Accept @ Hellfest, Clisson - June 19th, 2026

Accept arrives at Hellfest celebrating fifty years of heavy metal, and a festival slot suits the German institution perfectly. Their approach remains as Teutonic as ever: fast, efficient and utterly devoid of unnecessary embellishment. The lineup has changed considerably over the decades and, apart from guitarist Wolf Hoffmann, little remains of the classic incarnation. Yet Mark Tornillo, who took over vocal duties from Udo Dirkschneider in 2009, has now been fronting the band long enough to be considered part of the furniture himself.

Opening with "Metal Heart" is a bold move. When you lead with one of your signature songs, there is nowhere to hide. Fortunately, Accept has plenty left in reserve. "Fast as a Shark," featuring special guest Fredrik Åkesson of Opeth, arrives like a speed metal manifesto. "Restless and Wild" follows, while "Run If You Can" gains additional firepower from Queensrÿche singer Todd La Torre, who joins Tornillo for a spirited duet. And then, naturally, comes "Balls to the Wall," still one of heavy metal's ultimate rallying cries.

There are no deep cuts, no stylistic detours and no attempts to reinvent the formula. Some might call that conservative. Accept would probably call it common sense. After half a century, the band knows exactly what it does best. Taking risks is overrated. Playing to your strengths pays off.

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