Accept - Kaizoku-Ban (Live EP) (1985)

intothewellsabyss
Dec 2, 2022
2 min read

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊& 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

In December 1985, Accept released their live EP Kaizoku-Ban via Portrait Records in the US (released in Europe via RCA Records).

It was recorded in Nagoya, Japan on September 19, 1985, and released on vinyl that same year.

Background:

In 1985, Accept released their album, Metal Heart. Produced by Scorpions producer Dieter Dierks, it represented what many consider as the band's creative peak.

Following the release of Metal Heart, Accept toured the world supporting the album, and documented the live shows with the live mini-album Kaizoku-Ban.

Though this is an official release, the title (海賊版) translates as Pirate Edition or Bootleg.

The cassette tape version of this release had the unusual feature of having all six songs recorded on both sides. Because of the duration of the six songs, it was feasible to release it this way.

Kaizoku-Ban was later re-released as Live in Japan in 1992.

All six songs are available as bonus tracks on the 2002 BMG remasters of Balls to the Wall, Metal Heart, and Russian Roulette.

Critical Reception:

In a review for AllMusic, Andy Hinds states:

“This EP gives a quick glimpse of Accept's awesome power as a live band. Recorded during the band's peak, on its Metal Heart tour in Japan, Kaizoku-Ban is presented in raw form, with no overdubs. But for a far better picture of Accept's concert stamina (with superior production values), go with the full-length Staying a Life, also recorded in Japan in 1985.”

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells