Accept Tour Truck Attacked Near Barcelona; Iconic Guitar Among Stolen Items
German heavy metal legends Accept have fallen victim to a violent robbery just hours after performing at a rock festival in Barcelona. According to the festival organizers, the band’s tour truck was attacked while transporting stage equipment, resulting in the theft of valuable gear and personal belongings.
The incident took place at a rest area on the AP-7 motorway, around 30 kilometers from Barcelona. Reports indicate that four hooded men armed with metal bars approached the vehicle during a stop.
One of the attackers allegedly attempted to force his way into the truck’s cab, where the driver was still inside, while the others broke the lock on the trailer and gained access to the cargo area. The thieves escaped with lighting equipment, flight cases containing computers and electronics used during the band’s live performances, as well as several personal belongings.
The most significant loss for Accept was a Framus Custom Shop Masterbuilt WH-1 “The Rise Of Chaos” guitar belonging to guitarist and founding member Wolf Hoffmann. The instrument holds great sentimental value and has been a regular part of Hoffmann’s live performances.
In an effort to recover the guitar, the band has announced a €2,000 reward for information leading to its return.
Accept were not the only band targeted during the festival. Fellow German metal veterans Helloween also reported a theft, although in their case no violence was involved. Thieves reportedly stole equipment belonging to the band’s touring photographer, including a locked MacBook Pro and a Nikon Z6III camera.
The incidents once again highlight the security risks faced by touring artists. While equipment theft is unfortunately not uncommon, the violent nature of the attack on Accept’s tour truck has made this one of the most shocking cases in recent memory.
