Animal House is the first album by German heavy metal band U.D.O., following Udo Dirkschneider's departure from Accept. It was recorded from August to October 1987 at Dierks Studios in Cologne. Released in 1987, it charted at No. 41 in Sweden.
The performance of the song "Lay Down the Law" is credited to Accept and U.D.O. The 'Pulheimer Kinder- und Jugendchor' contribute vocals to "They Want War".
In some releases of the album, a picture of the tour band including Dieter Rubach and Andy Susemihl was shown in the booklet. The album cover shows the line-up that recorded the album. An "Animal House" tour followed in early 1988. During this time they also toured with Guns N' Roses, Lita Ford and Zodiac Mindwarp. After Rubach left the band, they supported Ozzy Osbourne on all European dates in 1989.
The album was reissued in 2013 by AFM Records with bonus tracks.
Contents
Contemporary reviews
In the June 1988 issue of Circus magazine, music critic Paul Gallotta noted that the debut solo effort from the former Accept frontman demonstrated a surprisingly accessible musical direction. The reviewer observed that while the upbeat traditional European heavy metal tracks—such as "Black Widow," "Go Back to Hell," and the title track—delivered exactly what audiences anticipated, they were distinguished by genuine harmonies and a strong sense of melody. Furthermore, Gallotta emphasized that the most striking aspect of the record lay in its ballads. The publication highlighted "In the Darkness" and "Run for Cover" as exceptionally memorable compositions, arguing that their hook-laden nature allowed listeners to easily overlook the frontman's signature harsh and abrasive vocal delivery.
Personnel
Udo Dirkschneider – vocals
Mathias Dieth – guitars
Peter Szigeti – guitars
Frank Rittel – bass
Thomas Franke – drums
Production
Produced and engineered by Mark Dodson
Mixed by Mark Dodson and Gerd Rautenbauch
Assistant engineers: Uli Baronowsky, Thomas P. Sehringer
Recorded and mixed August–October 1987 at Dierks Studios, Cologne
Mastering at Sterling Sound Studios, New York
Cover idea, concept and realization: Peek-A-Boo (Donald Campbell, Nico Chiraiatti)
Cover photo: Akzent Studios
Anniversary Edition design: Tim Eckhorst