 Jimmy Kay here, Metal Voice. Look at us. The Metal Voice shirts are now on sale. Just go to the video description to find out on how you can purchase one. Metal! Alan, once again. Once again. Once again. Udo. Yeah. Kirk Schneider. There you go. We know we're your two favorite Canadians here at the Metal Voice and we're happy to have you back. It just seems like every six months we got you on. You always have something going on. Yeah. Sorry. Sorry. No, we're glad. Great album. Great album. Game over. Yeah. And hopefully it's not game over for you. I mean. No. Yeah. A lot of people were thinking, you know, who game over? Last album? Last tour? No. I mean, the title of the album came during the recording session. You know, a pandemic and a lot of things that was game over. We couldn't work like we want. And there was a different recording session going on, you know, and then in the meanwhile, I don't know who it was in the end. It was in the beginning, some German words, you know, and then we said, well, look, it sounds like game over. I mean, a lot of things are game over, you know, during the pandemic. And yeah, then we said, well, great title for the album. Let's do it. October 22nd via AFM records. That's when it's going to be released. You know what? You don't stop cranking out the music and not just cranking out the music, but good music. I mean, it's just what's your secret sauce? What's your secret? Paul, I don't know. I mean, have good people around you that coming up with good ideas. And also on this album, I mean, that was really bent working, you know, but it was like the beginning was the same, the collecting ideas. And then, then we normally start working together in one room, arranging with the producer in one room, face to face, but pandemic, that was not possible. So that means you did everything, everything over Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, WhatsApp, you know, we had always a conference going on. And it took a little bit more time, you know, but in the end, of course, you had more time. And we were not in the hurry. So, and I mean, the whole thing is like, there is a band album for me, you know, so all to these two new members, D-Dammers and Cheating Hoodrafter came up with really good ideas. The first time I wrote all the lyrics together with my son. And also Sven was also involved in some melodies, you know, vocalizing. He said, yeah, maybe you can sing it in this direction, this direction. And of course, Andre, I'm together with him now for 10 years. There was not a lot of talking, you know, he knows what, what, when he comes up with some ideas. Yeah, but you know, also everybody was really open minded, also, also me, you know, for me, it was like, with all these young people around me, they give you, they push you and, you know, they're coming some fresh ideas, a little bit more modern stuff, also, you know, and then, of course, I'm not a guy to say, okay, it has to be in this direction, no other way, you know, it's, I also said, okay, I'm open minded, and I was listening to everything. And the result is game over 16 songs. Yeah, 16. I know that we were just talking about that before you joined us. How long the album is. Yeah. Some people said, in the beginning, also the record company said, whoa, there's a lot of songs that I said, yeah, so what, it's a value for money. So I mean, we like all the songs, you know, and that's why we said, no, we want to hit them on the CD. And yeah, so I think I hope the people will enjoy the whole album, you know, I'm really happy with it. Did Peter Balthas contribute to the, like, I didn't see his name there. I'm not sure if he did or he didn't. Did Peter Balthas contribute to the album? Peter? No. No, okay, all right. That's the old gang. That's the old gang. That's the old gang. You got so much music coming at you. I want to confirm that. That's all. No, no, no, we was working together on the old gang. This is the new gang. This is the new gang. So it's okay. Yeah, that was the new gang old gang. Yeah, but, you know, that was more a charity thing, you know, I made for, Stephen Kaufman came up with this idea and said, hey, come on, you know, your crew of UDO and also the band members think they need some money. And then we said, okay, we have this song over where the angels fly. And then we had also not finished song, but two more songs. There was normally planned for the Rear One album. And then we said, okay, come on, let's do it. Everybody did it for free. And then AFM said, oh, we're also very good idea. They was making a contract for this small EP. Yeah, so we were lucky to give the band and the crew some money. And the reaction, of course, was nearly the old