Balls to the Wall
Encyclopedia
Balls to the Wall is the fifth album
by the German
metal
band Accept
. European label Lark Records released the album in December 1983, but its US
release was delayed until a month later as to not compete with the band's then-current album Restless and Wild, which had arrived in the US in early 1983. It is the band's best known and highest-selling album, selling about two million copies worldwide, and is Accept's only record to attain Gold certification in America. The album's lead single, "Balls to the Wall
", became Accept's signature tune and remains a metal anthem and trademark in the genre.
, as well as the lyrics to "London Leatherboys" and "Love Child" appearing to concern homosexuals
. Guitarist Wolf Hoffmann
was dismissive of the controversy, saying years later that "You Americans are so uptight about this. In Europe it was never a big deal...we just wanted to be controversial and different and touch on these touchy subjects, because it gave us good press and it worked fabulously, you know". Drummer Stefan Kaufmann explained that many of the themes on the album were about oppressed minorities in general. "London Leatherboys" was really about bikers
, for example: "They're normal people, they just look different and they behave different. But they're normal people, another minority. And 'Love Child' was about gays, true, but it's basically about people who are suppressed." Concerning the homosexuality issues themselves, Kauffmann said in an interview with french magazine Enfer (n°7, 1983):
Hoffman's wife and lyricist Gaby Hauke also denied these controversies and accusations concerning the gay issue:
Critic Martin Popoff
has declared Balls to the Wall the greatest metal album of the 1980s, praising the combination of smooth production, powerful guitar riffs and strong melodies that are found throughout the record. Professional wrestler Chris Jericho
's band, Fozzy
, did their own cover of the song Balls to the Wall, as well.
There are 2 different remasters of this album. The first one is part of Sony
's 'The Metal Masters Series' & the 2nd one is part of the 'BMG
Remastered Edition'
2001 Remaster
2002 Remaster
Both of these songs are taken from Kaizoku-Ban
.
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Accept
Accept
Accept is a German heavy metal band from the town of Solingen, originally assembled by former vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and bassist Peter Baltes. Their beginnings can be traced back to the late 1960s...
. European label Lark Records released the album in December 1983, but its US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
release was delayed until a month later as to not compete with the band's then-current album Restless and Wild, which had arrived in the US in early 1983. It is the band's best known and highest-selling album, selling about two million copies worldwide, and is Accept's only record to attain Gold certification in America. The album's lead single, "Balls to the Wall
Balls to the Wall (song)
"Balls to the Wall" was the lead single from Accept's fifth studio album with the same name. The album's best known song, which became Accept's signature tune, is the anthemic title track, for which a music video was shot that received American airplay on MTV....
", became Accept's signature tune and remains a metal anthem and trademark in the genre.
Album information
Some of the album's success can no doubt be attributed to the publicity generated from the minor "gay metal" controversy that broke out upon its American release, due to the record's title and front cover being deemed by some as homoeroticHomoeroticism
Homoeroticism refers to the erotic attraction between members of the same sex, either male–male or female–female , most especially as it is depicted or manifested in the visual arts and literature. It can also be found in performative forms; from theatre to the theatricality of uniformed movements...
, as well as the lyrics to "London Leatherboys" and "Love Child" appearing to concern homosexuals
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
. Guitarist Wolf Hoffmann
Wolf Hoffmann
Wolf Hoffmann grew up in Wuppertal. He is primarily known as guitarist in the German heavy metal band Accept since 1976. In 1997, he released the album Classical with rock versions of classical pieces...
was dismissive of the controversy, saying years later that "You Americans are so uptight about this. In Europe it was never a big deal...we just wanted to be controversial and different and touch on these touchy subjects, because it gave us good press and it worked fabulously, you know". Drummer Stefan Kaufmann explained that many of the themes on the album were about oppressed minorities in general. "London Leatherboys" was really about bikers
Outlaw motorcycle club
An outlaw motorcycle club is a type of motorcycle club that is part of a subculture with roots in the post-World War II USA, centered on cruiser motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidsons and choppers, and a set of ideals celebrating freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture, and loyalty to the...
, for example: "They're normal people, they just look different and they behave different. But they're normal people, another minority. And 'Love Child' was about gays, true, but it's basically about people who are suppressed." Concerning the homosexuality issues themselves, Kauffmann said in an interview with french magazine Enfer (n°7, 1983):
“It’s a phenomenon that should be taken into consideration. Because it exists on a wide scale and should be demystified. In fact, this is a phenomenon of society that needs to be taken as such. For a long time gay people have been considered as sick or insane. And yet, it’s time to respect these people, open our minds which are often closed."
