Concert Review: Accept and Queensryche "Volume & Vengeance" Tour at the Webster Theatre in Hartford Connecticut

Mark Kurtzner
1 day ago
4 min read

More and more bands are doing double bill tours, this show was billed as a co-headline show, but I really wouldn't call it a "true" co-headline show. However for the fans it's still a great way to see two top tier bands basically perform a full set and it allows for bands to play in larger venues and split the touring expenses. I expect that this will become much more of the norm in the future.

I've been a longtime fan of both bands - especially Accept. I first discovered them in 1979 and instantly I was hooked, I have every album release but being an American Fan I didn't get a chance to see them until 1985 when they opened for Iron Maiden. I didn't see them again until Udo with Stephan Kaufman on guitar, played a show opening for Saxon @ L'amours in Brooklyn on October 27th, 2000, when Udo played 9 out of 16 Accept songs. Sure, they split - with UDO Dirkschneider leaving to do his own things and Wolf Hoffman keeping the Accept name going.

In 2009 Wolf, along with bassist "Peter Baltes" and rhythm guitarist "Herman Frank" put Accept back together with former TT Quick vocalist Mark Tornillo, I love the newer stuff with Mark, I was a fan of his from his TT Quick days. Mark was a perfect fit and replacement to UDO; I was lucky to see TT Quick twice in 1985 when they were performing their own originals and covers. They used to do some outstanding versions of Accept songs and Mark's voice was spot on. Accept has released 17 studio albums (6 with Mark on vocals). Peter Baltes played for Accept for 42 years & 15 albums before leaving in 2018.

I finally got to see Accept doing headline shows, with the 1st one @ The Chance in Poughkeepsie, NY on December 4th, 2021, since I've seen the current band six times over the past few years - always putting on a truly amazing live show and Wolf Hoffmann is one of the best metal riff masters going! Matter of fact he inspired me so much that I bought one of his Team Built Framus V guitars - and it's truly an amazing guitar.

Onto the review: Accept hits the stage with a ton of energy and a very polished HEAVY sound that sounded absolutely perfect. Their set has plenty of sing-along, stomp-along moments - something that has always been part of the Accept sound and one of the reasons that I love their style of music. Wolf is a true metal guitarist - he's everything that you'd expect, a phenomenal guitarist and true showman too, he owns the stage along with his band mates... Mark Tornillo does a great job on vocals, handling the newer and older Udo era music just great! Wolf has put together a great band with Philip Shouse on guitar, along with Martin Motnik on bass and keeping the thunderous beat going is Christopher Williams! If anyone has never seen them or hasn't seen them recently - you definitely owe it to yourself to go, see an Accept show - you definitely won't be disappointed! I easily could have taken another hour of Accept but not this time, maybe the next time they come back hopefully they'll be doing a full-on headline tour?

Setlist:

The Reckoning

Restless and Wild

Midnight Mover

Straight up Jack

Breaker

Metal Heart

Teutonic Terror

Fast as a Shark

Pandemic

Balls to the Wall

Current members:

Wolf Hoffmann – lead guitar, backing vocals (1976–1989, 1992–1997, 2005, 2009–present)

Mark Tornillo – lead vocals (2009–present)

Christopher Williams – drums, backing vocals (2015–present)

Martin Motnik – bass, backing vocals (2019–present)

Philip Shouse – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2019–present)

Queensryche as well has seen its fair share of lineup changes through the years. I remember the 1st time I had heard the 4 track EP and hearing "Queen of the Ryche" & the "Lady Wore Black". I was like wow... I became an instant fan. I first saw Queensryche live in 1984 when they opened up for Kiss. I also photographed them in 1989 when they opened for Metallica. Before the show I also interviewed Geoff on the making and writing process of Mindcrime, that was really cool. Tensions were growing in the band causing a split with Geoff Tate and the band, but Michael Wilton and Eddie Jackson forged on getting Todd La Torre, who joined the band in 2012 releasing 4 albums. They are a touring machine - I've seen them a few times as well over the past few years, including an epic headline free show in my hometown this summer in Albany NY where I also photographed them.

The intro sounds and the crowd is ready for more as they open with crowd favorite "Queen of the Ryche" they go on to play a great mix of their hits, classics, some deep cuts - overall a very good mix of the band's complete catalog. They have always put on a highly polished show with lots of energy and excitement and tonight they kept that tradition going. Definitely a great "Double Bill Show" that should be seen! Make it a point if they are playing a city near you, get out and go now or even in the future, you definitely won't be disappointed seeing either band over and over!