When one thinks of that classic heavy metal voice, the musings often land on the great Mr. Udo Dirkschneider. His is that voice: the sandpaper over rusted metal, the two-pack-a-day unfiltered Pal Mal smoker of the 1940s, the male version of Mama in Throw Mama From the Train; to wit, Udo Dirkschneider is sultry. So it is with delicious aplomb that Mr. Dirkschneider has graced the metal community with a new album. My Way (Atomic Fire Records) is one hour and five minutes of lovingly crafted cover toons in which that voice croons and barks and puts nails on a chalkboard through classic metal, pop, and yes, even classic standards from 1968 and 1969. I would be remiss if I did not mention forthwith that I have been enamored with Udo Dirkschneider since his Accept days and many of the songs and artists he covers are among my favourite.

My Way starts out with a grounded guttural rendition of ‘Faith Healer’. Udo gets listeners in the mood with a song that drips and oozes sultriness. Dirkschneider then careens into an updated and thoroughly wicked rendition of Arthur Brown’s ‘Fire’. I’ve always loved this song and having Udo give it a sultry heavy metal treatment makes my toes curl! Udo goes on to cover songs by Uriah Heep, The Sweet, Motorhead, and AC/DC. Easy Peasy. The songs are a headbanging guttural joy to listen to.

 

But because Udo Dirkschneider is, well, Udo Dirkschneider, he gives us a Tina Turner cover, ‘They Call It Nutbush’. Apparently, Accept used to cover it in rehearsals. This version has horns. It’s Udo and a brass section with a stock heavy metal guitar solo. Yup. And just when you think your mind couldn’t be blown any more, Udo covers ‘The Stroke’ by Billy Squier. It is a bit stilted. Then, there is the pathos laden ‘Jealousy’, a Frankie Miller tune. Udo Dirkschneider is such a master at what he does, he legit takes Queen’s famous ‘We Will Rock You’ and Udo-izes it. It is nothing like the original, not even close. It is now an Udo Dirkschneider tune. Full Stop. The man is amazing and I love him.

Udo Dirkschneider’s My Way is a fun romp through music history. And for the first time ever, Udo sings in German for ‘Kein Zuruck’. It is a frakking thing of beauty. I’ve been waiting for this moment since 1983! The teenage metal head in me approves. I’m doubling down on my love of all things Udo. Udo Dirkschneider closes My Way with THE song. Yes, my friends, Udo Dirkschneider covers Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’. Mic. Drop.

 

Does this album work? Some songs do and some songs don’t. Does it matter? Not in the slightest as every tune is delightfully enjoyable. There is no argument, for me, that Udo Dirkschneider is the best heavy metal singer and has been for almost five decades. Gamjeong. Gefühlsregung.

 

Buy the album here: https://udo.afr.link/mywayYT

 

7 / 10

VICTORIA ANDERSON