UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER's Son SVEN Joins U.D.O. As Band's Drummer

Sven Dirkschneider, the 21-year-old son of legendary ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, has joined Udo's long-running band U.D.O. as the group's drummer.

Comments U.D.O. in a statement: "His drumming has simply convinced us most. His style of playing drums is fresh and really grooves heavily. It simply is exactly what we need for U.D.O. We also know that Sven fits perfectly into the band family. He has been working as a drum tech for us for more than four years and we know from several world tours that everyone likes him and gets along with him perfectly."

Sven, who is now the youngest member of U.D.O., is no stranger to the touring life, has worked behind the scenes for his father and spent time on tour buses for as long as he can remember. And he felt at a very early age that this could be his world as well. After getting his high school diploma, he started studying media design and event production.

Sven will make his live debut with U.D.O. on March 6 in Würzburg, Germany.

"It is a very special feeling to be a part of my father's band," says Sven. "I somehow have always been around with the band since I can remember. But I have never dreamed of being a real band member one day."

U.D.O.'s new studio album, "Decadent", was released in Europe on January 26 via AFM.

With recordings having taken place in Udo's current home, Spanish island Ibiza, and also at Redhead Audio Productions in Wilhelmshaven, this new album looks set to be yet another great statement of intent from a rock idol whose place in rock history is already well cemented.

"Decadent" was made available in the following formats: digipak, standard CD, black vinyl, colored vinyl, and as a limited-edition fanbox.

U.D.O. in 2012 announced the addition of guitarist Andrey Smirnov to the group's ranks. He replaced Stefan Kaufmann, who left the group for health reasons.