U.D.O. is consistent and punctual when it comes down to releasing brand new material. Not only their albums retain a high level of quality, they have managed to keep intact the overall character and identity of the group…and that’s really important, after all these years. Good, qualitative metal based on Udo’s past with Accept and constant touring that offers memorable moments to all the fans around the world. It seems like the short –yet miraculous- frontman wants to go down in history as a guy who will never quit and the stage is his natural environment. But let’s go into “Rev-Raptor”…
 
First of all, the album is not that different –musically speaking- from the past offerings by U.D.O. and thankfully the production is once again more traditional thus leaving aside various experimentations that were so evident in the two previous albums (and especially “Mastercutor”). The guitar riffing and solos are the prominent elements of “Rev-Raptor”. They create the ideal atmosphere of a U.D.O. album by being melodic, heavy and absolutely fitting and characteristic for the German outfit.

However, “Rev-Raptor” seems to be incomplete and below par in the most neuralgic aspect of an album: the compositions. It’s not that there is a weak moment in there but it surely lacks the tracks that will push the album to a whole another level.  Stand-out songs include “Dr. Death”, “Underworld”, “True Born Winners”, “Days Of Hope And Glory” but again there are not sufficient enough in order to baptize “Rev-Raptor” a classic U.D.O. record. Nevertheless, the overall feeling of U.D.O. is present and that’s what I keep, in a final analysis…“Rev-Raptor” is worthy of the potential purchase but that’s a band that has raised the stakes high, so I must be really demanding of them!
 

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