Accept Unveils “Heart of the Kind” — 18th Studio Album Arriving This Fall…

Accept Unveils “Heart of the Kind” — 18th Studio Album Arriving This Fall

 

German-American heavy metal stalwarts Accept are set to unleash their 18th studio album, Heart of the Kind, on October 17, 2025, via Napalm Records. Marking a bold evolution of their thunderous sound, the record synthesizes the band’s early-80s aggression with fresh melodic depth.

The announcement comes alongside a dramatic teaser video, set in a mist-shrouded forest, featuring flickering flames and ominous whispers—a scene underscored by a pulsating riff from lead single “Iron Pulse.” The clip ends with a simple yet chilling message: Coming October 17.

Wolf Hoffmann, the band’s veteran guitarist and co-founder, describes Heart of the Kind as “a journey through our darker emotions—rage, loss, defiance—but also resilience and redemption.” He adds, “On this album we dug deeper—not just musically, but thematically, exploring what drives people apart and what ultimately brings them back together. The ‘kindness’ in the title is deliberate: despite it all, humanity’s heart still has fire.”

Accept has once again teamed with celebrated British producer Andy Sneap, whose resume includes heavyweights like Judas Priest, Megadeth, and Testament. Hoffmann says, “Andy understood the balance we wanted: raw, live energy, but polished enough to punch through on modern systems. Heart of the Kind is heavy—and it hits.”

The album comprises 11 new tracks, ranging from the breakneck speed of “Ashes to Genesis” to the brooding midtempo anthem “Broken Promises.” The mid-album “Refuge in the Night” offers a soaring chorus and cinematic guitars—hints of progressive nuance woven into Accept’s traditional sound.

Mark Tornillo, the band’s frontman since 2009, leads with his trademark gravel-and-melody dynamic. “When I first heard the demos, I felt the emotion right away,” Tornillo says. “Titles like ‘Shadows Will Fall’ and ‘Rising Through the Ruins’ aren’t just slogans—they’re stories. I wanted to tell them with honesty and power.”

Napalm Records is rolling out a multi-tier release: standard CD and vinyl, a deluxe box set with rare live tracks and behind-the-scenes footage, plus a “steel edition” limited to 2,000 copies featuring exclusive cover art, a band-signed lithograph, and lyric booklet.

To support Heart of the Kind, Accept will launch the Rising Through the Ruins Tour, kicking off in early November in Hamburg. The world trek spans Europe, North America, and Latin America, with dates already lined up in Berlin, New York, São Paulo, and Tokyo. Several festival appearances—Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, and Graspop—are in the works.

Accept bassist Peter Baltes, a founding member who’s been part of every album, adds: “After more than four decades, you could get comfortable—but Heart of the Kind reminds me why we stay. The material’s fresh, the energy’s there, and the fans’ response to the teaser has been tremendous.”

Pre-orders begin July 1, 2025, with instant access to “Iron Pulse” and an exclusive making-of video. Streaming platforms will also feature a special “behind-the-riffs” playlist, detailing the creative process.

As Accept prepares to celebrate their nearly 50-year journey, Heart of the Kind promises to be a milestone—bridging the raw intensity of Balls to the Wall with modern melodic sophistication. It’s heavy metal with heart—and fire.