Accept, one of the biggest Teutonic heavy metal forces, had problems during early 1990s, just like so many other metal bands. Grunge had eaten a big portion of metal music's pie, thanks to record labels pushing it to public like no tomorrow. And public was so thrilled about something new... However, Accept didn't touch grunge, but they still tried to sell their platters in the USA, where guitarist Wolf Hoffmann was now living in. Nothing wrong with that, definitely, but for the fans of Teutonic metal, it wasn't the best of choices to go and do it differently.

So this is what happened when a German heavy metal legend gets USA-fied! And Ozzy-fied, of course. Guitarist Wolf Hoffmann's love for AC/DC never was a secret affair, and this is not the first album where this trait was heard. On their 1989 album 'Eat the Heat' they had an US vocalist, and hair "metal" thing going on. I think Accept's Teutonic touch and trademark melodies got reduced more and more after vocalist Udo Dirkschneider's 1993 comeback album 'Objection Overruled' (which was a totally Accept-sounding album), up to this, his last ever Accept album. By the way, this also features another forming member, the bassist Peter Baltes, but the drummer is a session one.

'Predator' is quite a varying album, which quite probably may be the result of a band starting to break up. The opener is a AC/DC rocker with some Hoffmann's lead guitar magic, which makes it Accept together with Udo's very much unique raspy, shrieking and insane voice. Cowbell on the beginning of 'Crossroads'! And a weird vocalist... Wait, it is Mr. Baltes, returning behind the mic after a long time! Udo takes the control soon, even though the song continues as a duet, while Wolf put out his best trademark guitar melody: The most Accept song on offer, right here.

'Making Me Scream' has some Helmet-ish stop-and-go rhythms and Mid-Eastern melody, but also contains rather driving Accept part. However, the album get more US-style with 'Diggin' the Dirt', bluesy yet heavy rocking and drops the German bits. Mötley Crüe did this kind of heaviness much better on their self-titled album... Why? One main reason is that it's nothing too catchy!

On 'Lay It down' it is time for Mr. Baltes to take the lead vocals. He's actually a good vocalist, if not at all unique, but very hard rocking one. The chorus of this hard rocker is hugely anthemic, exactly what actually was needed after the previous song. Lazier bluesy rock happens next on 'It Ain't over yet', with more of Baltes's vocals and Wolf's quality lead guitaring. Man, I feel Jeff Healey vibes... Which in a way isn't a bad thing at all, but on an Accept album..?! Yes.

The title track gets back to heavy things, but maybe a tad too much so, because the melodiousness is basically absent. Lovely cat vibes on guitar, though! Faceless rocker 'Crucified' is saved by its lead guitar work, weirdly reminding about Arch Enemy. More of them forgettable songs follow, as 'Take out the Crime' and 'Don't Give a Damn' really has nothing to save them from mediocrity. And that word... It doesn't go with Accept to me! 'Run through the Night' has that touchy vibe that the band can do without sounding fluffy, and easily is one of them highlights. But... 'Primitive'... Now this is the fucking last nail, really! Accept doing something like poppy Genesis (even though they had much better pop songs compared to this) or something in more hard rock and heavy metal style. Just. Doesn't. Fucking. Work. I do not wonder that Udo skipped doing vocals for this song.

The production is very good, except for the drums, which sound way too produced. Mr. Hoffmann was the sole guitarist here, and while there are moments with several simultaneous guitar tracks, we also hear him playing his guitar without other guitar tracks. Udo's vocals at times do have some effect on them, making it less raw of course. Now this is a good time to mention, that big gang vocals are present! A total Accept trait, that.

Udo Dirkschneider left after this, but had had his band U.D.O which made a comeback. 'Predator' was the last Accept album for a long, long time. The band went on a 14-year hiatus, but managed to pull a great comeback. While 'Predator' remains one of them worst Accept album for me, it's far from a totally shabby one. I mean if this was by a random band, it could feel so much better, because this drops the trademark traits of the band too often. I do not count this kind of thing ever on the final score, though. But still... This is what it is: Not a totally bad album, but one of the least Accept-ish ones from them certainly. But, you know, these things always happened...

Rating: 6 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
04/04/2021 17:38