U.D.O. have announced "Voodoo Ranger," their twentieth studio album, for January 8, 2027 via Reigning Phoenix Music — the centrepiece of a year that also brings Udo Dirkschneider's 75th birthday and the band's 40th anniversary.
The album arrives with its first single, "I'll Die Trying," and an official video.
Rather than opening the campaign with an all-out attack, U.D.O. have led with one of the record's most personal moments — a classic ballad about perseverance and staying on your own path. That was not the original plan. "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," Dirkschneider explains, referring to bassist Peter Baltes and new guitarist Alen Brentini. "Rather than rush things, we decided to let 'I'll Die Trying' lead the way. Looking back, it feels like the right choice."
He is unbothered by the idea that a ballad makes a soft opening statement. "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," he says. "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."
The last verse, he adds, carries the most weight for him personally: "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."
"Voodoo Ranger" was written by Dirkschneider, drummer Sven Dirkschneider, Baltes and guitarist Fabian "Dee" Dammers, with additional contributions from Brentini. Martin "Mattes" Pfeiffer produced and mixed, Stefan Kaufmann handled mastering, and Eliran Kantor painted the artwork.
The album is only part of the 2027 programme. The band will mark four decades on the road with the extensive "Triple Anniversary Tour 2027" across Europe, drawing material from throughout their history, while Dirkschneider's official autobiography — written with Dan Dreyer — is published in the same month as the record.
"Voodoo Ranger" track listing:
- 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