Russian Roulette

Many assumed that German rockers Accept would finally break through commercially with their 1986 release, RUSSIAN ROULETTE. Their previous two releases (1984's BALLS TO THE WALL, and 1985's METAL HEART) had built a solid cult following amongst metalheads stateside, and with such other up-and-coming metal acts as Metallica and Megadeth finding their niche, it seemed that Accept would be next in line.
RUSSIAN ROULETTE has a more commercial feel than its predecessors, perhaps aiming at the pop metal audience that had previously embraced bands like Motley Crue. While the album has its share of highlights ("Heaven Is Hell," "Stand Tight"), the change in direction would prove detrimental; longtime singer Udo Dirkschneider split shortly thereafter to form his own band, UDO, while Accept soldiered on with substitute singers.