Is U.D.O. Still With Accept?

For fans of heavy metal, the bond between Udo Dirkschneider and Accept is legendary. U.D.O., the gravel-throated frontman who helped define the German metal band’s early sound, has long been seen as the soul of Accept. But is U.D.O. still with the band? The short answer: no—and it’s been that way for quite a while.

Udo originally left Accept in 1987 to pursue his own band, U.D.O., which has remained active and consistently released new material since then. While there were brief reunions in the 1990s, Udo and Accept ultimately parted ways for good by the mid-2000s. In 2009, Accept returned with a new vocalist, Mark Tornillo, formerly of TT Quick, ushering in a new era for the band—one that still honors the legacy but is distinctly different from the U.D.O. days.

So, why the continued confusion? It’s understandable—Udo’s presence was so iconic that many fans still associate him with Accept’s identity. His raspy, high-pitched growls on tracks like Balls to the Wall and Fast as a Shark helped define not just the band but the genre. Plus, Udo still performs Accept classics with his own band, fueling nostalgia and keeping that chapter of metal alive.

Though the split has at times seemed tense—especially with rumors and interviews hinting at behind-the-scenes drama—it’s clear now that both Accept and U.D.O. are thriving in their own lanes. Still, for old-school fans, the dream of another reunion never truly dies.