ACCEPT Announces “The Rise of Chaos 2025” Reunion Tour — First Major Live Shows Since 2007
Legendary German heavy metal band ACCEPT has officially confirmed what fans across the globe have been hoping for — a full-scale reunion tour in 2025. Titled The Rise of Chaos 2025, the tour marks ACCEPT’s first major live performances since their 2007 world tour and is already being heralded as one of the most anticipated metal events of the decade. The tour kicks off on June 10, 2025, at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, setting the stage for a thunderous return to the global spotlight.
This marks the first time since their sporadic festival appearances in the early 2010s that all surviving classic-era members — including frontman Udo Dirkschneider — will share the stage for a full tour. For longtime fans, the news is more than just a comeback; it’s a resurrection of one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time.
A Return Years in the Making
Whispers of a potential reunion have circulated in fan communities for years, but few expected it to materialize given ACCEPT’s long-standing internal divisions. Udo Dirkschneider’s departure in the late ‘80s created a permanent rift that splintered the group’s core fanbase for decades. Despite successful post-Udo albums and tours led by vocalist Mark Tornillo, many fans still viewed a full-fledged reunion as unlikely.
However, after a closed-door meeting in early January 2025 between Dirkschneider and guitarist Wolf Hoffmann — the group’s primary songwriter and longest-serving member — the seeds were planted for reconciliation. By March, rumors began swirling that the band was planning something major. On May 11, those rumors were confirmed with the official tour announcement accompanied by a teaser video featuring archival footage, thunderous riffs, and the words: “The chaos returns.”
Tour Scope and Itinerary
The Rise of Chaos 2025 tour is set to span four continents, with more than 50 dates already announced across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. The North American leg begins in Los Angeles before moving through major cities like Chicago, Toronto, New York, Dallas, and Atlanta. The European stretch includes performances at iconic venues such as London’s O2 Arena, Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena, and a historic hometown show in Solingen, Germany — ACCEPT’s birthplace.
Notably, the band will perform at several major festivals, including Sweden Rock, Wacken Open Air, and Hellfest in France. Tickets are expected to sell out rapidly, with presales for fan club members beginning May 15 and general sales opening on May 17.
Classic Lineup Reunited
The tour will feature the reunion of ACCEPT’s classic lineup, including Udo Dirkschneider (vocals), Wolf Hoffmann (guitar), Peter Baltes (bass), and Stefan Kaufmann (drums). This marks the first time this configuration has toured together in nearly four decades. The chemistry that powered timeless albums like Balls to the Wall (1983), Metal Heart (1985), and Restless and Wild (1982) will once again take center stage.
“It’s not just about playing the old songs,” said Dirkschneider in a recent press statement. “It’s about reminding the world where true heavy metal comes from — raw power, melody, and a defiance that never dies.”
Wolf Hoffmann echoed the sentiment, adding, “After everything we’ve been through, it feels right. The world has changed, but the music hasn’t. We owe it to ourselves — and to the fans — to do this right.”
A New Album on the Horizon?
While the primary focus is on the tour, the reunion has also sparked speculation about new material. Though nothing has been confirmed, industry insiders suggest the band has been quietly recording sessions in Hamburg and Los Angeles since March.
Baltes hinted at the possibility of new music during a radio interview in Berlin: “We’ve been jamming. That’s all I’ll say. If something great comes out of it — you’ll hear it.”
If a new album does emerge, it would be the first studio release from the classic lineup since 1986’s Russian Roulette, a record that marked the end of an era for ACCEPT before multiple lineup changes altered the band’s trajectory.
Influence and Legacy
Formed in the late 1970s in Solingen, Germany, ACCEPT helped define the sound of European heavy metal. Their fusion of aggressive riffs, soaring vocals, and symphonic elements influenced a generation of bands, including Metallica, Megadeth, and Helloween. The band’s iconic anthem “Balls to the Wall” remains a staple of hard rock radio and is often cited as one of the defining tracks of the genre.
Over the decades, ACCEPT’s commitment to intensity and musicianship never wavered. While commercial peaks came and went, their underground credibility only grew stronger. Today, their influence is embedded in the DNA of heavy metal culture.
What Fans Can Expect
Setlists for The Rise of Chaos 2025 are expected to blend classic hits with deep cuts and fan favorites. Confirmed tracks include “Fast as a Shark,” “Princess of the Dawn,” “Breaker,” “Metal Heart,” and, of course, “Balls to the Wall.” The band has also promised a few surprises — possibly revamped versions of lesser-played tracks or even unreleased material.
Stage production will reportedly feature a visually immersive experience, incorporating pyrotechnics, LED backdrops, and thematic nods to the band’s dystopian aesthetic from albums like The Rise of Chaos (2017), from which the tour name is drawn.
The Metal World Reacts
The announcement has sent shockwaves through the metal community. Fellow musicians and fans alike have expressed their excitement online. Rob Halford of Judas Priest wrote on Instagram, “ACCEPT back on the road? About damn time. True pioneers.” Meanwhile, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett tweeted, “The tour of the year. Maybe the decade. I’m there.”
Music critics, too, are buzzing. Rolling Stone’s Lars Jensen wrote, “This isn’t just a nostalgia tour — it’s a seismic shift in the modern metal landscape. ACCEPT helped build this house. Now they’re returning to reclaim it.”
Conclusion
For fans of classic heavy metal, The Rise of Chaos 2025 tour represents far more than a series of concerts. It is a long-awaited homecoming for one of the genre’s most respected and foundational bands. ACCEPT’s reunion brings with it the fire of old-school metal reborn in a new age — louder, heavier, and more unapologetic than ever.
As the opening chords ring out at SoFi Stadium on June 10, a new chapter will begin — one forged in chaos, bu
t rooted in legacy. The kings of German metal are back.