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НазадAccept- Trouble Shooters(Hit Parader, September 1986, pp. 20-21)One of the most entertaining aspects of rock and roll is trying to predict which bands will emerge as the future superstars of the industry. No matter if you're a fan of dance music or heavy metal, it's fun to feel you've discovered a band near the beginning of their career and followed their path to the top. One band that remains a favorite choice of metal fans to become the proverbial "next big thing" is Accept, the German hard rockers who have been sitting on the precipice of international stardom for the last five years. After such an extended period of being labeled "potential superstars," however, will Accept ever cast aside the contender's cloak and assume their position atop the metal heap? That question has been haunting guitarists Wolf Hoffmann and Jorg Fischer, vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, bassist Peter Baltes and drummer Stefan Kaufmann with an unyielding passion. Despite the critical acclaim recieved by their recent effort, Metal Heart and their latest LP Russian Roulette, Accept has yet to establish themselves as anything more than a marginal commercial entity, a fact that leaves Hoffmann, for one, a bit perplexed. "I'm not sure what we have to do to become more successful," he said during a recent visit to America. "We don't want to change the style that has made Accept popular in the first place. We're not trying to become the biggest band in the world in the next week or two. We want to build our following slowly by touring and releasing good albums. We are still confident that we can do that." Despite Hoffmann's claim that Accept has no intention of altering their musical style in order to increase their following, some metal pundits have critisized the band for pandering to American radio tastes on their most recent releases. Unlike the band's earliest albums, such as Breaker and Restless And Wild, which were raw outpourings of metal power, Accept has noticeably polished their hard rock attack since procuring an American record deal in 1983. By doing so, they have lost some of their initial support while gaining a new legion of fans. "Of course, we hope to appeal to the longtime Accept fans as well as make new friends with each album," Hoffmann explained. "It is true that Accept has changed a little over the years, but that change has only been for the better. We still play the same way we always have, but we have learned to take some of the rougher edges off the music. It still hits with the same power it's always had, but more people can relate to it now. That growth is something we're very proud of." It has been postulated that one of the principle reasons for Accept's conversion to a more accessible metal direction is the incredible success of their countrymen, the Scorpions. But unlike the Scorps, Accept has so far failed to record a song accessible enough for American radio to pick up on. That, Hoffmann promises, is something the band hopes to change on their latest album. "Since we are spending a great deal of time in America each year, we would very much like to record a song that would be a big success on radio and MTV," he said. "Thinking that way was a big change for us because coming from Europe, we never really understood how important a song like that is in America. In Europe, there are fans of heavy metal, and they all wear black leather and drive motorcycles. In America, it's not like that at all. Many different types of people like all different types of music. Somebody who listens to Madonna can also listen to Deep Purple. That is because of radio and MTV. To become very successful in America, we have to appeal to that audience." It's understandable that Accept's attention is focused so intently on the MTV/radio market considering the failure of Metal Heart to reach that audience despite the band's concerted efforts. Particularly with video, Accept is determined to break their image as a faceless group and finally establish themselves as true heavy-weight metal merchants. "I've been told that the band needs a stronger image," bassist Peter Baltes said with a heavy accent. "I don't understand exactly what that is. I think we look good onstage, and our records sound very good. What else is there?" "This band has a lot of character," a spokesman for their record label said. "There has been some resistance from MTV and other media outlets to get behind them, but that will all change in the near future. We're determined to make Accept one of the biggest bands around. To my eyes and ears, they have it all. All we've got to do is make them recognizable both musically and personally. But they're a good looking band, and the music really rocks. If we can't make them happen, there's something very wrong." With such confident record company executives behind them, Accept agree that 1986 will be the year they finally reach the lofty plateau long predicted for them. Of course, they're not scared of the prospect of having to work their asses off for everything they get. "We're prepared to do whatever it takes to become as successful as we want to be," Hoffmann explained. "We will tour, tour, tour and do anything else that will help us. We know that many people expect great things from us, and that's good because we expect just as much, if not more, from ourselves. We like the challenge of becoming successful. We're ready to take on that challenge and emerge victorious." Перевод - Дмитрий Doomwatcher Бравый Журнал Hit Parader (США) сентябрь 1986 Один из самых интересных аспектов рок-н-ролла – попытки предугадать, какая же группа станет в будущем супер звездами музыкальной индустрии. И не важно, от чего вы фанатеете от танцевальной музыки или от heavy metal, прикольно открывать для себя группу, причем почти в самом начале карьеры и следить за их восхождением на вершину. Группа Accept остается любимым выбором для фанатов металла и общепризнанными "подающими надеждами новыми звездами". Последние лет пять эти немецкие хард рокеры вот-вот превратятся в звезд мирового уровня.
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