Former ACCEPT bassist Peter Baltes has been hospitalized following a serious fall from the stage during DIRKSCHNEIDER's July 25 concert at Pyraser Classic Rock Night at Pyraser Landbrauerei in the Thalmässing district of Pyras, Germany.
In a statement released Sunday, July 26, both U.D.O.
and DIRKSCHNEIDER — fronted by ex-ACCEPT singer Udo Dirkschneider — confirmed the incident: "Notice about the Pyraser Classic Rock Night," they wrote.
"During our performance at the Pyraser Classic Rock Night, Peter Baltes and [U.D.O.
and DIRKSCHNEIDER guitarist] Alen Brentini suffered serious falls due to insufficient safety conditions on stage.
Alen suffered several severe contusions and other injuries.
Fortunately, despite this, he is in a condition to continue performing.
Peter suffered three rib fractures and is being treated at a hospital in Nuremberg.
He is likely not to be able to perform for a longer period.
Our thoughts are with him, and we wish a speedy and complete recovery." The statement continued: "Despite these difficult circumstances, DIRKSCHNEIDER will continue to perform the scheduled shows as planned.
We will release more information as soon as it is available.
Thank you very much for the support and for all the messages of well-being sent to Peter and Alen." A fan-filmed video of the incident is available online.
Baltes, who exited ACCEPT in 2018 after more than three decades with the Wolf Hoffmann-led band, previously stated in June 2023: "I wasn't the happiest person in ACCEPT before.
In my life, every day counts.
When you reach my age, I wanna enjoy my life and I don't wanna do anything I don't like.
I have that right now." Baltes was first called in as a bassist for U.D.O.
during the fall 2022 European tour, after then-bassist Tilen Hudrap was hospitalized.
Alen Brentini joined U.D.O.
and DIRKSCHNEIDER in October 2025 as replacement for Andrey Smirnov, who announced his exit earlier that month.
DIRKSCHNEIDER is the name of Udo Dirkschneider's band that performs exclusively ACCEPT material.
Although Udo announced in 2013 that his initial DIRKSCHNEIDER tour would mark his final time performing ACCEPT songs, he has continued to play select shows under the DIRKSCHNEIDER banner for over a decade.
U.D.O.'s latest album, "Touchdown," was released in August 2023 through Atomic Fire Records."