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Mr. Dirkschneider is a living legend and he is, even at the age of 53, in possession of one of the most unique and powerful voices that the entire metal spectrum has to offer. The metal heart is still pounding but I can't really see the point of keeping on releasing solo albums now that a reunited Accept has been out on the roads. Why not go for the jackpot and work on a new Accept album instead? Seems like a situation not unlike the Ozzy / Black Sabbath issue. Anyway, as long as U.D.O. keeps on releasing killer music I don't care too much about what he decides to label it as and that is exactly what he does once again. "Mission No. X" begins with a solid opener in the title track which does not stand out as one of the stronger ones of the album but warms up the listener nicely in time for the impressive guitar solos and catchy vocals of the single hit "24/7". What goes up must eventually come down but now we take a deep plunge into the ocean of meaninglessness. "Mean Streets" is apparently U.D.O.'s attempt at sounding fresh and modern but when you already are a metal icon of immense importance what is the point of doing something like this? It's ok to put it on the single but it should not have found its way to the full-length album.
"Primecrime On Primetime" has a rather boring main riff but a very nice instrumental section a couple of minutes into the song with both lead and rhythm guitars working side by side. Then we slow down and relax with the melancholic ballad "Eye Of The Eagle". There are extremely few bands and artists who can pull off hard rock or metal ballads without resulting in boredom and a copycat feeling but U.D.O. yet again impresses me greatly. We are not allowed to rest for long because the following "Shell Shock Fever" is one of the most intense songs to be found on the album. "Stone Hard" is built around a simple but efficient riff and "Breaking Down The Borders" has an equally simple sing-along friendly chorus. The second ballad of the album - "Cry Soldier Cry" - make me want to skip to the next song but by now U.D.O. begins to appear as a large recycling factory even though "Mad For Crazy" is a decent closing track. "Mission No. X" has disappointed a few already but even if it doesn't top "Thunderball" and of course not the early Accept releases, Udo will always be Udo and you know what you get.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Mission No. X |
| 2. 24/7 |
| 3. Mean Streets |
| 4. Primecrime On Primetime |
| 5. Eye Of The Eagle |
| 6. Shell Shock Fever |
| 7. Stone Hard |
| 8. Breaking Down The Border |
| 9. Cry Soldier Cry |
| 10. Way Of Life |
| 11. Mad For Crazy |
: 47.25
| Buy other U.D.O. albums |
