Backstage at the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Balingen, Germany, U.D.O. (featuring former ACCEPT singer Udo Dirkschneider), the man and the band, along with AFM Records held a listening session for the forthcoming Dominator, scheduled for an August 21st release. What follows are Mark Gromen's on-the-fly, running commentary about each rack, as it played in real time. This is not intended to be a review, but a teaser, to whet fans' appetite for the next two months.

'The Bogeyman': atmospheric opening, "ah, ah", turns into a mid-tempo stomp with chorus "He is the Bogeyman. He lives inside your head. He is the Bogeyman Never will he be dead." The chorus switches channels, left to right.

'Dominator': Not about BW&BK; scribe Dom Lawson! Priestly bass-heavy start. Overall, more lively than opener. Staccatto riffs, ends with a cappella titular word.

'Black And White': slow Accept-ish intro, minimalistic. Has the sound of a hit single. Sing along chorus, easy shout for the crowd. Title phrase comprises lions share of the lyrics.

'Infected': first single EP (pictured; widget below) available with four-non-album cuts! Sped up with plenty of time for guitar elaboration.

'Heavy Metal Heaven': cannonading drums at beginning - plod pace, trying to be power metal? Vocals switch channels as Udo sings "I'm untouchable. I'm invincible." Purposeful, nearly a cappella anthemic title phrase. Not a strong song, despite the title.

'Doom Ride' has nothing to do with slow paced music. Mid-tempo, Accept-style. Solo in the left channel. "One way ticket on the doom ride."

'Stillness Of Time': piano introduced and ended. Synth strings behind the main song. Power ballad wannabe, acoustic guitar accents throughout.

'Devil's Rendezvous': laugh, then a swing beat. Gang vocal chorus of the titular phrase. Think 'Putting On The Ritz', not metal, but infectious and instantly memorable!

'Speed Demon': lives up to its name, jumping out of the speakers with 'Fast As A Shark' intensity. "Speed demon, ready for the race".

'Whispers In The Dark': piano and synth strings again introduce. Tambourine added. Pretty much a full blown ballad, although acoustic guitar heralds a pick up in fullness of sound. Never rises above a crawl, with piano evident throughout. Continues tradition of odd/unconventional ways to close an album. Fades out with piano and acoustic guitar.