UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER Discusses 'Basta Ya' Spanish-Language Song From New U.D.O. Album

A fan-made video for the song "Basta Ya" from U.D.O., the German metal band led by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, can be seen below. The track comes off U.D.O.'s new album, "Steelhammer", which was released on May 24 via AFM Records. The CD was produced by Dirkschneider and the band's bassist, Fitty Wienhold.

"Basta Ya" is sung in Spanish and is a duet between Dirkschneider and Spanish vocalist (and member of band WARCRY) Vitor Garcia. The song holds a special meaning for Dirkscheider, as he and Wienhold have lived on the island of Ibiza for some four years.

"Basta Ya" is a typical rallying slogan known in all Spanish speaking countries, and although a protest against injustice, is also a cry of motivation to force change. To Dirkschneider, who sees a lack of opportunity for Europe's young people, it's an important slogan and topic.

"This is something I really think about a lot," Dirkschneider tells MetalTalk.net of the reason for writing the song, and singing it in the native language. "I'm a family man myself, a father of two, now adult kids, who both just started their working life. Young people need chances, opportunities to reach something. What's happening in Spain right now, is a long way away from this. It's obvious that a whole generation is in fear of losing their livelihood."

And he's certainly not wrong... Spain is a country where the effects of the Euro crisis have left their mark unmistakably, with an unemployment rate of 50% among adolescents and a real lack of prospects for young people.

"The youth of Europe is in a unique situation at the moment," Dirkschneider continues. "They are the first generation to grow up in a united Europe and therefore the first who have to deal with the circumstances this brings. However hard their respective situation might be, they hold the future in their hands."