On the latest episode of the Talking Metal podcast, U.D.O. frontman Udo Dirkschneider and bassist Fitty Weinhold talk about a variety of subjects including the new U.D.O. album Steelhammer, the new band line-up, ex-guitarist Stefan Kaufmann, memories of touring with OZZY and IRON MAIDEN in the '80s, how Udo developed his classic signature look, and his thoughts on the last two ACCEPT albums.

Udo Dirkschneider: "I was listening to Blood Of The Nation, of course, good album, good singer. The second album is not as good as the first one, outside of the song 'Stalingrad' I have a feeling they were recording the second album along with the first one. Wolf (Hoffmann/guitars) said he was not in contact with me about a reunion but this is not true. He was asking me. We had a long talk and in the end I said no. I told Wolf I don’t want to do it again. I am really happy with U.D.O."

To hear the full interview jump to 14:50 of the podcast here.

U.D.O.'s forthcoming album Steelhammer - produced by Udo Dirkschneider and Fitty Wienhold - will be released on May 21st in North America and May 24th in Europe via AFM Records.

"Our new album is a real battering ram," Udo says. "That's why we have chosen this cover. It really shows best that U.D.O. is pure heavy metal! U.D.O. is back!"

The editions and tracklistings of the album are as follows:

Normal CD:

'Steelhammer'

'A Cry Of A Nation'

'Metal Machine'

'Basta Ya'

'Heavy Rain'

'Devil's Bite'

'Death Ride'

'King Of Mean'

'Time Keeper'

'Never Cross My Way'

'Take My Medicine'

'Stay True'

'When Love Becomes A Lie'

'Book Of Faith'

Digi-Pack:

'Steelhammer'

'A Cry Of A Nation'

'Metal Machine'

'Basta Ya'

'Heavy Rain'

'Devil's Bite'

'Death Ride'

'King Of Mean'

'Time Keeper'

'Never Cross My Way'

'Take My Medicine'

'Shadows Come Alive' (bonus track)

'Stay True Stay You'

'When Love Becomes A Lie'

'Book Of Faith'

Japanese Version:

'Steelhammer'

'A Cry Of A Nation'

'Metal Machine'

'Basta Ya'

'Heavy Rain'

'Devil's Bite'

'Death Ride'

'King Of Mean'

'Time Keeper'

'Never Cross My Way'

'Take My Medicine'

'Stay True Stay You'

'When Love Becomes A Lie'

'Book Of Faith'

'Dust And Rust' (bonus track)

A new audio preview can be heard below:

The band have uploaded footage from the studio featuring Francesco Jovino pounding out the drones for the new album. Check out the footage below:

U.D.O. hit the road in April for a rare North American tour. Dates are as follows:

April

10 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
11 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
12 - Montreal, QC - Foufounes Electriques
13 - St-Ferdinand, QC - Style Metal
14 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club
17 - Verona, WI - Heights Events Center
18 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
19 - Westland, MI - Token Lounge
20 - Joliet, IL - Mojoe's
21 -Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
23 - West Hollywood, CA - Whisky-A.-Go-Go