Herman and Stephan leave ACCEPT

[NorseBlood]

http://www.acceptworldwide.com/2014/12/we-are-parting-with-herman-and-stefan-as-friends/

“WE ARE PARTING AS FRIENDS!”

ACCEPT would like to thank Herman Frank & Stefan Schwarzmann for being with us these last 4 + years, for making themselves available whenever needed and for rocking their asses off! We and the fans all knew that they had their own careers and that eventually we would run into scheduling and other conflicts beyond our control. Herman and Stefan are now ready to take on the world, with their own band “PANZER”, a Nuclear Blast Record deal under their belts and a new album!

We are parting as friends and wish them nothing but success!

We ourselves are getting ready for 2015 – another year of heavy touring! We would like to say thanks again to our fans around the world for their huge support and for the fantastic year 2014!

The Blind Rage World Tour continues in 2015 – see below – stay tuned for more dates!

 

[VenomGA]

well this sucks....

 

[labrekk]

That sucks indeed... Finding both a new guitarist and a new drummer is not that easy. Maybe Randy Black would be a good choice for one?

 

[NorseBlood]

Perhaps they could get Stefan Kaufmann back in the band. He played drums with Accept back in the 80s and early 90s, and more recently played guitars with UDO.

 

[Comic Book Dude]

Bad news. I'm a big fan of Herman Frank, whether it's his work with Accept, his solo albums, Moon Doc, or his fantastic stuff with Victory. Wolf brings the virtuosity to Accept, but Herman brought the crunch. Big shoes to fill....

 

[Felixrox]

Now THIS is not good news to read........I don't think the timing of them leaving while tour dates are likely lined up makes much sense either. Herman's bread & butter has always been with his Accept days, not sure why he just didn't make time for all of this really. I don't think I'll hold my breath for another Accept album in 2 years unless he re-joins the band, because he is part of the reason the last 3 albums have been so dynamite !

 

[labrekk]

Now THIS is not good news to read........I don't think the timing of them leaving while tour dates are likely lined up makes much sense either. Herman's bread & butter has always been with his Accept days, not sure why he just didn't make time for all of this really. I don't think I'll hold my breath for another Accept album in 2 years unless he re-joins the band, because he is part of the reason the last 3 albums have been so dynamite !

Well, Herman Frank was not allowed to write anything on these last 3 Accept albums, so as sad as I am to see him leaving, I don't think it'll change something for an upcoming Accept disc. That fact is also maybe one of the reasons why he decided to leave the band. Maybe he was tired of being just the hired gun, not allowed to contribute to the songs?

 

[Sumeet]

Well, Herman Frank was not allowed to write anything on these last 3 Accept albums, so as sad as I am to see him leaving, I don't think it'll change something for an upcoming Accept disc. That fact is also maybe one of the reasons why he decided to leave the band. Maybe he was tired of being just the hired gun, not allowed to contribute to the songs?

Agreed. Hoffman and Baltes have written all the music since the reunion. Frank was basically a hired gun (though a very good one), and he was even during his first stint with the band. He's been releasing solo albums every few years, and now he and Schwarzmann have a new band and record deal, so I suppose it's not a big surprise that they may have commitments which conflict with Accept. I'm guessing a band of Accept's stature will have no problem finding a solid guitarist and drummer to step in.

 

[labrekk]

Just what I was thought... Herman got tired of not being allowed to write anything in Accept...

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/gu...-wasnt-allowed-to-write-any-music-for-accept/

 

[Bryant]

As others have stated, Accept is pretty much Wolf and Peter music wise, but both Stephan and Hermann are VERY underrated musicians. Stephan is a master of the crash mute technique. While it may not be the most technically challenging technique in the world on drums, and finding a live replacement won't be too difficult, finding someone who can make that technique happen just right in the studio won't be quite as easy. Hermann is also just as big. He didn't get a chance to play manyt solos, but he did one or two as well as the harmony solos with Wolf. Tough to replace.

 

[MeTuLHeD]

Stephan is a master of the crash mute technique. While it may not be the most technically challenging technique in the world on drums, and finding a live replacement won't be too difficult, finding someone who can make that technique happen just right in the studio won't be quite as easy.

???? ????

 

[labrekk]

Stephan is a master of the crash mute technique.

What the hell is that technique?

 

[Urban breed]

What the hell is that technique?

I believe Bryant is referring to a cymbal choke technique (and then narrowing it down to just the crash cymbal.)

 

[Bryant]

I believe Bryant is referring to a cymbal choke technique (and then narrowing it down to just the crash cymbal.)

Yep. You are absolutely correct Mr. Breed. I actually know the correct term as being cymbal "choke," but unfortunately, kick/crash/mute is just some phrase I invented in 1985 when my favorite band released Metal Heart. It sort of stuck...... A cymbal choke is when you strike a cymbal with your stick, then sort of make a pac-man shape with your other hand (although it can be done with the same hand) and stop it from ringing. It is most often used along with a lower guitar chord and bass note simultaneously. Stian of Pagan's Mind also uses the technique quite a bit.
Anyway, the cymbal choke is probably a bad example for Stephan although it is a bit of a signature technique for Accept songs. I am a lousy drummer on my best days, and I can perform that one. However, I could only play like Stephan in my dreams.

I don't know why Stephan and Herman are departing Accept. It could be money, creative differences (or the fact, Stephan and Herman want to be involved more in the creative process) or simply logistics as Wolf, Gaby, Peter, and Mark all live in the US, but it is going to negatively affect Accept in the studio.
Most people, especially on this forum probably don't really think of Accept (other than Wolf maybe, as he has his share of fans) as being elite musicians given they play classic, in your face metal, but they are, in spades. Stephan can't really go off on some sort of Mark Zonder type riff in an Accept song..... it just doesn't fit. However, within the confines of Accept's style, he is a monster. Put on some Accept and focus on the drums, and it is easy to hear. I will go out on a limb and say that Stephan is one of the absolute best traditional metal drummers out there, in my ears anyway. If you pay close attention, there is A LOT of drum work going on in Accept songs. I will be shocked if there is not some degradation in their songs now.
I mean absolutely no offense to Herman, as he is a fantastic guitarist, but replacing a guitarist isn't as big of a deal as you have a living legend to coach the next guy, but Herman will be missed as well.

Bryant

 

[Felixrox]

Thanks for the additional insights guys about the Herman Frank departure, I missed those headlines !