| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING Fear Detector Holy Invaders Prophecy Empty Eyes I See Red Metal Never Dies Kids & Guns Like A Beast Don't Wanna Say Goodbye Unbroken Marching Tank Thunder Road Midnight Stranger Speed Seeker Time Control Metal Damnation |  |
| Release Date: October 22, 2021 Label: AFM Records Website: www.udo-online.de www.facebook.com/udoonline www.instagram.com/u.d.o.official www.twitter.com/udoonline | U.D.O. IS: Udo Dirkschneider - Vocals Andrey Smirnov - Guitars Sven Dirkschneider - Drums Tilen Hudrap - Bass Dee Dammers - Guitars |
There are so many legends out there that have been doing music for close to five decades now, and while they're still going, most are starting to apply pressure to the brakes. However, Udo Dirkschneider is doing the exact opposite. The man is 70 years old, and is still touring and releasing music like there's no tomorrow, and his voice is showing no signs of wear and tear, which is simply amazing. Speaking of which, he and the U.D.O. band released the huge collaboration album We Are One last year, which they recorded with the Concert Band Of The German Armed Forces (Das Musikkorps der Bundeswehr). In 2021, the band released their seventeenth studio album Game Over. Before even hearing a single note from the new album, I knew exactly what we were in for, and that was straightforward, textbook heavy metal from one of the all time legendary voices. This would also serve as the first proper U.D.O. studio album since 2018's Steelfactory, not counting We Are One, to feature the current lineup.
The main issue I have with the album has to do with the amount of songs featured, which shouldn't be that surprising, as I've stated that many times in past reviews. Putting 16 songs on a studio album is a pretty ballsy move. Now, given that all the songs reach respectable running times, with only four songs reaching over 5 minutes, seeing a track listing with 16 songs can draw mixed reactions. Half will get excited that there's so much music to listen to, while the other half might be put off. Many people like to listen to an album in one session, and by the time they reach the halfway point, the attention span begin to wane. That's why I always say 9-11 songs on a record is perfect. Always leave your fans wanting more. It's like going over to someone's house and they prepare way too much food. While all the food is delicious (with some being more delicious than others), it seems like the hosts were being a bit overly generous, and Game Over certainly feels like that.
However, there are more than a few standout moments like "Holy Invaders", "Metal Never Dies", "Midnight Stranger" and "Speed Seeker". This album could've easily deleted 4-6 tracks to make it a more cohesive album. While the title Game Over refers to what life may feel like at some point due to our continuous treatment of the world, it feels like just a collection of songs rather than a complete album that flowed in any sort of narrative or cohesive fashion. It just feels bloated.
The main issue I have with the album has to do with the amount of songs featured, which shouldn't be that surprising, as I've stated that many times in past reviews. Putting 16 songs on a studio album is a pretty ballsy move. Now, given that all the songs reach respectable running times, with only four songs reaching over 5 minutes, seeing a track listing with 16 songs can draw mixed reactions. Half will get excited that there's so much music to listen to, while the other half might be put off. Many people like to listen to an album in one session, and by the time they reach the halfway point, the attention span begin to wane. That's why I always say 9-11 songs on a record is perfect. Always leave your fans wanting more. It's like going over to someone's house and they prepare way too much food. While all the food is delicious (with some being more delicious than others), it seems like the hosts were being a bit overly generous, and Game Over certainly feels like that.
However, there are more than a few standout moments like "Holy Invaders", "Metal Never Dies", "Midnight Stranger" and "Speed Seeker". This album could've easily deleted 4-6 tracks to make it a more cohesive album. While the title Game Over refers to what life may feel like at some point due to our continuous treatment of the world, it feels like just a collection of songs rather than a complete album that flowed in any sort of narrative or cohesive fashion. It just feels bloated.
FINAL RATING
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