Udo Dirkschneider (born 6 April 1952) is a German singer who first gained prominence as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Accept. After leaving Accept in 1987, he formed the band U.D.O., with which he also achieved commercial success. Dirkschneider has had a career spanning almost five decades and is associated with the development of German heavy metal. His raspy vocal style and use of prominent choruses contributed to Accept’s sound and recognition within the heavy metal genre. Read more on Last.fm