Dirkschneider/U.D.O. announce guitarist Bill Hudson to replace Kasperi Heikkinen

Dirkschneider/U.D.O. announce guitarist Bill Hudson to replace Kasperi Heikkinen

Former Accept frontman Udo Dirkschneider‘s two bands, U.D.O. and Dirkschneider (the latter which only plays Accept songs), have announced that Brazilian guitarist Bill Hudson will be replacing Kasperi Heikkinen. It had previously been announced last month that Heikkinen was leaving the band for personal reasons.

The following message was just posted on Dirkschneider‘s Facebook page today: 

“We are very proud to announce that Mr. Bill Hudson from Brazil is the new guitarist of Dirkschneider/U.D.O.!

Bill is based in the United States, but has already been in Pulheim a few weeks ago to join the songwriting session for our next album which we will start recording soon.

Bill fits in, in every way, perfectly with us and builds a fantastic guitar team together with Andrey Smirnov. He is very experienced and has shared the stage with several known bands, most notably Circle II Circle, Jon Oliva’s Pain and TSO for the last few years. It’s not really necessary to talk about his skills, simply check it out on our next tour and you will see what we’re talking about!

After Kasperi left the band we have received many suggestions and applications from great guitar players from all over the planet. At the same time, we started getting hints from different and unrelated people in the business pointing straight into the same direction, telling us to check out this Brazilian/American guy. Once in Germany he convinced everybody from the get go and it was very clear that this guy had all the requirements to become the new band member.

We are REALLY looking forward to kick ass even more so than ever before!”

Heikkinen was in U.D.O. from 2013 to 2017 and in Dirkschneider since that band’s inception. The following message was posted by Dirkschneider on their Facebook page back on February 17th regarding Heikkinen‘s departure:

“Kasperi leaves U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER

Kasperi Heikkinen is leaving U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER for personal reason. There is no bad blood or drama in this departure! The band and especially Udo wanna thank Kasperi for his great support and many fantastic shows on this planet. All the best Kasperi!!!!!!!!!

Kasperi‘s statement: I want to thank everyone, especially the fans, for these great four years I was in the band. I also wish all the best for the band with their future endeavors. From now on I will focus on my other music projects and some different outlets of creativity. You will surely hear from me again when the time is right. Stay metal and tsönk all the way!”

Thank you everybody!!!!!!”