U.D.O. ARE STARTING THEIR ANNIVERSARY YEAR DIFFERENTLY
Their new single takes a deeply personal turn.
Published: 18 Sep 26 • Author: Rock Metal Machine • Reading Time: T5 mins
U.D.O. kick off a landmark 2027 with “I’ll Die Trying,” the first single from their 20th studio album, Voodoo Ranger. The release coincides with Udo Dirkschneider’s 75th birthday and U.D.O.’s 40th anniversary, with the personal ballad setting the tone for this special album.
RELEASE DETAILS
Artist:
U.D.O
Album:
Voodoo Ranger
Release Date:
8th Jan 2027
Record Label:
Reigning Phoenix Music Pre Order:
Link Formats:
TBC
PR Label:
2027 marks a unique triple anniversary for Udo Dirkschneider and U.D.O.: Udo turns 75, U.D.O. celebrate 40 years as a band, and Voodoo Ranger marks the release of the German heavy metal institution’s 20th studio album. This very special record release will be celebrated on January 8, 2027 via powerhouse label Reigning Phoenix Music.
Today, U.D.O. open this milestone chapter with the first taste of Voodoo Ranger: new single “I’ll Die Trying.” Accompanied by an official music video, the track also marks the launch of the album pre-order.
🔥 FIREWORKS INSIGHT
For U.D.O., 2027 brings together three milestones that neatly frame Udo Dirkschneider’s remarkable second act: 75 years of age, four decades of U.D.O. and a 20th studio album. That longevity is rooted in a career that stretches back to Accept’s formative years and includes landmark records such as Metal Heart and Russian Roulette, before U.D.O. established their own identity from 1987 onwards. The choice of a personal ballad as Voodoo Ranger’s opening statement also recalls Dirkschneider’s long-standing belief that melody belongs alongside muscle in heavy metal. For fans, the album becomes more than another U.D.O. release: it marks a rare intersection of personal history, band continuity and heavy metal tradition.
Rather than launching Voodoo Ranger with an all-out metal attack, U.D.O. introduce the album with one of its most personal moments. “I’ll Die Trying” is a classic U.D.O. ballad about perseverance, self-belief and staying true to your path, carried by the unmistakable voice of Udo Dirkschneider.
The song also became the album’s first single through an unexpected turn of events — a change of plans that, as Udo explains, ultimately felt like the right choice.
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▶ WATCH THE NEW SINGLE
Want to hear the first taste of Voodoo Ranger for yourself? Watch the official video below.
Stream “I’ll Die Trying” HERE: https://udo.rpm.link/dietryingPR
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Udo Dirkschneider comments:
“‘I’ll Die Trying’ is one of the most personal songs on Voodoo Ranger. It’s about never giving up, believing in yourself and always moving forward, no matter what life throws at you. The last verse especially means a lot to me because it reflects what I’ve experienced on stage for so many years. Every concert is a special moment and as long as people want to hear me sing, I’ll keep giving everything I’ve got. I’ve always believed that a great ballad can be just as powerful as the heaviest metal songs, and throughout my career these songs have become some of the most memorable ones. ‘I’ll Die Trying’ is another one of those songs that comes straight from the heart.
We originally planned to launch Voodoo Ranger with a different song, but after Peter and Alen were injured during one of the recent concerts of the Balls To The Wall – 40th Anniversary Tour, we had to postpone the original video production. Rather than rush things, we decided to let ‘I’ll Die Trying’ lead the way. Looking back, it feels like the right choice. The song captures a side of U.D.O. that has always been important to me. Ballads have been part of my career from the very beginning, and our fans have always embraced them. At the same time, nobody should think this album is getting softer: Voodoo Ranger is packed with classic U.D.O. power and has plenty of surprises waiting.”
‘I’ll Die Trying’ is one of the most personal songs on Voodoo Ranger.
Udo Dirkshneider
And Voodoo Ranger does indeed have more than a few surprises in store.