accept stuff going on, you know, like, and yeah, and then the people said, oh, it's an album coming. Definitely not at the moment. I would say, if we have time, if we have enough ideas, and we can do something in between, I would say, maybe one day we can do an album together, you know, but it's more a project. It's like, we have what we say, it's like fun to make music, you know, so there is no really a new band is coming up or something like that. It's anyway not possible to go with this lineup or tour. It was nice to hear Peter singing again. You know, we haven't heard him since the old accept album. So that was nice. And then the female vocalist you have was outstanding on that. So yeah, I mean, also had my old guitar player, my old guitar player, Matthias Dietz, you know, we've been always over the years in contact. And then he said, yeah, why not? I didn't play the guitar for 15 years. Let's try it, you know, yeah. So and it worked. It was a lot of fun, good songs and the people really liked it. So why not? And this game over in the UDO catalogue, what do we look at album number 1920? Oh, geez. No, 17. 17. I was close. I was close. Close, very close. So it's amazing that you're still referred to as the ex vocalist of the Cult Band Accept is the marketing literature we got. You know, 17 albums in that's a whole career on its own. Yeah, I mean, yeah, what can I say? I mean, in a way, I'm lucky that I can do it, you know, of course, my voice is still working. And yeah, I'm healthy enough. Everything is fine. I mean, next year, I'm getting 70 years old. And so I mean, you know, people, a lot of people was asking me, oh, maybe you want to retire or something like that. I said, no, come on, this is like purchase. No, I mean, you know, I always say, as long I'm healthy, as long my voice is working soon, we can still touring all over the world. It's no reason to stay home and drink coffee and watch the news. You know, no. So in other words, you're going to keep going until I don't know until you feel that, okay, I can't do this anymore. You know, yeah, definitely. I mean, that will be, I think I will be the first person that they know that we're going to say maybe okay, that's it. But I don't know, maybe another 10 years, I have no idea. The first interview we did with you asked you, what's the secret of your voice? And you said, I don't know, I guess I'm lucky. Is that still the case or? I don't know. It's really like, you know, when I did the vocals in the studio, I mean, Stefan Kaufmann did the whole recording for this album. And then he said to me, this is a miracle, this voice. I mean, he knows me since 81, 80, you know, with my vocals. And he said, it's amazing. After all these years, now you can sing higher than a couple of years ago, you're nearly like higher as we did on Breaker album, you know. And he said to me, this is a miracle. I don't know, I said, yeah, what can I say? I have no idea. I can do it. That's it, you know, where I got a question that too much. Okay, some song, some ideas for the songs this time around like a song like Holy Invaders, what's what's fast? To me, it sounds like something off faceless world. What was the idea behind that song, Holy Invaders, the lyrics? Holy Invaders, it's like, you know, it's at a moment very, yeah, if you look to Afghanistan, maybe it's a good example at the moment, you know, they are the people, what kind of religion they have to do, you know, or to do, yeah. And this is not possible, you know, I mean, everybody can choose his own religion and can do whatever you want. And that's the whole meeting behind Holy Invaders. Okay, Alan, what do you got? Which one? I just want to know, is it really game over for the earth here? I mean, some of these songs, we got to start questioning what's going on. I mean, of course, I mean, it's quite popular at the moment that this word game over. I mean, we had a big flat here in Germany, in Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, and also all this fire was going on in the south of Europe, in California, in Tiberia and Russia, you know, it's like, if we are not, I think if we are not taking care of a lot of things, then we have a big game over, you know. So I mean, marching tank, is that you? Is that you? Are you the marching tank? That's me. Yeah, of course. I mean, it was also funny, you know, when we had this heavy song, this heavy riff, and then Sven, my son said, you know, they call you always like a German tank. So why are they not writing some lyrics about this? But you, you are the German tank, and you're always marching forward, you know, and say, okay, why not? And that's the idea. And then don't want to say goodbye. That's always what