ACCEPT — Restless and Wild (review)

ACCEPT — Restless and Wild album cover Album · 1982 · Heavy Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
thellama73
This was Accept's real breakthrough album. Sure, Balls to the Wall would be their biggest hit, but this is where they really got it together. The album is not 100% consistent and there are a few duds, but there are also a number of truly classic metal moments here, including what many have cited as the first example of "speed metal." I'm referring of course to the breakneck opener, "Fast as a Shark," which begins with a scratchy recording of some German polka music before launching into a full on thrash assault. Fast as a shark, indeed.

The title track keeps things moving, before the album gets bogged down in two sub-par numbers "Ahead of the Pack" and "Shake Your Heads." At this point, the new listener may be concerned that the this is a one hit record, but not to worry. Things are about to pick up considerably.

I have heard some people complain about "Neon Nights," but for me it is one of the album's highlights. It is certainly more atmospheric and experimental than anything else found here, and I consider it a triumph for the band.

Side 2 is filled with punchy rockers with good riffs, and is pretty solid all the way to the final track, "Princess of the Dawn." This last is the longest song on the album, and it is epic, folks. A real game changer. With it's sci-fi lyrics, persistent middle tempo and breathtaking sweep-style guitar solo, it almost sounds like a different band. It's definitely the best song here, and my only regret is that it cuts out suddenly in the middle of a word. I guess it's just the band members poling fun at their own heaviness.

"Restless and Wild" isn't a perfect album, but it is a classic and contains many prototypes that would be very influential to other bands. Four stars.
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