ACCEPT Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS

Reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records. Due late summer, the band's 15th album, "Blood Of Nations", was recorded 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 the band's latest addition, vocalist Mark Tornillo (ex-TT QUICK) — will contain around 14 tracks, including "Shades Of Death", "Blood Of Nations", "Pandemic", " Teutonic Terror" and "The Abyss".

Commented Gaby Hoffmann and Deville Schober of ACCEPT's management company, "We really appreciate the cooperation with Nuclear Blast. ACCEPT finally found a powerful partner to create a big international impact. Nuclear Blast got a lot of experience and the power to push ACCEPT into new dimensions!"

Added Andy Siry, label manager of Nuclear Blast: "We are very proud to declare the signing of ACCEPT!

"Like a lot of people out there, employees of Nuclear Blast have grown up with songs like 'Restless And Wild', 'Breaker' and 'Balls To The Wall'. It's an honor to us!

"ACCEPT found a new voice with Mark Tornillo and working together with sucessful producer Andy Sneap will cause an amazing record — a gift for the fans out there! This album will become a milestone in the history of ACCEPT!"

ACCEPT recently filmed a video for the song " Teutonic Terror" in Los Angeles. A photo from the video shoot can be viewed below.

"The Abyss" was premiered on Eddie Trunk's "Friday Night Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM and then again on KNAC.COM's "The Vault" on March 21 with host DJ Will.

A reduced-quality, incomplete version of the track is now available for streaming in the YouTube clip below (as recorded off the KNAC.COM online stream).

Following their eagerly awaited return to the live stage at the almost-sold-out Gramercy Theatre in New York City, 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.

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."

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..."

ACCEPT 2010 is:

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