I look for it on the UDO albums, that ballad that you're adding more and more. There's at least one in every album, and here's another. And even in the accept days, even like, you know, with, you know, I'm trying to think, yeah, on balls to the wall, right? You had winter. Yeah, it was winter dreams. Yeah, winter dreams. Yeah, yeah, you've always loved the ballads. Yeah, I mean, I don't want to say goodbye. It's on one hand a very personal thing. But you can use this, I don't want to say goodbye, or for many reasons, you know, if somebody dying, you don't want to say goodbye, you know, and or isn't like your girlfriend, leaving you, your wife, boyfriend, or whatever, or maybe you're on holiday on a nice place, and you have to go home and then you say, oh, I don't want to say goodbye, you know, yeah, you can, you can, you can use this for many reasons, you know, but in a way, it's really personal stuff. Yeah, you know, I would find like, I listened to this whole album, it really has classic audio, it has classic accept, there's a lot of classic accept moments there too, right, Alan? Would you, would you, would you say there's a accept, I hear accept sound, you know, like the music sounds very except, and it also sounds like classic audio too. Yeah, of course, I mean, of course, the vocals are of course always remind of course, in a way, the old accept stuff, you know, but also some written stuff, you know, groove stuff, of course. I mean, definitely, Andre is also very much into that, and it was also interesting, also the, the, the dinners, you know, he was also like, yeah, it's great, you know, I love that. And so, I mean, the whole thing is a really good mix up, you know, there's a lot of different stuff going on, fast song, mid-tempo song, up-tempo song, ballads and so the whole, the whole thing, you know, and yeah, that's also that's why I like the album, you know, a lot of melodies on there and really good guitar work. And yeah, but cannot say, I'm happy. What about Sven and the younger generations of musicians, because I hear a lot of like, it's trying to keep the classic sound, but it's a whole new generation of playing that comes, that's what came across for me on this album, not only is the high standard of every UDO album, the consistency of every UDO album, but it's got this whole new kind of younger generation feel to it. That said that I feel the same, you know, this is like, you know, that was also why I was really open-minded to let them work, you know, let them do, and but I was, it would, there was not going too far away from the typical UDO stuff or etc, whatever. I mean, but they're interesting, they do little things, different arranging, different coming up with different ideas, you know, and then if you put everything together, that's the feeling, that is something fresh, you know, it's really fresh and young blood, and yeah, that's why I'm really, really happy with everything. You know, it's amazing, did you, when you first did Animal House, the first UDO album, did you think you're going to do 17 albums after that or 16 albums after that? Not really. It's like such a lot, so many albums ago, right? It's amazing. It's just like, I mean, now a real studio album, it's now 27 together with except albums, you know, just studio albums, so many things, other things around, you know, it's a huge catalog, I mean, really huge one. I think I was speaking to David Reese, he told me that, but you were recording the Animal House album at the same time they were writing Eat the Heat. Was that in the same studio or was that at the same time? No, that was on the album when we did Mean Machine. Mean Machine. That was on, they've been in the same studio, we're on Studio 3 and they're Studio 1. There you go. That was really funny, yeah. Isn't it weird? Was it awkward back then? No, it was not really weird, you know, I mean, we said hello once we were sitting together drinking wine and stuff like that, it was really easy, easy going, you know, nobody was really like angry or whatever. It was like, yeah, okay. And then we did also on Turn, but the song turned the wheel or something like that of Eat the Heat, with the whole gang of UDO the chorus, you know, I was singing in the studio. So I mean, no, that was at this time, that was in a way easy, I mean, easy going, you know, I was satisfied and I think they was also satisfied with what they're doing, you know, so here we go. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, when you think about it over that, like you said, that whole career, you know, going through grunge and the new metal and then the death metal and everything that's in between and even you guys have always, you know, done such consistent work and high quality work throughout that time. Yeah, but I think the fans appreciate it, you know, safe for what you are. And I think this is also an important thing, you know, that was happened. I go back a little bit to accept I was not really, or not, I'm not was not really agree what we did on death row. That was, you know, they tried to be really modern. I said, come on, just this is wrong, you know, or to only one guitar player. No. And in the end, I was right. So, but anyway, there are some good songs on death row like Sodom and Gomorrah. Yeah, I agree. I know what you're saying, you know, there was missing something, the second guitar, I agree with that, but there are some really good songs on that. That's true. They're really good songs, but there wasn't a sound anymore. There was something missing, you know, especially when we was going on tour with death row with only one guitar. Everybody said, poor, no, please. But anyway, talking about the future. What about touring? Okay, so. Touring. Another live stream like you did. Yeah, yeah. What is that touring? I forgot. Everybody forgot. You're getting comfortable now. You're getting comfortable. Yeah, but I mean, so it was not normally on tour in Russia at the moment, but also they moved it now to next year, February. And it looked like that you also have to cancel the European tour now. It's, you know, it makes no sense. So that means we move everything to next year. And I think in Europe it's getting better and better, you know, everything getting more and more normal. And yeah. So touring, yeah, touring the plan is the beginning of the year. We go to South America and Tripoli, Russia. And then after Russia, we do the whole European tour until, I don't know, middle of May, then coming up a lot of festivals. And so at the moment, I just get a schedule for next year. In September, we are coming to the West and Canada. That's the plan. All right. Okay. Good. Good. Good. You know, actually how you guys have such a big fan base in Russia. What do you think the appeal is for Russians to that they love your music so much? That's a good question. Andre told me once I was asking Andre, you know, of course he's Russian. And I mean, he was watching the first tour in Russia when he was a young guy, he was standing in the front of the stage, you know, and he said, the meaning for you, the whole atmosphere is like you have something, a Russian soul in your music. Don't ask me what it is. But you know, I mean, this is like Russia, it's amazing, you know, I mean, unbelievable, you know, not that many bands can tour that much, but we can do in Russia, you know, it's very, very, very interesting. They appreciate you very much. Okay. Of course, I was singing in Russian, blah, blah, blah. I mean, it helps. It helps. It helps also. Yeah. And yeah. So, I mean, Russia is a very important country for us. That's cool. That's cool. Alan. No, again, it's a great album and, you know, like we just spoke six months ago, but that live album that you did and, you know, you are such a high during that interview. Guys, you know, this is the feeling of playing live finally. And now, now we're live in Bulgaria. Alan, live in Bulgaria and we are one, right? Those are the two albums that like just, and now this one, are you ready to get another album now? Like maybe since as you're waiting for the next tour, I don't know. No, I mean, yeah, live in Bulgaria, there was also something special for us, you know, I mean, the promoter of Bulgaria, that he came up and said, yeah, I would love to do a show with UDO. And we said, yeah, yeah, okay. You know that we have pandemic and stuff like that. Yeah, we will, you will see. And then in the end, he came up, okay, everything is prepared, everything is fine. We have a, everything is secured, you know, in hygienic stuff and blah, blah, blah. Yeah. And then they showed us some pictures of the venue. And that was like, wow, that looks great, you know. And then we said, okay, come on, if you have the chance, we want to record this and film this, you know. So, and then he came up and said, yeah, no problem. We have a team in Bulgaria, they do this, they film this, we're recording we did it on our own. Yeah. And then, I don't know, I mean, we were thinking, okay, maybe 500, 800 people. And there was nearly 3000 coming, you know, it was like, wow, what is this, you know. And then we was asking them a couple of weeks later, what does something happen with some infections? And they said nothing, you know. Oh, good, good. So, I mean, so your next tour will be, come see Udo, you won't get COVID. 100% guaranteed. 