U.D.O., the German metal band led by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschneider, has collaborated with Das Musikkorps der Bundeswehr, the military band of the German federal armed forces, on an album called “We Are One”, to be released on July 17 via AFM Records/Soulfood Music.
The LP contains 15 new songs that were developed and arranged by U.D.O. together with Lieutenant Colonel Christoph Scheibling.
Two other former ACCEPT members, Stefan Kaufmann and Peter Baltes, were part of the songwriting too, as well as the German Armed Forces composers Guido Rennert and Alexander Reuber. The title “We Are One” has been the driving force for everyone involved.
Whatever anyone might think about the “rock band meets orchestra” collaborations that already exist in the music world, this is far from what “We Are One” really is. This is one of the most elaborate concept albums the market has ever seen.
The hard-rocking sound of U.D.O. has not only been intensified by a 60-piece orchestra, but contains some unique arrangements that underline how characteristic yet versatile U.D.O. is.
This project surprises the listener in every aspect, and is a project with a clear statement: “We Are One” is a critical reflection of a world in which we all leave our mark, and in which we all have to show responsibility.
The songs on “We Are One” are about the different challenges we are currently facing, climate change (“Future Is The Reason Why”), the worldwide refugee movements (“Live Or Die”, “Fridays For Future”, “Children Of The World”) or the pollution of the environment (“Mother Earth”). With the track “Pandemonium”, both parties, U.D.O. as well as the German Armed Forces, also take a clear position against society’s right wing. The song “Rebel Town” is a hymn for a 30-year-reunited Germany.
“We all live on this planet. No matter who we are or what we do, we all just have this one planet,” Udo Dirkschneider explains about the message behind the songs. “There is no planet B. When I see the pictures of all the plastic in our oceans and when I hear about the next climate catastrophe in the news, I really start wondering how respectless and irresponsible we sometimes are. It’s not just about us, it’s also about all the others and last but not least about our children!”
