Too Mean to Die

Too Mean to Die is a record on which Accept again reaffirms, at modern sound pressure, the sturdiness of the traditional heavy metal it has long upheld. Sharply chopped riffs, forward-pushing drums and Mark Tornillo’s powerful voice mesh without hesitation, and the songs hold more than enough destructive power even when short. From the aggression of the opener “Zombie Apocalypse” and the speed of the title track “Too Mean to Die” to the catchiness of “Overnight Sensation” and “The Undertaker,” apocalyptic themes and fist-raising sing-along choruses line up. But in essence it is an album that thoroughly “pushes with the guitar riff,” and that unwavering consistency is its strength. Rather than showing off technique, it prioritizes above all being heavy, fast and memorable enough to be unforgettable after one listen. Wolf Hoffmann’s guitar shows no decline at all, driving the whole as the band’s core. Delivering the essence of classic heavy metal soundly and at very high intensity, it is a fulfilling record in Accept’s manner.