100% guaranteed. Fine and tested. But I think, but you know, I think next year, I mean, it will be more, more normal, you know, and, I mean, of course, at the moment, there's a lot of bands are touring in America. Not in Canada. Not really, not much. I had a concert that just got moved back from November. I think it's gone to May of next year. So that is in a way, you know, sometimes we're also playing doing something here in Europe and cancel, cancel, cancel. And I think also we have to cancel and put all to everything on next year. So that means next year, everybody is on tour. Everybody's on tour. The last time we interviewed, we were lucky enough to have Sven with you. So how's that dynamic? He sees the one, hey, come on, let's go dad, we've got to get more and more stuff out. Or you're the one saying, hey, Sven, get on board with me. And he, you know, put down the X box, put down the X box. Yeah, I mean, but with Sven, I mean, of course, but he has a big problem at the moment about the flat, you know, his house is completely gone, the studio is gone. He cannot live in the house at the moment. And so they have to renovate everything. And it takes some time. Maybe he can move back next year in March or April, you know, yeah, this is completely. That's because of the flight? That was a flight? Yeah, unbelievable. You know, I mean, so and yeah, and I mean, yeah, with Sven, yeah, sorry, at the moment that we cannot work together, you know, normally I go sometimes to the studio in his house and do something, you know, like walking on some stuff, but at the moment also gone. And yeah, with Sven, Sven is really into everything, you know, it's like, oh, they like to do this and this and this. But, you know, it's also, that's also a good thing about the young people, especially the Dammers and my son, they are really into all that, and to old fashioned, but also in this social media stuff, you know, what we have to do and this and this and this, and this is also good, you know, for me, it's like, okay, what I have to do, tell me, you know, yeah, it's good to have young people, you know, so they really know exactly how that works and yeah, good. All right. Here's my last question. Your memories of singing, I just heard this the other day, born to be wild with a raven, yeah, yeah, wow, your memory, your quick memory with that, that's where you were singing really high. That was like the highs. If I remember correctly, there was alcohol involved. You told us there's lots of alcohol involved in that. There was a lot of alcohol involved, yeah. There was also a plan to do this, you know, we was in a studio and just Jimmy and Michael, Michael, well, you know, he was pushing the button, you know, record. And then he said, yeah, sound is great. And then raven, raven said, yeah, can we put it all in the air? Come on, why not, you know, that was really one take, of course. Oh, wow, that's pretty amazing. All right, that's pretty much it. Unless you have something you want to add, tell everybody about the new album. Yeah, but can I say the new album? I mean, I think it's a value for money, first, you know, I think, or I hope that the people like the new album, you know, and it's, I think it shows as the whole thing of UDO, you know, different stuff. And yeah, that's the only thing I can say, hope the people like it. And so we will see then what's going on with touring, and then definitely we play a couple of songs or also a new game over album. Perfect. So October 22nd on AFM Records. Yes. It's in a weekend a little bit or like 10 days. Yeah, nine days, nine days. Yeah, yeah. Well, thank you so much UDO for jumping on once again. I am right behind you. You know what, what it is, the lyrics, the lyrics is like, you know, if you know somebody behind you, you know, it's like we call it in, it's maybe the same word in English, I don't know, talking, you know, when always people go on your nerve, you know, they say, Hey, come on, where are you? You know, go on your phone and hello, you know, and then hello, who are you? There was also a Superman thing in there. It was midnight stranger. Yeah. It's also something, you know, the people, somebody, he feels like a stranger and he doesn't know really what's going on, maybe I'm Superman or what, you know, it's like, had a little bit to do with the pandemic stuff, you know, feeling like a stranger. All right. Yeah. Yep. All right, thanks UDO. Thank you so much. Have us a wonderful day and we'll talk very soon, I'm sure. Yeah, well, you know, when you release your next thing in three months or four months. Yeah, maybe you'll never know. Always, always great talking to you, always a pleasure. Okay, yeah, it's always nice, okay. All right, thanks UDO. Okay, take care. Bye bye. Bye bye. Bye bye.