide or presence to help navigate these conflicts
We have made the decision
We have come to a definite conclusion
There is forgiveness, if you need
Forgiveness is available, but it must be sought after
But this is not in this world
The forgiveness we seek is not possible in this life
You have to wait and wait
Patience is required to receive forgiveness
There is no, no other way
There are no alternatives
You can't just believe what you want
Belief alone is not enough
You can read it in the book, what's good or bad
The holy book contains guidelines on what is right and wrong
Heaven is there where hell is
The concept of heaven and hell is not confined to the afterlife
And hell is down on earth, oh yes it is
Earthly existence can be a hellish experience
You shouldn't kill your brother
Violence is generally not condoned
Except if he doesn't know what's right
An exception is made for those who are ignorant
If he can't love your heaven
If someone cannot accept your beliefs
Ah, it's a mercy for him to die
It may be seen as a kindness to end the person's suffering
And that it's so much better
Ending someone's suffering is preferable
Than to live without redemption
Living without forgiveness is worse than death
This is easy to do so
Ending someone's suffering can be done without remorse
And you can read how it works
Instructions on how to end someone's suffering are available in the holy book
All you need, is the holy ghost
With the aid of a spiritual guide, ending someone's suffering is justifiable
Oh, he will comfort you
The holy ghost provides comfort in difficult situations
That's how they're cheating you
The concept of spiritual guidance can be used to deceive people
And make believe what's good or bad
People can be manipulated into believing certain actions are moral or immoral
I'm sure we all know them
There are people who engage in immoral behavior
Those perverts, they're everywhere
These people are prevalent in society
Mmh, we're talking straight about facts
We are speaking truthfully
You know deep inside what's right or wrong
Everyone has an inherent sense of morality
And the world stinks, and the paradise is now a sewer
The world is a corrupt and unpleasant place to live
And they sell shit for gold
People can be deceived into valuing worthless things
And you have to take what you've got
We must contend with the world as it is
Oh, don't you think that heaven is there where hell is
The line between heaven and hell is blurred
Tell me is it heaven or hell
The distinction between the two is often unclear
And heaven is down on earth, hahaha
Heaven can exist in our daily lives, despite the surrounding chaos
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
marvelouzMe
I believe in God. And this is my favorite Accept song ever. I could listen to it 1,001 times
Louis Csanko
I ALSO BELIEVE IN GOD AND LOVE THIS SONG// ON THIS EARTH SOME ARE ENJOYING HEAVENLY PLEASURES WHILE OTHERS SUFFER HELLISH AFFLICTIONS**
Slaprougefun
This was such an under-rated song...it's so powerful, like an Anthem for Atheists! I could listen to this a thousand times! Wow!
Destruction666-
You are right
Shadow_of_the_ human
it's not atheists' anthem it's opposite - You choose your fate in the after live 'coz "Heaven is hell where hell is". It's pretty close one to another. You decide to take a stand against evil or follow the temptation - the choice you have to make every second from day to day 'till your death on Earth.
Lyrics mean there's no doubt that Heaven nor Hell exist, it's known. And you have to make a stand - to believe (not for profit like those about who verse one says - but for irrational and pure faith) or give up and choose the easiest way.
JHorsti
For those about to rock, we Accept you
Cynthia Dee Harney
Shit they both rock ! Accept and AC/Dc! Big Balls to the Wall!!
Cynthia Dee Harney
Right on! Thanks for accepting me!! 🤘
Hasso
@Louis Csanko ^ not a true AC/DC fan
Louis Csanko
ACCEPT IS METAL// CURRENT AC/DC IS HARD ROCK// ( RIP BONN AND MALCOLM)