ACCEPT: Helsinki, Stockholm Dates Added

Following their eagerly awaited return to the live stage at the almost-sold-out Gramercy Theatre in New York City, reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT will be heading to Europe to perform special shows in carefully handpicked venues in various European capitals.

ACCEPT has chosen to play these publicity concerts in small, intimate settings to get close to its longtime fans.

After a decade-long absence, ACCEPT wants to make this a special "thank you" to its European fans, who will be able to attend specially arranged meet-and-greet sessions at each of these shows. In addition, the band will be available for autograph sessions, photo opportunities and interviews during this short trek.

Confirmed dates so far are as follows:

May 08 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theater
May 11 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Forum Palace
May 14 - Moscow, Russia - B1 Maximum
May 15 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Lensoveta Theater
May 18 - Helsinki, Finland - Virgin Oil Co.
May 20 - Stockholm, Sweden - Debaser Slussen
May 26 - London, UK - Islington O2 Academy *

* Not officially confirmed by the band

The remaining dates and locations will be announced within the next few days.

Rumors surrounding these shows have started to pop up all over the Internet due to the exceptionally high anticipation around the world to hear and see the new ACCEPT lineup — featuring the band's latest addition, vocalist Mark Tornillo (ex-TT QUICK) — perform.

In an effort to keep the arrangements a surprise for the fans, ACCEPT has had a difficult time lining up these concerts. Only one or two shows per country will be finalized and not all nations will be included as ACCEPT has a very limited amount of time available before it focuses on promoting its upcoming comeback album.

Following the CD's release and the intimate European "fan-focused" shows, preparations for a full-fledged world tour will start this summer.

"We can't wait to go out and play again," said bassist Peter Baltes. "Just because [former ACCEPT singer] Udo Dirkschneider isn't available to take part in the reunion doesn't mean we'll have to sit idle any longer. We feel Mark is the perfect fit. Mark is an experienced veteran singer who is aware of the ACCEPT legacy and his voice fits the sound of ACCEPT perfectly.

"Wolf [Hoffmann, guitar] and I have always been the songwriting team — most of the classic ACCEPT tunes were written that way; together with Deaffy, a.k.a. Gaby Hoffmann, as a lyricist."

ACCEPT recently completed recording its new album, tentatively titled "Blood Of Nations", at Backstage Studio in Derbyshire, England with acclaimed British producer and SABBAT guitarist Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, NEVERMORE). The CD — which will mark the recording debut of Tornillo — will include around 14 tracks and be released before the summer via an as-yet-undetermined record label. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "The Abyss", "Shades Of Death", "Blood Of Nations", "Pandemic" and "Teutonic Terror".

BLABBERMOUTH.NET in December uploaded exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions for the new ACCEPT album. The six-and-a-half-minute clip, which includes interview footage with Sneap and members of the band, as well as audio samples of the group's new material, can be viewed below.

Regarding Tornillo's addition to ACCEPT, Hoffmann previously said, "It all happened in minutes. Peter and I were working on some tunes in a studio in New Jersey. Somebody suggested we give this guy Mark a call to see if he would join us on vocals. So when he arrived we started jamming on some old ACCEPT tunes — just for fun. As soon as Mark started singing we looked at each other and realized the impossible just happened: we found a new voice for ACCEPT! The timing could not have been better! Now or never... We are re-energized and excited..."

TT QUICK was a popular club band during the 1980s in the New York and New Jersey area and was known for the guitar work of David Dipietro and the powerful vocals of Mark Tornillo. Dipietro's skills were especially singled out as he had given lessons to both Zakk Wylde of the OZZY OSBOURNE band and SKID ROW's Dave Sabo.

TT QUICK disbanded and later reunited sporadically and released a few more albums, including a live CD from one of their reunion gigs ("Thrown Together Live") and a studio effort, "Ink", which came out in 2000.

ACCEPT 2010 is:

Wolf Hoffmann: Guitar
Peter Baltes: Bass
Herman Frank: Guitar
Mark Tornillo: Vocals
Stefan Schwarzmann: Drums

Video footage of ACCEPT's recent appearance on VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" can be viewed below.

ACCEPT on VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show":

ACCEPT in the studio: