U.D.O. – Mean Machine (Anniversary Edition)

25 years of U.D.O. as a band seems like the perfect occasion for AFM Records to re-release the whole back catalog. January saw the re-release of classics Solid (1997), No Limits (1998), Holy (1999) and Man And Machine (2002), while February saw the re-release of U.D.O.’s first four releases, Animal House (1987), Faceless World (1990), Timebomb (1991) and the one on offer here, Mean Machine (1989). All albums include bonus tracks and revised layouts, of course.

Mean Machine continued the band’s pattern of heavy, riff-driven, German Anthemic Power Metal style with a strong nod to classic Accept (vocalist Udo Dirkschneider’s old band). The original release was ten tracks of Anthemic German Metal plus the obligatory ballad. The re-release adds a bonus live track of “Break The Rules” as well as the video release for the same studio track.

The music still sounds great and stands strong even 22 years later. The score offered here is based purely on the merits of the re-release version and not the music. With only one audio bonus track (including no mention of what venue or year it was taken from), no additional liner notes, and no re-mastering (though none is really needed) then this release can only be suggested for the die-hards or for U.D.O. fans who haven’t managed to previously score a affordably priced copy.