Former Accept members Udo Dirkschnider and Stefan Kaufman continue to march on under the U.D.O. moniker.  And they are also sticking with the formula of releasing a teaser EP a few months before the full-length and gracing the cover with the Mastercutor character. Leatherhead should hold over the band’s following until Rev-Raptor comes out in late-May.

For those not paying attention, Mastercutor may look like a weird cross between The Crow and Dimmu Borigir’s Galder, but his name is short for Master Executioner. Mastercutor, the album, also was the first of the U.D.O. disc to really rely on the synthesized, buzzing guitars instead of the traditional Metal overdrive (which a Dirkschnier-less Accept floored everyone with on their 2010 release).  That leaves the Leatherhead EP sounding much like the last 2 U.D.O. full-lengths, which both had a production similar to W.A.S.P.’s K.F.D.  Surprisingly, that sound works well for U.D.O.

Okay, on to the meat and potatoes of the EP. “Leatherhead” takes off with the usual U.D.O. formula: Pulsating riffs, marching drums and the singers’ trademark sneering range.  The chorus is big, the solos blister and the clean picking makes for a great juxtaposition from the chunky riffs.  “Rock ‘N Roll Soldiers” will also appear on Rev-Raptor and the song is strangely identical to “Leatherhead.”  The only difference between the two tracks is that the chorus on “Rock N’ Roll Soldiers” is just a little bit larger and designed for audience participation.

Rounding out the EP are two studio tracks that originally appeared as exclusives on the Thundervision mini-DVD.  “Free or Rebellion” is massive, meaty, metallic and the best thing on the EP.  Better riffs, better vocals and better solos simply seal the deal. The different production also makes it sound more traditional than the slightly Industrial slant of the two newer tracks. “Run!,” however, is a ballsy power ballad that relies on pianos, synth-strings and the occasional riff. Dirkschnider’s voice barely shows his elder status and the melancholy mood of the track is an about-face from the crunch of the previous three tracks.

If you dug Mastercutor and Dominator, you’ll dig the material soon to also appear on Rev-Raptor. But it is the heafty double dip aspect that really drags on Leatherhead.  Even the bonus video for the title track really doesn’t make Leatherhead a necessary purchase.  And if you already own the Thundervision disc, what is the point of getting this?  Waiting for Rev-Raptor is better on the wallet.  Skip Leatherhead unless you just can’t get enough U.D.O.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Leatherhead
2.  Rock ‘N Roll Soldiers
3.  Free or Rebellion
4.  Run!

Total playing time:  18:59

Release Date: April 8, 2011
Label: AFM Records

U.D.O. - Leatherhead EP

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

April 15, 2011