U.D.O. – Timebomb (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), Mean Machine (1989) and the one being reviewed here, Timebomb (1991). All albums include bonus tracks and revised layouts, of course.

Timebomb continued the band’s consistent pattern of the riff-driven, German Power Metal style that made U.D.O. famous. Unlike its predecessor, Mean Machine, this release had fewer “anthemic moments” and tended to be slightly heavier overall. The original release was eleven tracks of German Metal without even an obligatory ballad. The re-release adds a bonus live track of “Metal Eater” as well as a video “Album-EPK” (in media terms “EPK” stands for “electronic press kit”).

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. This re-release package for an “anniversary edition” seems to be lacking indeed. With only one audio bonus track (including no mention of what venue or year it was taken from), an EPK video that is probably uninteresting to most, 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.