On the eve of their first ever Australian tour to support their latest studio album “Blind Rage” I was lucky enough to speak with Wolf Hoffman, founding member and lead guitarist of German heavy metal legends Accept. Here’s what Wolf had to tell me
Blind Rage is a phenomenal album, when heading into the studio to record it did you have a specific goal in mind that you were trying to achieve?
WOLF: No… not at all. It is amazing for me, that if I am in a creative mood, the ideas come faster but that does not say, that the ideas are better as when I am elaborating for hours on a riff for instance … There are 3 phases: fist I collect ideas. Peter does the same and phase 2 is, we get together and than all kinds of things are happening…. We work that way since we have been 16 years old…long time, great time and always very very exciting – but not painless either …of course. At that time we mostly have a hook line, a title an idea… and once the song is there, we need Mark to work on our ideas or his… he is very good with words, very!
After being such an important part of the metal scene for so many years do you feel its any added pressure when you head into the studio or is it just second nature when working on new material?
WOLF: no…we are way too humble to even think that way. I am my worst critical enemy …known for it.
Blind Rage has some very hard hitting heavy tracks as well as some more melodic based songs as well. Do you try and keep this balance in mind when working on songs?
WOLF: yes, we love to make sure we do have a balanced selection – but that happens when we are listening to the songs – all of them. That is a dificult process, as the songs are changing over time – not only from the way we play – they morph in themselves and at the end …. together
Being considered one of the pioneers of the Genre are there any up and coming bands you see today that you feel inspired by or feel are going to be the next big thing
WOLF: There are many…too many. And – I am probably a bit old fashion… usually my the old giants win…
Now after your long and illustrious career this is the first time you are heading to Australia, what took so long?
WOLF: yeah …what took us so long? When we stopped working in 1996 the world was a different place and bot many – if any – German Bands went to AUSTRALIA. We are back since 2010 and honestly we toured constantly – it never really worked out time wise. But now It did and I bet – we will come back as soon as we have a chance. I have a feeling – AUSTRALIA is going to be very goo to us!!!
Is there anything in particular you are looking forward to doing while you are here?
WOLF: We do not have a minute …the schedule is petty gruesome … but one day – I hope,we can spent some time between the shows in your great country!
What should the Australian fans expect to get when Accept hit the stage here for the first time ever
WOLF: A hot show … and lot’s of singing and head banging ..blood, sweat and tears…. ok, cut out the blood :-) We can only be as good as the audience is. I live of the energy they send me and Peter feels the same! These are the moments we live for – today more than ever before – to be able to give everything we have to get back everything the fans have … Looking forward to be seeing you!
“Blind Rage” is available now and tickets are still available to the following shows but selling fast. One show has already sold out
Friday 14th. Factory Theatre. Sydney
w/ Special Guests – Darker Half & Temtris
Saturday 15th. Corner Hotel. Melbourne *SOLD OUT*
w/ Special Guests Mason & Elm Street.
Sunday 16th. The Hi Fi. Brisbane
w/ Special Guests Gorefield and Asylum.
Monday 17th. Corner Hotel. Melbourne *2nd Show*
w/ Special Guests Mason & Harlott
http://www.metropolistouring.com/tour.php?tour=2014_accept
http://www.acceptworldwide.com
http://www.facebook.com/accepttheband
http://www.twitter.com/accepttheband
