They have delivered the goods yet again, and clearly still have so much more to offer.
Grave Digger is a Classic/Power Metal band from Germany. Formed back in the eighties, they produced some memorable albums then reformed in the early nineties and have been producing quality Metal albums fast and furiously ever since.
For those not in the know, the band is based around front-man Chris Boltendahl, Jens Becker on bass, drummer Stefan Arnold, guitar maestro Axel Ritt, and, of course, the GD himself – keyboardist Hans Peter Katzensberg. As always, the band's song titles ('Call For War', 'The Hangman's Eye', 'Kill Ritual' for example) leave you in no doubt what they are all about. Vocals are literally spat out (but you can still hear the lyrics clearly) and the guitar work is exceptionally fast and majestic. Ritt continues his guitar slinger work with the band and is as fast and accurate as ever; he stands shoulder to shoulder with anyone else in the genre.
There is melody in the music of GD; although they major in Metal mayhem, there is an inherent musicality in the band due to their mastery of the instruments and confidence in the genre. Closer 'Laughing With The Dead' would challenge any band in the domain of a brooding Doom-laden anthem rising to the stratosphere (image Dio focussing on the downsides of swords and sorcery).
Grave Digger retains their distinct style musically and image-wise (their albums cover work is instantly recognisable) and have delivered the goods yet again, and clearly still have so much more to offer.
Rob McKenzie
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