The album finds U.D.O. as unmistakable as ever with their signature sound firmly intact. Powerful riffs, massive hooks and Udo Dirkschneider’s unique voice meet heavier and darker moments.
Written by Udo Dirkschneider, Sven Dirkschneider, Peter Baltes and Fabian “Dee” Dammers, with additional contributions from new guitarist Alen Brentini, Voodoo Ranger brings four decades of heavy metal experience into an album that sounds unmistakably U.D.O. The album was produced and mixed by Martin “Mattes” Pfeiffer, mastered by Stefan Kaufmann, while its artwork was painted by acclaimed artist Eliran Kantor.
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Voodoo Ranger Tracklist:
Testify
The Sky Is The Limit
Keep Me Alive
Back Breaker
I'll Die Trying
Reach For The Crown
Pain & Glory
Hell Hunt
Voodoo Ranger
Magic Life
Devil's Mind
Movin' On
The album is only one part of what will make 2027 an exceptional year for Udo Dirkschneider and U.D.O. The band will celebrate four decades of U.D.O. live with the extensive Triple Anniversary Tour 2027, taking the anniversary across Europe and bringing together material from throughout the band’s history.
At the same time, another major chapter in Dirkschneider’s story will be told away from the stage: his official autobiography, created together with Dan Dreyer, will be published in the very same month as Voodoo Ranger.
Album, book and tour therefore meet at a unique point in his career. After more than five decades in heavy metal, Udo Dirkschneider has plenty of history to look back on — but Voodoo Ranger makes one thing equally clear: U.D.O. are still looking ahead. 75 years. 40 years of U.D.O. 20 albums. And the metal heart keeps beating.
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U.D.O. – TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2027
09.01.2027 DE-Leipzig, Haus Auensee
10.01.2027 DE-Hamburg, Große Freiheit 36
11.01.2027 DE-Berlin, Huxleys Neue Welt
12.01.2027 DE-Frankfurt, Batschkapp
13.01.2027 DE-Braunschweig, Westand
15.01.2027 DE-Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle
16.01.2027 DE-Markneukirchen, Musikhalle
17.01.2027 DE-Munich, Backstage Werk
18.01.2027 DE-Stuttgart, LKA-Longhorn
19.01.2027 FR-Paris, Bataclan
21.01.2027 CH-Pratteln, Konzertfabrik Z7
23.01.2027 ES-Barcelona, Sala Apolo
24.01.2027 ES-Madrid, Revi Live
25.01.2027 ES-Villava, Sala TOTEM Aretoa
27.01.2027 ES-Seville, Sala Custom
28.01.2027 PT-Lisbon, LAV - Lisboa ao Vivo
29.01.2027 PT-Porto, Hard Club
01.02.2027 IT-Milano, Magazzini Generali
02.02.2027 SI-Ljubljana, Club Cvetličarna
04.02.2027 BG-Sofia, Hristo Botev Hall
05.02.2027 RO-Bucharest, Quantic
07.02.2027 HU-Budapest, Barba Negra
08.02.2027 CZ-Ostrava, Club Garage
09.02.2027 CZ-Brno, Sono Centrum
11.02.2027 PL-Wroclaw, Concert Center A2
12.02.2027 PL-Poznan, B17
13.02.2027 PL-Krakow, Studio Kraków
14.02.2027 PL-Warsaw, Progresja
15.02.2027 PL-Gdańsk, Stary Manez
17.02.2027 SE-Gothenburg, Pustervik
18.02.2027 NO-Oslo, Vulkan Arena
20.02.2027 FI-Tampere, Tavara-asema Tickets & further information: https://udo-online.de/tourdates.html
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U.D.O. Artist Line-Up:
Udo Dirkschneider – Vocals
Sven Dirkschneider – Drums
Fabian "Dee" Dammers – Guitar
Peter Baltes – Bass
Alen Brentini – Guitar
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Images courtesy of Martin Hausler / All Noir
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