German/American heavy metal pioneers ACCEPT have announced their 50th-anniversary European tour, comprising 24 headline shows across 11 countries in what promises to be one of the landmark metal touring events of late 2026. The "Half A Century Of Metal" trek will see the band bring five decades of metal history to stages across Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
Swedish power metal outfit DYNAZTY and rising British NWOBHM revivalists TAILGUNNER will serve as support acts, creating a strong triple bill that spans generations of heavy metal. Tickets go on sale February 27 at 10:00 CET, with an exclusive Eventim presale launching February 24 for fans eager to secure their spots early.
ACCEPT's legacy in heavy metal is monumental. Formed in Solingen, Germany in 1976, the band — originally led by vocalist Udo Dirkschneider — helped define the sound of European heavy metal through the 1980s with genre-defining albums like "Restless and Wild" (1982), "Balls to the Wall" (1983), and "Metal Heart" (1985). The anthemic "Balls to the Wall" remains one of heavy metal's most recognized songs globally, and the band's aggressive, riff-driven approach laid groundwork that would later influence the development of thrash metal, speed metal, and power metal.
After a period of decline and dissolution, ACCEPT roared back to life in 2010 with vocalist Mark Tornillo replacing the departed Dirkschneider. The comeback album "Blood of the Nations" was hailed as a triumphant return to form, and subsequent releases like "Stalingrad," "Blind Rage," and "Too Mean to Die" proved that the resurgence was no fluke. In September 2025, the band parted ways with guitarist Uwe Lulis, reverting to their traditional two-guitar lineup.
ACCEPT will also release a special anniversary album featuring a carefully curated selection of the best ACCEPT songs from the last five decades, re-recorded with well-known surprise musical guests and colleagues. The combination of a definitive live celebration and a reimagined studio album makes the 50th anniversary a fitting tribute to one of heavy metal's most important bands.