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.
In 1987, Udo Dirkschneider was fired from Accept and decided to embark on a solo career. According to Wolf Hoffmann, Dirkschneider was never fired but it was rather a mutual decision within the band to part ways. Supporting this decision, the songwriting team in Accept wrote his entire solo album, released in 1987 as Animal House under the band moniker U.D.O.
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.
Track listings
All music is composed by Accept and Deaffy.
Side one
1. "Animal House" 4:19
2. "Go Back to Hell" 4:31
3. "They Want War" 4:12
4. "Black Widow" 4:29
5. "In the Darkness" 4:03
Side two
6. "Lay Down the Law" 3:47
7. "We Want It Loud" 4:06
8. "Warrior" 4:12
9. "Coming Home" 3:39
10. "Run for Cover" 4:43
CD edition bonus track
8. "Hot Tonight" 4:47
Total length: 46:48
The album was reissued in 2013 by AFM Records with bonus tracks.
12. "Animal House" (live) 3:58
13. "They Want War" (live) 5:42
14. "In the Darkness" (live) 6:05
15. "They Want War" (Video) 4:25
16. "Go Back to Hell" (Live video) 4:02
Total length: 64:48
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 .