Mission No. X

Mission No. X is a record on which U.D.O. puts thick guitar, a robust beat and gritty, distinctive vocals to the front. Rather than complexity, the songs advance on the push of the riffs and the force of the choruses, strongly carrying an immediacy that recalls a live setting — a record that pursues the pleasure of traditional heavy metal without hesitation. From the intro that runs from the overture “The Embarkation” into the title track “Mission No. X” and the aggression of “24/7” to the weight of “Mean Streets” and the drama of “Eye of the Eagle” and “Cry Soldier Cry,” the songs fully display a hard-edged appeal. Even within the weight, melancholy and melody remain, firmly conveying the appeal of classic heavy metal in a present-day form. A construction that trusts the pure force of riff and shout, without relying on decoration, runs throughout. It answers straight to listeners who want the unwavering hardness of German metal. Joining Udo Dirkschneider’s character with the band’s iron-wall ensemble, it is a powerful, fulfilling heavy-metal record.