Singer DAVID REECE Talks Upcoming Reunion on Stage w/ ACCEPT After 37 Years & New Album ' PAYLOAD'
Former Accept vocalist David Reece discusses his new Bangalore Choir album 'Payload', revisiting his Accept legacy, plus an emotional reunion with ACCEPT and Wolf Hoffmann that will see him performing alongside the band for two special European dates after 37 years.
Interview here
For David Reece, 2026 is shaping up to be a particularly memorable year. Not only is the former Accept vocalist preparing to release a new Bangalore Choir album, 'Payload' but he is also about to experience something he probably never imagined would happen again: sharing the stage with Accept nearly four decades after his departure from the band.
In an interview with The Metal Voice's Jimmy Kay, Reece opened up about the creative direction behind Payload, his continued passion for songwriting, and the unexpected invitation from Accept guitarist Wolf Hoffmann that has brought a long chapter of his musical history full circle.'
Scheduled for release on November 6, 2026, via El Puerto Records, Payload sees Reece continuing to explore the melodic hard rock sound that originally established Bangalore Choir with its 1992 debut, On Target.
Following the positive response to last year's Rapid Fire Succession: On Target Part II, Reece felt it was time to bring fresh songwriting perspectives into the project.
"I felt a real need to reach out and get some fresh writers to work with," explained Reece, highlighting his collaborations with Tommy McWilliams and Steve Gordon.
McWilliams brings an impressive musical résumé, having worked with artists including Shakira, Rod Stewart and Jon Secada, as well as collaborating with Richie Faulkner on the Elegant Weapons albums. Gordon, meanwhile, has produced and performed on numerous gold and platinum records.
The collaboration helped give Payload a refreshed sound while maintaining the melodic foundations that have always been central to Bangalore Choir.
Reece also explained why returning to the Bangalore Choir name was an important career decision.
"When I would play these BC songs, people are singing 'Just One Night,' 'Angel in Black.' They're singing along," he recalled. "But then I'm playing my solo stuff and they're kind of standing there going, 'Haven't heard this yet.'"
That audience response convinced him to revisit the Bangalore Choir identity.
One of the most interesting aspects of Payload is its emphasis on melody, memorable choruses and lyrics rooted in everyday human experiences.
The album's first single, "Tear It All Down," delivers an upbeat hard-rocking approach, while "The Damage That Remains" offers a particularly strong connection to the melodic hard rock sound of the 1980s.
During the interview, Jimmy Kay singled out the track 'The Damage That Remains', suggesting it could easily have been a major radio hit had it been released during that era.
Reece agreed that he remains connected to that musical period.
"I'm trapped in that void. But it's a good thing because that's where I come from."
Another standout is "Cost of the Grind," which Reece described as a song about the daily struggles of ordinary working people."It's about the average guy or girl, the cost of what you pay for grinding every day in and out."
The album also features the more reflective "A Bitter End," a slower composition that Reece is particularly fond of. Lyrically, he draws inspiration from the storytelling traditions of artists such as Don Henley and Tom Petty. Reece said, "I don't write a lot of woo-woo baby-baby stuff," he explained, emphasizing his preference for songs that explore real-life experiences.
For Reece, rock and roll should still have an emotional connection with its listeners, rather than relying entirely on heavy guitars and aggressive production.
Reece reflected in the musical direction of Payload, an album that balances harder rockers with mid-tempo material and slower melodic moments.
Production duties were shared between Steve Gordon and Reece's longtime friend Ricardo De Morosi, who mixed and mastered portions of the album.
Tracklist
1. Tear It All Down
2. Cost Of The Grind
3. Believing
4. I'll Take The Risk
5. The Damage That Remains
6. Nothing Left To Prove
7. Breakdown Unforgettable
8. Even If It's Nothing
9. Answer The Call
10. Bitter End
11. Late To The Party
12. Won't Fool Me Again
Line-up
• David Reece – Vocals
• Andy Susemihl – Guitars, Background Vocals
• Steve Gordon MIA – Guitars
• Tommy McWilliams – Drums
• Gorka Alegre – Bass
While Payload provided plenty to discuss, the biggest revelation of the interview was undoubtedly the news surrounding Reece's relationship with his former bandmates in Accept.
After approximately 37 years without direct communication with Wolf Hoffmann, Reece received an unexpected message while he was in Bulgaria performing at a festival in August.
Initially, he almost dismissed the communication as another spam call. However, when he checked his email, he discovered a message from Hoffmann himself.
The message was simple but life-changing.
"Hi David, how are you? I wonder if you'd be interested. I'd be very honored if you would join Accept live and perform some songs with us on the upcoming Teutonic Titans tour."
Reece was overwhelmed by the invitation.
"I think I almost broke into tears," he admitted. "The weight of it kind of being over. Like, finally I can."
For a singer whose time with Accept has remained an important and sometimes complicated part of his musical history, the invitation represented much more than simply another concert opportunity.
It was an opportunity to reconnect with people he had once shared an important chapter of his life with.
Reece confirmed that he will join Accept for two special appearances:
November 21, 2026 – Oberhausen, Germany
December 2, 2026 – Alcatraz, Milan, Italy
Although the exact songs have not been revealed, Reece confirmed that he will perform a few songs with the band.
He did, however, reveal one of the selections: "Hellhammer." (from Eat the heat)
"That's one of the obvious given," he said.
For Reece, the reunion is about more than nostalgia.
He believes that too much animosity in the music business is sometimes created and perpetuated by the media, while musicians themselves eventually move forward.
Referencing the possibility of former bandmates putting their differences aside, he compared the experience to seeing Ritchie Blackmore return to the stage with Deep Purple.
"For the fans, it was kind of like a sigh of relief. Enough of this already."
He added that simply being able to share the stage with Hoffmann and current Accept vocalist Mark Tornillo is something he deeply appreciates.
"I'm just honored to have them come back and say, 'Let's do this.'"
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