Susemihl left the band, with U.D.O. now as a four-piece. The band shifted to a lighter approach with the third album Faceless World, which was released on 25 February 1990, achieving great success; this being their best selling album so far. It was produced by former Accept drummer Stefan Kaufmann. The fourth album Timebomb was released on 3 April 1991. It was a more heavier album than their previous releases. In 1992, Dirkschneider put U.D.O. on hiatus to reunite with Accept.
In 1996, Dirkschneider reactivated U.D.O. with a brand new line-up; Stefan Kaufmann, now undertaking guitar duties, with guitarist Jürgen Graf and bassist Fitty Wienhold from Bullet, and Stefan Schwarzmann returning to the band. They took part in the 1997 compilation album A Tribute to Judas Priest: Legends of Metal, in which they recorded the song "Metal Gods".
On 24 March 1997, U.D.O. released the fifth album Solid. It was featured on the Rock Hard magazine reader charts for more than a year after its release. The album was followed up with No Limits on 20 April 1998, featuring a similar songwriting approach from Solid. The album features a cover of the Austrian pop band Supermax's hit single "Love Machine". After the conclusion of the band's tour, Stefan Schwarzmann quit the band. New drummer Lorenzo Milani replaced him.
The seventh album Holy was released on 18 October 1999, which received critical acclaim. It was a return to the guitar-driven sound similar to the Balls to the Wall-era Accept. A world tour followed with dates in the United States and several other major countries. The band known as Vanize, fronted by Udo Dirkschneider's brother Peter, supported U.D.O. during the tour. Line-up changes occurred during the second part of the tour with Gotthard guitarist Igor Gianola replacing Jürgen Graf. The tour spawned the first live album Live from Russia, which was released on 15 October 2001, a 2-CD release featuring many of the classic Accept songs that have since become staples of U.D.O.'s set.
On 24 July 2002, the eighth album Man and Machine was released, receiving a somewhat lukewarm reception. Despite standout songs such as the title track and "Private Eye", the album was ultimately less successful than Holy. It is notable for the song "Dancing with an Angel", featuring a duet performance of Dirkschneider and vocalist Doro Pesch.
U.D.O. released their ninth studio album Thunderball on 29 March 2004. The follow-up album Mission No. X was originally due for release on 4 October 2005, but was pushed forward by one week and was released on 30 September 2005 instead. It was the first album to feature Edge of Forever drummer Francesco Jovino.
On 18 May 2007, the eleventh album Mastercutor was released. In August 2007, bassist Fitty Weinhold was unable to perform with the band due to "private reasons". He would be temporarily replaced with former Majesty bassist Marcus Bielenberg for touring purposes.
U.D.O.'s twelfth studio album Dominator was released on 21 August 2009. The next studio album Rev-Raptor was originally due for release on 14 January 2011, but was delayed until 18 March 2011 due to the recurrence of Stefan Kaufmann's back problems. It was delayed again, but was officially released on 20 May 2011.
In November 2011, Dirkschneider's son Sven supported U.D.O. on a date in Germany and became a permanent member of his father's band in February 2015. On the same year, the band was temporary renamed as "Dirkschneider" and embarked in a long tour called "Back To The Roots" where the band only performed Accept songs.
In September 2012, Kaufmann announced his departure for health reasons. He would continue to work in the surroundings of the band and produce for other bands in his own personal studio. On 15 January 2013, Russian guitarist Andrey Smirnov was recruited as the new member. A week later, Igor Gianola left the band "due to conflicts between band appointments and his private life and business." Following his departure, former Amberian Dawn guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen joined the band. The fourteenth album Steelhammer was released on 20 May 2013.
In December 2014, drummer Francesco Jovino left the band for personal reasons, joining Primal Fear in 2015. He was replaced by Udo Dirkschneider's son Sven in February 2015. U.D.O. released the fifteenth studio album Decadent on 23 January 2015.
In February 2017, Heikkinen announced his departure citing personal reasons. According to the band, no bad blood or drama were involved between the two. In March 2017, guitarist Bill Hudson was announced as the new member. On 24 April 2018, Hudson parted ways with the band "due to a difference in their individual visions for the future", according to Dirkschneider, adding that there was no "negative feelings on either side." In June 2018, Stefan Kaufmann temporarily rejoined the band only for the summer festival appearances until a new guitarist was found. The sixteenth album Steelfactory was released on 31 August 2018, with the first single "Rising High" being made available for streaming. On 19 September 2018, bassist Fitty Wienhold announced his departure from U.D.O., but stated that he would remain with the band if needed, " as a friend, as an advisor...whatever." The band soon recruited German guitarist Dee Dammers and Slovenian bassist Tilen Hudrap as their new members.
During U.D.O.'s touring in Europe in early 2019, Dirkschneider performed as a handicap after experiencing left knee pain. He vowed to continue without doctors' advice and without causing disappointment to the fans. The band was originally scheduled to perform at the Wacken Open Air festival in 2020 by performing Accept's 1985 album Metal Heart in its entirety to celebrate its 35th anniversary, with the addition of Das Musikkorps der Bundeswehr, but the festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, U.D.O. collaborated with Das Musikkorps der Bundeswehr to record an album titled We Are One, which was released on 17 July 2020. It reached number 8 in the official German album charts, the second highest position for any U.D.O album in 34 years, right after Steelfactory, which peaked at number 7.
A live album titled Live In Bulgaria 2020 - Pandemic Survival Show was released on 19 March 2021. It was recorded live on 18 September 2020 in front of 2500 fans in Plovdiv. The seventeenth studio album Game Over was released on 22 October 2021.
