ACCEPT 'Turning Back Time' With Sold-Out NYC Show

The first-ever concert by the new lineup of the reformed legendary heavy metal band ACCEPT — which is scheduled to take place on May 8 at the 750-capacity New York City's Gramercy Theatre — has officially sold out.

States ACCEPT's guitarist and founding member Wolf Hoffmann: "We are so very happy and humbled!

"When we got the news, we could not believe it!

"When we ha[d] been thinking about how to come back, we all talked about the times when ACCEPT started. I guess we all loved it most to play in these small, oversold clubs where it was so hot that the water was dripping from the ceiling AND from me, as I have been always the tallest and the closest to the darn hot lights. However, this closeness to the fans who are screaming bloody murder right into your face.... how we missed that!!!

"ACCEPT wanted to turn back time and do it this way again and — here we are! First show with [new vocalist] Mark [Tornillo] is 'sold out' and not in any club... no... at the Gramercy in New York! We got it!!! And now... let's sweat together..."

Following the New York City show, ACCEPT will head to Europe to perform special gigs 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.

"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."

Nuclear Blast Records has set a September 14 tentative North American release date for "Blood Of Nations", the new studio album from ACCEPT. The band's 15th LP 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".

ACCEPT recently filmed a video for the song " Teutonic Terror" in Los Angeles.

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