''Steelhammer'' is the 14th studio album by German heavy metal band
U.D.O., released on 24 May 2013 via
AFM Records
AFM Records GmbH is a music label based in Schwalmstadt, Germany. They focus on the heavy metal musical genre, signing bands such as U.D.O., Doro, Lordi, Kotipelto, Masterplan, Nostradameus, Redlight King, and Annihilator.
In 2005, Can ...
. It is the first album with guitarist Andrey Smirnov. Second guitarist
Kasperi Heikkinen
Kasperi Heikkinen (born 1980) is a Finnish guitarist who is best known as a former member of symphonic power metal band Amberian Dawn. He played in the band from early 2007 until late 2012. He is also the guitarist for Finnish metal bands Mergi ...
joined the band after all recordings were completed. It is also the first album without
Stefan Kaufmann as guitarist since the 1997 album ''
Solid
Solid is a state of matter where molecules are closely packed and can not slide past each other. Solids resist compression, expansion, or external forces that would alter its shape, with the degree to which they are resisted dependent upon the ...
'', as well as the first without guitarist Igor Gianola since the 1999 album ''
Holy
Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects (a ...
''. ''Steelhammer'' charted at #21 in Germany, #23 in Sweden, #38 in Finland and #67 in Norway during its first week. Music videos were made for "Metal Machine" and "Heavy Rain".
Track listing
Personnel
*
Udo Dirkschneider
Udo Dirkschneider (born 6 April 1952) is a German singer who first rose to fame with the Heavy metal music, heavy metal band Accept (band), Accept. After leaving the band in 1987, he formed the band U.D.O., in which he has also enjoyed commerci ...
– vocals
* Andrey Smirnov – guitars
* Fitty Wienhold – bass
* Francesco Jovino – drums
;Guest musicians
* Víctor García González – additional vocals on "Basta Ya" and "Dust and Rust ("Basta Ya" English Version)"
* Sascha Onnen – piano on "Heavy Rain"
* Frank Knight – spoken words on "A Cry of a Nation"
* Claus Fischer – vocals (choirs)
* Ingmar Viertel – vocals (choirs)
* Bernhard Müssig – vocals (choirs)
* Claus Rettkowski – vocals (choirs)
* Holger Thielbörger – vocals (choirs)
;Production
* Udo Dirkschneider – producer, mixing
* Fitty Wienhold – producer
* Dirk Hüttner – artwork, design
* Holger Thielbörger – editing
* Martin Häusler – photography
* Martin Pfeiffer – mixing
* Tim Eckhorst – layout, booklet
* Markus Teske – orchestral arrangement on "Book of Faith", editing, mastering
* Patrick Spina – engineering (drums), editing (drums)
* Víctor García González – lyrics, translation on "Basta Ya"
References
{{Authority control
U.D.O. albums
2013 albums
AFM Records albums