Published: June 3, 2026
The German heavy metal pioneers begin their 50th anniversary celebration with the first preview of ‘Teutonic Titans 1976–2026,’ arriving September 4 via Napalm Records
ACCEPT have released a newly recorded version of their classic song “Fast As A Shark”, marking the beginning of the band's fiftieth anniversary celebration. Originally released on “Restless and Wild” in 1982, the song returns with an expanded lineup that includes Phil Anselmo, Kirk Hammett, Mikkey Dee, and Billy Sheehan alongside ACCEPT members Wolf Hoffmann and Mark Tornillo.
The new recording serves as the first preview of “Teutonic Titans 1976–2026”, a career-spanning release scheduled for September 4, 2026 through Napalm Records. The album revisits key moments from ACCEPT's catalog through newly recorded versions featuring guest musicians drawn from across the international heavy metal community.
Rockum previously covered the album announcement in ACCEPT Announce 'Teutonic Titans 1976–2026' Featuring Rob Halford, Kirk Hammett, Tobias Forge and 50 Guest Artists.
Readers can also revisit Rockum's exclusive interview with founding guitarist Wolf Hoffmann in ACCEPT – Wolf Hoffmann – Too Mean To Die Interview Rockum Radio Show w/ Gino Alache.
Widely regarded as one of the defining recordings of early speed metal, “Fast As A Shark” originally appeared on ACCEPT's 1982 album “Restless and Wild”. The song became known for its rapid tempo, aggressive riffing, and unusual opening, which featured the traditional German folk tune “Ein Heller und ein Batzen.”
For the new version, ACCEPT revisited that opening by recording a fresh interpretation of the folk melody using traditional Bavarian instrumentation before launching into the song itself.
The recording features:
Phil Anselmo — Vocals
Kirk Hammett — Guitar
Mikkey Dee — Drums
Billy Sheehan — Bass
Wolf Hoffmann — Guitar
Mark Tornillo — Vocals
Kirk Hammett described his participation as an opportunity to acknowledge the influence ACCEPT had on his own development as a musician.
THE ALBUM — “TEUTONIC TITANS 1976–2026”
Spanning material originally released between “I'm A Rebel” (1980) and “Eat The Heat” (1989), the album revisits nineteen songs from ACCEPT's catalog through newly recorded performances featuring a different combination of guest musicians on nearly every track.
Among the participants are:
Rob Halford
Tobias Forge
K. K. Downing
Bobby Blitz
Hansi Kürsch
Chris Jericho
Ralf Scheepers
Billy Sheehan
Jeff Loomis
Ola Englund
Matthias Jabs
David Ellefson
and many others.
According to Wolf Hoffmann, the project was conceived as a way to celebrate both ACCEPT's history and the musicians who have supported and been influenced by the band throughout the past five decades.
TEUTONIC TITANS 1976–2026 TRACKLIST
1. Fast As A Shark
2. Balls To The Wall
3. Aiming High
4. Run If You Can
5. Hellhammer
6. Metal Heart
7. Losers And Winners
8. Save Us
9. Up To The Limit
10. Wrong Is Right
11. Starlight
12. Fight It Back
13. Love Child
14. Breaker
15. Demon's Night
16. T.V. War
17. London Leatherboys
18. Monsterman
19. Restless And Wild
FORMATS
“Teutonic Titans 1976–2026” will be available in the following formats:
2-LP Gatefold Liquid Edition (numbered, certificate of authenticity)
2-LP Gatefold White Label Edition (numbered, dated, certificate of authenticity)
2-CD Deluxe Metal Box (flag, sweatband, lanyard, backstage pass)
2-CD Earbook (48-page booklet)
2-LP Splattered Black Smoke / Black White Vinyl
2-LP Gatefold Solid Silver Vinyl
2-LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
2-CD Digisleeve
Digital Album
ACCEPT LIVE 2026 FESTIVALS
May 1 — Kopervik, Norway — Karmøygeddon Metal Festival
June 5 — Pilsen, Czech Republic — Metalfest
June 18 — Dessel, Belgium — Graspop Metal Meeting
June 19 — Clisson, France — Hellfest
July 4 — Barcelona, Spain — Rock Fest
July 10 — Nideggen, Germany — Tollrock Festival
July 12 — Herten, Germany — Zeche Ewald
July 25 — Istanbul, Türkiye — Maximum Uniq Open Air
July 27 — Sofia, Bulgaria — National Palace of Culture
July 29 — Ghimbav-Braov, Romania — Rockstad Extreme Fest
August 7 — Helsinki, Finland — Hellsinki Metalfest
August 29 — Newark, England — Stonedead Festival
WITH TAILGUNNER
August 27 — Wolverhampton, England — KK's Steel Mill
August 28 — London, England — Indigo at The O2
WITH DYNAZTY + TAILGUNNER
November 19 — Leipzig, Germany — Haus Auensee
November 20 — Lingen, Germany — Emsland Arena
November 21 — Oberhausen, Germany — Turbinenhalle
November 22 — Paris, France — L'Olympia
November 24 — Balingen, Germany — Volksbankmesse
November 25 — Lyon, France — Transbordeur
November 27 — Valencia, Spain — Auditorio
November 28 — Madrid, Spain — La Cubierta
November 29 — Toulouse, France — Le Bikini
December 1 — Zurich, Switzerland — Komplex 457
December 2 — Milan, Italy — Alcatraz
December 4 — Vienna, Austria — Gasometer
December 5 — Zlín, Czech Republic — Sports Hall Datart
December 6 — Budapest, Hungary — Barba Negra
December 8 — Berlin, Germany — Uber Eats Music Hall
December 9 — Gliwice, Poland — Arena Gliwice
December 11 — Hamburg, Germany — Inselpark Arena
December 12 — Offenbach, Germany — Stadthalle
December 13 — Brussels, Belgium — AB
December 15 — Herford, Germany — Kulturwerk
December 16 — Tilburg, Netherlands — O13
December 18 — Neu-Ulm, Germany — Ratiopharm Arena
December 19 — Geiselwind, Germany — Eventhall
December 20 — Munich, Germany — Zenith
ACCEPT ARE
Wolf Hoffmann — Guitar
Mark Tornillo — Vocals
Philip Shouse — Guitar
Martin Motnik — Bass
Christopher Williams — Drums
Founded in Germany during the 1970s, ACCEPT became one of the most influential bands in the development of traditional heavy metal and speed metal. Albums such as “Restless and Wild,” “Balls To The Wall,” “Metal Heart,” and “Russian Roulette” helped establish the band's reputation internationally, while songs including “Fast As A Shark” became reference points for future generations of metal musicians.
With “Teutonic Titans 1976–2026,” ACCEPT revisit key moments from their catalog through collaborations that bring together musicians from multiple generations of heavy metal. Beginning with a new version of “Fast As A Shark,” the project serves as both a retrospective of the band's history and a reflection of the influence their music continues to have across the global metal community.
Written by Gino Alache – Music Journalist
Photo Credit: ROBERT JOHN
Watch the newly released version of “Fast As A Shark” below.
