Udo Dirkschneider

Infobox musical artist
Name = Udo Dirkschneider

---

Img_capt = Dirkschneider (in center) live with "U.D.O.", 2004
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name =
Born = birth date and age|1952|4|6
Died =
Origin = Wuppertal, Germany
Instrument = Vocals
Genre = Heavy metal
Hard rock
Thrash metal
Speed metal
Occupation = Musician, Songwriter
Years_active = 1976 – Present
Label = Nuclear Blast, Epic/Sony, PolyGram
Associated_acts = Accept
U.D.O.
Lordi
Aria
URL =
Notable_instruments =

Udo Dirkschneider (born April 6 1952, Wuppertal, Germany) is a German heavy metal singer who was formerly the vocalist in German heavy metal band Accept.

After the demise of Accept in 1987, Dirkschneider formed the band U.D.O.. He consequently paused and restarted his band after reverting to Accept on occasion.

In 1999 Hammerfall recorded a version of Helloween's hit song I Want Out, With both Udo, and Kai Hansen making a guest appearance. Udo Help Back-up sing Will Kai and Joacim Cans sang lead. Udo also appeared as a guest singer for Hammerfall on a version of Accepts Head Over Heels.

Recently, Dirkschneider made a guest appearance on (Eurovision Song Contest winners) Lordi's 2006 album, The Arockalypse. Mr Lordi claims both "Don't Look Back" and "Blitz of Lightning" by U.D.O. as songs that changed his life in a Kerrang! magazine article. He also makes a guest appearance in the music video for the song "Shtil' (Штиль)" by Russian heavy metal band Aria [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h40gLEe7J-0&mode=related&search=shtil] .

Dirkschneider recorded lead vocals with NWOBHM-band Raven on their cover of Born to Be Wild on a 1983 single release. The song also appeared as B-side on "Break the Chain" from their album All for One. UDO is also famous for his duet rock ballad with Doro Pesch "Dancing with an angel".

The character Dark Schneider in the Japanese manga and anime series "Bastard!!" is named after Dirkschneider.

Udo is well known for his unique voice, short stature, camouflage clad image and short blonde hair. On Wacken 2008 he performed live with Lordi the song "They Only Come Out At Night".

Discography

Accept

Studio albums

* "Accept" (1979)
* "I'm a Rebel" (1980)
* "Breaker" (1981)
* "Restless and Wild" (1982)
* "Balls to the Wall" (1983)
* "Metal Heart" (1985)
* "Russian Roulette" (1986)
* "Objection Overruled" (1993)
* "Death Row" (1994)
* "Predator" (1996)

Live albums

* "Kaizoku-Ban" (Live, 1985)
* "Staying a Life" (Live, 1990)
* "Live In Japan" (Live, 1992)
* "All Areas - Worldwide" (Live, 1997)
* "The Final Chapter" (Live, 1998)

EPs

* "Rich & Famous" (EP, 2002)

U.D.O.

Studio albums

* "Animal House" (1987)
* "Mean Machine" (1988)
* "Faceless World" (1990)
* "Timebomb" (1991)
* "Solid" (1997)
* "No Limits" (1998)
* "Holy" (1999)
* "Man And Machine" (2002)
* "Thunderball" (2004)
* "Mission No. X" (2005)
* "Mastercutor" (2007)

Live albums

* "Live From Russia" (2001)
* "Nailed To Metal - The Missing Tracks" (2003)

Compilation albums

* "Best Of" (1999)
* "Metallized" (2007)

Singles/EPs

* "They Want War" (1988)
* "Heart Of Gold" (1990)
* "Faceless World" (1990)
* "Two Faced Woman" (1997)
* "Independence Day" (1997)
* "Lovemachine" (1998)
* "Dancing With An Angel" (2002)
* "24/7" EP (2005)
* "The Wrong Side Of Midnight" EP (2007)

DVDs

* "Nailed To Metal - The Complete History" (2003)
* "Thundervision" (2004)

Duets

In the year 1999 recorded the Helloween song I Want Out. U.D.O. was performed the rock ballad with Doro Pesch "Dancing with an Angel", with Hammerfall the version of Accepts Head Over Heels. He sing on Wacken 2008 live with Lordi the song "They Only Come Out At Night" and was guest singer by the Lordi songs "Don't Look Back" and "Blitz of Lightning". He was Guest by Aria song Shtil. He sing the lead vocals by the Raven cover of Born to Be Wild on a 1983.

External links

* [http://www.udo-online.de Official web site]
* [http://www.hardradio.com/shockwaves/udo1.html HardRadio.com interview with Udo Dirkschneider]