U.D.O. - Animal House (1987)

If you can get used to Udo's slightly unusual vocal style, then you'll find much to savout in the molten metal of U.D.O. 'Animal House' is one of many albums these Germans have released over the years, and you always know what you're getting with German metal - solid percussion, fan tastic riffs and solo's and well crafted songs, for example the clever lyrics and anthemic Euro feel of 'they Want War' with it's child-like chorus and those manic vocal rasps and staggering solo's that litter the record. U.D.O. slot nicely into that pit occupied by Judas Priest, Accept et al, as pure metal warriors. This is stellar stuff at times, never once taking ist foot off the gas, one can only marvel at a mini masterpiece like 'Go back To Hell' with its thrash riff and more sinister bellow whilst 'Lay Down The Law' is equally brain crushing, in fact 'Animal House' features some of the best guitaring you're likely to hear on an '80s metal album, just check out the rattling 'Coming Home' which boasts some epic shredding, Dieth and Szigeti really make this debut album a must have for metal maniacs. 7.5/10