After 42 years as a member, Baltes announced his departure from Accept in November 2018; the band later replaced him with former Uli Jon Roth sideman Martin Motnik. In 2023, Baltes would go on to join U.D.O. alongside his former Accept band mate, Udo Dirkschneider.
After 42 years as a member, Baltes declared his departure from Accept in November 2018; the band subsequently replaced him with Martin Motnik, a former sideman of Uli Jon Roth. In 2023, Baltes would join U.D.O., alongside his former Accept bandmate, Udo Dirkschneider.