WOLF HOFFMANN On ACCEPT’s 50th Anniversary: ‘Not Every Band Is Lucky Enough To Be Around For This Long’…

WOLF HOFFMANN On ACCEPT’s 50th Anniversary: ‘Not Every Band Is Lucky Enough To Be Around For This Long’

 

As iconic German heavy metal band ACCEPT gears up to celebrate its 50th anniversary, founding guitarist Wolf Hoffmann is taking a moment to reflect on the band’s incredible journey—a legacy built over five decades of relentless dedication, powerful music, and unwavering fan support.

In a recent interview, Hoffmann, who joined the band as a teenager in the mid-1970s, expressed deep gratitude and awe at the milestone. “Not every band is lucky enough to be around for this long and to still be in the business and still be touring and still have fans,” he said. “I think it’s quite an accomplishment.”

ACCEPT, known for metal anthems like “Balls to the Wall,” “Fast as a Shark,” and “Metal Heart,” has experienced several lineup changes over the years. But the band has shown remarkable resilience—particularly with the addition of vocalist Mark Tornillo in 2009, which led to a creative rebirth. Since then, ACCEPT has released a string of successful albums and toured worldwide, drawing both longtime supporters and new fans.

Now, with the 50th anniversary on the horizon, Hoffmann confirmed that ACCEPT is planning a major celebration in 2025 and 2026. A special tour is scheduled to kick off at the end of 2025, followed by the release of a commemorative studio album in early 2026.

“This is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime event,” Hoffmann said. “We want to do something really special—a tour with surprises, deep cuts, and guest appearances, and an album that looks back on our entire history.”

According to Hoffmann, the upcoming album will feature re-recorded versions of ACCEPT classics, deeper tracks that haven’t been played live in decades, and guest appearances by former members and notable musicians from the metal world. Invitations have already been extended to former vocalist Udo Dirkschneider and bassist Peter Baltes, although their participation remains unconfirmed.

“The door is always open for anybody to join us,” Hoffmann said. “This celebration is about the whole history of ACCEPT, not just the current lineup.”

While the band is focused on making the 50th anniversary an unforgettable experience, Hoffmann also acknowledged the uncertainty of what comes next. “We might not get another chance like this again,” he admitted. “Who knows what the future holds? Health, life—nothing is guaranteed. So we’re putting everything into this one.”

Reflecting on ACCEPT’s long career, Hoffmann noted that even in the early days, the band never imagined they’d still be going strong 50 years later. “We were just kids in a garage, making noise,” he said with a laugh. “To see that our music still connects with people after all this time—it’s an amazing feeling.”

With a legacy spanning generations and a loyal global fanbase, ACCEPT is preparing to celebrate half a century with the energy and conviction that has defined their career from the start. As Hoffmann put it, “It’s been an incredible ride—and the best is yet to come.”