Review Summary: Accept is still a band looking for its identity but Breaker is an excellent offering and a sign of things to come.
The year was 1981 and Accept had already released two albums. The quality of their work up until that point was not subpar per se but the band was generally dissatisfied from the outcome of both albums commercially and artistically. Accept’s sophomore effort
I’m a Rebel saw a band that didn’t have a specific identity, was influenced by outsiders and their focus revolved around sales. However,
I’m a Rebel failed to achieve significant sales and in hindsight this was the best thing that could happen for both Accept and its fans. That failure forced the band to reach a significant decision which influenced their career drastically; they decided to release music that appealed first of all to them.
Breaker is the definitive turning point in Accept’s discography and the beginning of the band’s most successful period. Compared to what followed,
Breaker is less metallic but more wild and playful. The music on this album is very influenced by the likes of Scorpions, Judas Priest, UFO and even Rainbow and AC/DC. The songwriting is very strong while the standouts are definitely the guitar work and Udo Dirkschneider’s distinctive vocals. Moreover, what you’ll find on this album is old-school dynamic heavy metal, as you might already have figured out, with energetic tracks such as the anthemic twin guitar title track with a riff that may remind some of you Rainbow’s “A Light in the Dark” or the equally powerful “Run If You Can” with its addictive chorus. Both tracks are standouts as is “Can’t Stand the Night”; an emotional power ballad with an exceptional performance by Udo. A song that reflects the band’s frustration at the time is definitely “Son of a Bitch” with its explicit lyrics; probably Accept’s answer to their critics and to those who influenced them in a negative way. “Midnight Highway” and “Burning” are both tracks that could have been released by the Brian Johnson-fronted AC/DC with a few Uli Jon Roth guitar licks.
Overall,
Breaker scores high on the consistency department even though the first side might seem stronger to some listeners. The music may not be exactly groundbreaking but it certainly makes up with its quality. Fans of Scorpions, UFO and old-school metal with twin guitars will certainly enjoy this album that deserves a mention alongside
Restless and Wild and
Balls to the Wall.
