German metal legends ACCEPT have entered turbulent waters as founding guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and original frontman Udo Dirkschneider publicly conflict over the planning of the band’s 50th-anniversary celebrations…

German metal legends ACCEPT have entered turbulent waters as founding guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and original frontman Udo Dirkschneider publicly conflict over the planning of the band’s 50th-anniversary celebrations…

 

German metal legends ACCEPT have entered turbulent waters as founding guitarist Wolf Hoffmann and original frontman Udo Dirkschneider publicly conflict over the planning of the band’s 50th-anniversary celebrations. At the heart of the disagreement is a scheduling conflict with the so-called “lock works”—a series of mandatory pre-tour logistics and rehearsals that are reportedly proving too tight for some founding members to accommodate

Earlier this week, Hoffmann announced that ACCEPT would stage a global 50th-anniversary tour in late 2025, accompanied by a retrospective album slated for early 2026. He emphasized the tour would be a career-spanning showcase featuring surprise guests—and notably extended an invitation to Udo Dirkschneider and former bassist Peter Baltes to rejoin as featured performers .

Wolf’s stance was clear: “The door is always open for anybody to join in. … There is going to be a 50‑year retrospective of ACCEPT and anyone who wants to participate is more than welcome” .

Despite this olive branch, Hoffmann hinted at friction when asked if he’d personally called Udo or awaited his response, reacting defensively: “Can you just shut up now? … You’re not going to get me to talk about that” .

Udo’s Response: A Scheduling Snag

Udo Dirkschneider, however, has responded coolly. He’s reportedly interested in staging his own 50th-anniversary event, possibly centered around a one-off performance of seminal ACCEPT songs; yet, he claims that the extensive “lock works”—encompassing technical rehearsals, studio time, and tour prep—don’t align with his current commitments .

Additionally, Udo continues to tour with his own band, DIRKSCHNEIDER, re-recording classics and performing hit albums in full . With U.D.O. and DIRKSCHNEIDER often operating in parallel, finding free slots for Hoffmann’s schedule appears near-impossible.

Lingering Resentment

Interpersonal frictions linger. Hoffmann has admitted that his relationship with Udo is essentially “non‑existent” , while Udo remains vocal about feeling “still angry” over losing rights to the ACCEPT name decades ago . Both have publicly rebuked each other numerous times—Udo accusing Hoffmann’s wife of legally “stealing” the band’s name and Hoffmann accusing Udo of dwelling on the past .

Recent media reports show Udo confessing that he hasn’t been contacted by Hoffmann regarding the anniversary and, in turn, suggests Hoffmann is orchestrating the celebration “with different musicians” .

What This Means for Fans

At present, ACCEPT’s 50th-year tour remains on track, though the inclusion of its founding vocalist is uncertain. Hoffmann has confirmed the band will press ahead with a “massive” tour and a companion album .

Fans should anticipate a career-spanning setlist and high-profile guests—but must also brace for the possibility that this milestone celebration might proceed without its original frontman. Meanwhile, Udo appears poised to mark his own legacy separately.

Looking Ahead

In late 2025, ACCEPT will kick off the anniversary tour—possibly sans Udo—followed by a retrospective album in spring 2026. Udo, meanwhile, continues touring under his banner and may host an independent anniversary show of his own.

Despite the rift, the door isn’t completely shut. Hoffmann’s invitation remains open, though it’s now caught in a web of personal strain, scheduling clashes, and long-standing disagreements. Whether the two will reconcile in time to cross paths on stage remains the most anticipated question among metal fans worldwide.