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Accept — Humanoid (Napalm)

When it comes to trad metal par excellence, Accept no substitute.

Almost half a century down the line and the ultimate Teutonic powerhouse continues to enjoy a rage-fuelled renaissance — Humanoid is hellishly good.

Helmed by tungsten-lunged frontman Mark Tornillo, Accept’s 17th studio album is pretty much like the previous 16: sonically ferocious and stitched together with biting socio-political commentary.

Sure, the band’s come on leaps on bounds since the denim and leather clad early days.

But even back then there was substance behind the rather hackneyed style.

In 2024 Accept still possess that familiar talent for penning brain-melting metal anthems — only now the narrative is more compelling than ever.

Tornillo has been Wolf Hoffman’s trusty sidekick for 15 years and Humanoid is his sixth album with the band.

It’s a testament to the former T.T. Quick singer’s enduring quality that his is a career that still feels like it’s on an unstoppable upward trajectory.

And Tornillo leaves nothing behind as he blasts his way through 11 of the freshest metal cuts you’ll hear all year.

As for Hoffman?

The veteran axe slinger — who’ll turn 65 later this year — is still reeling off molten riff after molten riff.

Those who regularly revisit Breaker, Restless And Wild and Balls To The Wall will discover plenty of Wolf’s 80s reference points on Humanoid.

But the secret to Hoffman’s longevity has always been his ability to stay ahead of the curve and this is modern metal respectfully rooted in the genre’s storied past.

Accept your fate

The steepling title track is typical Accept and when Tornillo screams ‘I am indestructible’ you’d be a fool to doubt him.

The canny juxtaposition between serious comment and black humour is another of this brilliant band’s reassuring trademarks.

And Man Up’s the perfect example: the rank silliness of the line ‘Sometimes life will hit you like a brick to the head’ allowing Tornillo to take a deep dive into mental health.

There’s a hint of classic Scorpions underpinning power ballad Ravages Of Time and here Hoffman’s retro-fit riffing works a treat.

Unbreakable’s an ode to loyalty, kin and the future as Accept celebrate their bond with heavy metal and the fans who’ve fuelled a 48-year career.

Was Mind Games scooped up from the cutting room floor and saved for a rainy day?

Maybe — because the fist-pumping hard rocker sounds like it’s been hewn from 1985’s commercially focused Metal Heart. Yep, it’s that good.

And as for Straight Up Jack… imagine the best AC/DC song you’ve heard in the last 20 years and bring Bon Scott back from the dead.

You get the idea.

If 2021’s Too Mean To Die was too good to be true then Humanoid’s just upped the Accept ante. Who knows how.