Hoffman's wife and lyricist Gaby Hauke also denied these controversies and accusations concerning the gay issue:
"Let me answer this and (the next) question in one, ok? I have been very rebellious and by no means I would have written anything "normal"! Never! The sexual question about the context of certain lyrics are mind games and pure interpretation from outsiders. This is a band who has as individuals -so little to do with controversy and absolutely nothing in particular with anything but being VERY straight"
Critic Martin Popoff
Martin Popoff
Martin Popoff is a Canadian-born music journalist and critic who covers the genre of heavy metal music. The senior editor and co-founder of Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles magazine, he has additionally written over twenty books that both critically evaluate heavy metal and document its history...
has declared Balls to the Wall the greatest metal album of the 1980s, praising the combination of smooth production, powerful guitar riffs and strong melodies that are found throughout the record. Professional wrestler Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho
Christopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an inactive Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, songwriter, radio personality, television host, actor, author, and dancer...
's band, Fozzy
Fozzy
Fozzy is an American heavy metal/hard rock band, formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1999. Lead singer Chris Jericho , who is also a professional wrestler, resides in Florida, while the rest of the band lives in Georgia. The band is currently signed to Riot! Entertainment...
, did their own cover of the song Balls to the Wall, as well.
Track listing
- All Songs Written By Accept/Deaffy (AKAPseudonymA pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Gaby Hoffman). (CopyrightCopyrightCopyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
Summer Breeze Music-ASCAP)
- "Balls to the WallBalls to the Wall (song)"Balls to the Wall" was the lead single from Accept's fifth studio album with the same name. The album's best known song, which became Accept's signature tune, is the anthemic title track, for which a music video was shot that received American airplay on MTV....
" - 5:45 - "London Leatherboys" - 3:57
- "Fight It Back" - 3:30
- "Head Over Heels" - 4:19
- "Losing More Than You've Ever Had" - 5:04
- "Love Child" - 3:35
- "Turn Me On" - 5:12
- "Losers and Winners" - 4:19
- "Guardian of the Night" - 4:25
- "Winter Dreams" - 4:45
There are 2 different remasters of this album. The first one is part of Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
's 'The Metal Masters Series' & the 2nd one is part of the 'BMG
BMG
Bertelsmann Music Group, , was a division of Bertelsmann before its completion of sale of the majority of its assets to Japan's Sony Corporation of America on October 1, 2008. It was established in 1987 to combine the music label activities of Bertelsmann...
Remastered Edition'
2001 Remaster
- Head over Heels (live)
- Love Child (live)
2002 Remaster
- Up to the Limit (live)
- Head over Heels (live)
Both of these songs are taken from Kaizoku-Ban
Kaizoku-Ban
Kaizoku-Ban is a live mini album or EP by Accept. It was recorded in Nagoya, Japan September 19, 1985, and released on vinyl the same year. It was later re-released as Live in Japan in 1992. Though this is an official release, the title translates as "Pirate Edition"...
.
Credits
- Udo DirkschneiderUdo DirkschneiderUdo Dirkschneider is a German heavy metal singer who is best known as the vocalist in German heavy metal band Accept and later U.D.O.After leaving Accept in 1987, Dirkschneider formed the band U.D.O....
- Lead vocals - Herman FrankHerman FrankHerman Frank is a German guitar player. He joined the heavy metal band Accept before the release of their 1982 album, Restless and Wild, and left after the following album, 1984's Balls to the Wall was released. He was preceded by Jan Koemmet in Accept and succeeded by Jörg Fischer...
- Guitars, Backing vocals - Wolf HoffmannWolf HoffmannWolf Hoffmann grew up in Wuppertal. He is primarily known as guitarist in the German heavy metal band Accept since 1976. In 1997, he released the album Classical with rock versions of classical pieces...
- Guitars, Backing vocals - Peter BaltesPeter BaltesPeter Baltes, born April 4, 1958 in Solingen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a German hard rock and heavy metal musician. He is a member of the German heavy metal group Accept, which he played as bassist with on 15 albums, selling more than 17 million records around the world...
- Bass guitar, Backing vocals - Stefan Kaufmann - Drums
Production
- Accept: Producer
- Louis Austin: Engineer
- Michael Wagener: Mixing
- Vic Anesini: Mastering
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The Billboard 200 | |