Accept to Join KK's Priest for Full Metal Assault Tour in Riverside and El Cajon

German heavy metal pioneers Accept will be performing alongside KK’s Priest as part of the Full Metal Assault Tour. The tour will touch down at two Southern California venues: the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside on Friday, October 4, and The Magnolia in El Cajon on Saturday, October 5.

Accept, which formed in 1976, has played a crucial role in the development of the speed metal subgenre, despite initially not realising the impact their sound would have. "We discovered it by accident," said guitarist Wolf Hoffmann during a recent Zoom interview. "We never wanted to open up a whole new chapter of metal. We just had a bit of fun and liked what we were doing."

Hoffmann, the last original member of Accept, will perform alongside other band members Martin Motnik, Uwe Lulis, Mark Tornillo, and Christopher Williams. They will join forces with KK’s Priest, a band comprising former members of Judas Priest. "The tour gets two amazing old-school metal bands together, and it’s a great package between KK Priest and Accept," Hoffmann said.

Accept enjoys a rich history with a catalogue of over 17 studio albums, numerous lineup changes, and a strong fanbase that has continued to grow. Despite their fifth studio album, "Balls to the Wall," being their only certified gold record, the band's influence on metal music is undeniable. The current lead singer, Mark Tornillo, has helmed the vocals since 2009, and his tenure has seen a resurgence in the band’s popularity. "People realise we’re here, we make strong albums, and we put in the hours and effort," Hoffmann added.

Renowned for its socially aware lyrics, Accept's music often explores critical issues. The iconic 1983 single, "Balls to the Wall," is a notable example, urging solidarity against oppression. Their latest release, "Humanoid," published on April 26 by Napalm Records, continues this tradition. The album addresses contemporary issues such as artificial intelligence in the title track "Humanoid," which reflects on the potential dangers of technology. "Artificial intelligence is more present than ever... it's a scary thought that you can create stuff that looks and sounds amazing," Hoffmann remarked.

While Accept’s music addresses weighty themes, it also offers light-hearted tracks. Hoffmann noted that songs like "Straight Up Jack" serve as a drinking anthem, balancing the heavier tones present in tracks such as "The Reckoning."

Technological advancements have also transformed the band’s interaction with their audience and the music industry. Hoffmann reflected on the days when feedback from music magazines took months, contrasting with today’s instantaneous social media environment. "We used to do interviews three months early thinking about when the magazine would publish it. Nowadays, everything’s instantaneous," he said.

Despite being renowned for his speed metal guitar work, Hoffmann’s musical influences extend beyond heavy metal to classical composers like Tchaikovsky and Mozart. This eclectic inspiration led to solo projects like "Headbangers Symphony," which fuses orchestral elements with heavy metal.

The upcoming shows promise an electrifying experience for metal fans. Performances will kick off in Riverside at the Fox Performing Arts Center on October 4, followed by a show at The Magnolia in El Cajon on October 5. Tickets for the Riverside performance are available at $48 on LiveNation, while the El Cajon show ranges from $35 to $87.

Event Details:

  • Date and Time: 7 p.m., Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5
  • Venues:
    • Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside
    • The Magnolia, 210 E Main St., El Cajon
  • Tickets: Available on LiveNation.com

For straight-up heavy metal with a hint of classical inspiration, the Full Metal Assault Tour is set to be a standout event for music fans in Southern California.

Source: Noah Wire Services