Dirkschneider
U.D.O. performed under the name Dirkschneider for an occasion in which Udo Dirkschneider described as his "farewell to Accept", stating that he would no longer perform Accept songs again in the band's live shows. In early 2017, they performed in North America. A 2-CD live album titled Live: Back to the Roots was released on 28 October 2016. An updated version titled Live: Back to the Roots - Accepted! was released on 4 August 2017, featuring a DVD of their performance from Brno, Czech Republic.
The band continued to perform Accept songs for at least another year, due to the request from fans. They returned to North America in early 2018 after a positive reception from their first visit the previous year. In 2018, Udo Dirkschneider put his side project to a close as he did not want to cause confusion between his main band and his side project.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.D.O.
Studio albums
Animal House (1987)
Mean Machine (1989)
Faceless World (1990)
Timebomb (1991)
Solid (1997)
No Limits (1998)
Holy (1999)
Man and Machine (2002)
Thunderball (2004)
Mission No. X (2005)
Mastercutor (2007)
Dominator (2009)
Rev-Raptor (2011)
Steelhammer (2013)
Decadent (2015)
Steelfactory (2018)
Game Over (2021)
System of Life
U.D.O. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're so much better it's no surprise
It's like a mirror is watching you
Maybe the word's been broken - don't be no fool
Following the lights you see like a rolling train
Yesterday is gone - tomorrow's in your hands
Something you've had is gone - don't wish it back
You know the rules don't need no warning
There's only one way to find the clue
Inside you so let it go
System of life - be the hunted or the hunter
System of life
System of life - it's always by your side
System of life - the one and only way to live in harmony
Don't paint a picture full of love and hate
Paradise is here - but exceptions prove the rules
Sometimes it feels just like a dream becoming true
Close your eyes - look inside - it will never be the same
'cause for your life there ain't no warning
So stand up and fight to find the clue
So watch out you live and learn
It's the
System of life - be the broken or the breaker
System of life
It's the
System of life - it's always real and true
System of life - the one and only way to live in harmony
Yeah - yeah
Oh, it's the
System of life - be the hunted or the hunter
System of life
It's the
System of life - it's always by your side
System of life - the one and only way to live in harmony
It's the
System of life - be the taken or the taker
System of life
It's the
System of life - it's always real and true
System of life
U.D.O.'s System of Life speaks of the choices and challenges faced by individuals as they navigate the complexities of life. The lyrics suggest a mirror-like reflection of the self, urging listeners to acknowledge their own strength and potential. The lines "Following the lights you see like a rolling train / Yesterday is gone - tomorrow's in your hands" encourages listeners to embrace the present and look towards the future. The sentiment that "Something you've had is gone - don't wish it back / Let it go - don't run away - it's nothing you'll forget" further emphasizes the importance of letting go of the past to move forward.
The chorus of the song speaks of the "System of life," a kind of guiding force or principle that permeates through every aspect of existence. Whether one chooses to be "the hunted or the hunter," "the taken or the taker," or "the broken or the breaker," the "System of life" remains a constant presence, a reminder that harmony is the one true way to live.
Line by Line Meaning
Now it's time to look in your eyes
It's time to have a frank and honest discussion with you.
You're so much better it's no surprise
It's not surprising that you've improved so much.
It's like a mirror is watching you
You're being observed as if there is a mirror reflecting your every move.
Maybe the word's been broken - don't be no fool
Perhaps what was promised earlier hasn't been fulfilled. Don't be naive.
Following the lights you see like a rolling train
Pursuing the path you believe is right, similar to following a train of lights.
Yesterday is gone - tomorrow's in your hands
The past is over and you have the power to shape tomorrow.
Something you've had is gone - don't wish it back
Something you once had is no longer available, so there is no use in longing for it.
Let it go - don't run away - it's nothing you'll forget
Accept the reality of the situation, don't escape from it, because it will eventually fade away from memory.
You know the rules don't need no warning
You are already aware of the norms and protocols, so no prior indication is necessary.
There's only one way to find the clue
The only way to find out what you're looking for is to follow a certain path.
Inside you so let it go
The solution can be found within you, so don't let it get in the way.
System of life - be the hunted or the hunter
Life is a cycle of being pursued or being the pursuer.
System of life
Life follows a particular pattern.
System of life - it's always by your side
This pattern of life is always present in your life.
System of life - the one and only way to live in harmony
The only way to live a harmonious life is to follow this pattern.
Don't paint a picture full of love and hate
Avoid having black and white views of people and emotions.
Paradise is here - but exceptions prove the rules
Paradise is present in this world, but obstacles reveal how the rules work.
Sometimes it feels just like a dream becoming true
Certain events feel like a dream come true.
Close your eyes - look inside - it will never be the same
Take a deep breath and examine yourself. Everything will change after that.
'cause for your life there ain't no warning
No one can forewarn you about your own life.
So stand up and fight to find the clue
Aim to discover the path by facing the challenges head on.
So watch out you live and learn
Be mindful of what's happening around you and learn from it.
System of life - be the broken or the breaker
In life, you can be the one who is broken or the one who breaks someone else.
System of life - it's always real and true
This pattern of life is legitimate and authentic.
It's the
System of life - be the hunted or the hunter
Once again, life is a continuous cycle of chasing or being chased.
It's the
System of life - it's always by your side
Reiterating that this pattern of life is always present in your life.
System of life - the one and only way to live in harmony
The only approach to living in concordance is to follow this pattern.
It's the
System of life - be the taken or the taker
A different version of the continuous cycle of taking or being taken.
Contributed by Gianna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.