On disc: Grave Digger

 
 Heart Of Darkness
 
- Volker Raabe -
 
 


 
 Tunes Of War
 
- Volker Raabe -
 
 


 
 Tunes Of Wacken
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Tunes of Wacken (DVD)
 
- Jörg Petersen -
 
  


 
 The Grave Digger
 
- Volker Raabe -
 
 


 
 Pray (EP)
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 The Clans Will Rise Again
 
- Mike Thompson -
 
 


 
 The Ballad Of Mary (EP)
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 The Ballad Of Mary (EP)
 
- Mike Thompson -
 
 

The Ballad Of Mary

(Napalm Records - 2011)



 
 

 

For this EP Grave Digger have revisited two classics from arguably their best album, Tunes Of War. Two versions of The Ballad Of Mary are included and a new version of Rebellion (The Clans Are Marching) as well as two instrumental versions of tracks from the latest full-length The Clans Will Rise Again.

The first version of The Ballad Of Mary is a traditional take on the song, newly recorded with guest vocals from the queen of metal Doro Pesch. To say that this version is superior to the original in every way is an understatement of epic proportions. Boltendahl's vocal performance is much clearer and the sections in which Doro sings are simply breathtaking. Passionate and beautiful, this duet adds so much to the song.

Next up is arguably the all-time Grave Digger classic (with Heavy Metal Breakdown of course); Rebellion (The Clans Are Marching). In contrast to the previous song I prefer the original version of this track. It just seems heavier! However, the one thing this version does have is guest vocals by none other than Blind Guardian singer Hansi Kürsch whose unique voice adds a new layer to the track.

Third song is an orchestral version of The Ballad Of Mary. An interesting take on the song with Boltendahl and Doro's duet again lifting the track. I prefer the more traditional re-recording but this is still fantastic.

The final tracks are where the EP falls down a little. Both tracks, Highland Farewell and Coming Home, are brilliant songs from The Clans Will Rise Again and here they are presented as instrumental tracks with choirs on the chorus. Unfortunately in my opinion the songs should have either been completely instrumental or the choirs should have been used more. Highland Farewell in particular gets pretty annoying when the choirs start singing the same few lines over and over again. There is also some production issue where the original vocal lines can still be heard faintly on Highland Farewell. Neither of these renditions of the songs are bad, just not up to the standard of the first three songs.

Overall, a very good EP from the German legends. The clans have risen once again and they command that you add this EP to your collection! If nothing else it would be worth it for Doro's performance on the title track.
 
 










Mike Thompson


  
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The Ballad Of Mary

(Napalm Records - 2011)



 
 

 

At Wacken 2010 Grave Digger celebrated their 30th anniversary - and recorded a DVD. Now they present as an appetizer an EP with 5 tracks, no new songs, but some interesting versions of band classics, so they kick off with The Ballad Of Mary in 2 versions, at both versions Grave Digger are joined by Doro Pesch and Van Canto. One is labeled 'extended symphonic version', but it's 6 sec. shorter then the opening track...

Between the 2 versions they placed Rebellion, a Grave Digger classic. This time Chris Boltendahl is sharing vocal duties with Hansi Kürsch. This version sound quite heavy, probably due to the fact that it's following the balladesque The Ballad Of Mary... But also has a symphonic edge due to the choir.

The last two tracks are 'instrumentals' off The Clans Will Rise Again, this time it's instrumental versions spiced up with a choir. They offer Highland Farewell and Coming Home in this unusual sound... a Majestic edge.

This EP is interesting for Grave Digger fans and metal fans who saw them at Wacken 2010 and are interested in this special versions. I wouldn't say it's a must-have, but if you aren't going to get the DVD, then this is a nice piece to revive the memory.

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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The Clans Will Rise Again

(Napalm Records - 2010)



 
 

 

Thirty years of the Reaper! What better way to celebrate this latest milestone in Grave Digger's history than to re-visit the setting of arguable their best album? Grave Digger's seminal Tunes Of War was based on the history and culture of Scotland and featured classics such as Rebellion (The Clans Are Marching) and Scotland United.

When I first heard Tunes Of War, my first Grave Digger experience, I actually thought it was by a Scottish band, so deeply did the Germans seem to evoke the valor, majesty and spirit of the Highlands. Whenever Grave Digger write about Scotland the outcome is always of the highest order. They have returned to this setting before; Highland Tears from 2007's Liberty Or Death was one of that albums strongest songs and who could forget the Templar-inspired Battle Of Bannockburn from 1998's Knights Of The Cross? In short, I expected a lot from this album.

Guess what? They gone and done it again! I was frankly disappointed with last years Ballads Of A Hangman. It was not bad, just average. It had no song that I would consider a stand-out track. This latest album is Grave Digger back to their rocking best with tracks like Highland Farewell, The Clans Will Rise Again and Valley Of Tears.

The Clans Will Rise Again is the first album to feature the new axeman Axel 'Ironfinger' Ritt who it seems has added a much-needed dose of refreshing energy to the band. His style is not quite as aggressive as Uwe Lulis, but he fits the band's style with no problems and his guitar drives the music forward with aplomb.

Grave Digger would, of course, not be Grave Digger without the inimitable vocals of the iconic Chris Boltendahl and fans will be pleased to note that he is on top form throughout this album. I still don't think his voice is suited to ballads but almost every song on this album is a mid to fast-paced rocker which suits Chris' vocals perfectly. He sings clearly, passionately and as in all preceding albums, the trademark grit adds to the heaviness of Grave Digger!

In my opinion this is Grave Digger's best album since Excalibur. When you consider that period includes greats such as Rheingold and The Grave Digger then you get an indication of just how good this album is. A worthy follow-up to Tunes Of War this certainly is! Time to don the kilt and get the pipers tooting!

 
 










Mike Thompson


  
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Pray

(Napalm Records - 2008)



 
 

 

Grave Digger give their fans an idea what to expect from the coming album Ballads Of A Hangman with Pray. Beside an extended version of the mid-paced rocker Pray they present 3 non-album tracks. Since their last full-length album they hired a second guitarist, but Thilo Herrmann isn't a nobody, long time metal fans will know him from e.g. Faithful Breath, Risk and Running Wild. With the Motörhead cover Overkill they speed up, but they stay quite close to the original, even mainman Chris Boltendahl tries to sound like Lemmy... Interesting, but it would be more interesting, if they would have done it the Grave Digger way!

With My Blood Will Live Forever and When The Sun Goes Down didn't made it on the album and so they are exclusively on this EP. My Blood Will Live Forever is a hymn-like true metal tune with a catchy refrain. They switch between up-tempo and mid-paced parts. A second guitarist they give them the chance to present longer lead guitar parts on top of riffing which make them sound heavier. With When The Sun Goes Down they offer a heavy rocker which live will be sung by the fans loudly, I guess this one will make it onto the set list - at least it would be a good choice.

Die-hard Grave Digger fans will buy the EP anyway, everybody else... well, make up your mind, the songs are typical Grave Digger and with 3 non-album tracks - including the cover - you get value for money.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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The Grave Digger

(Nuclear Blast - 2001)



 
 

 

Wow, what a cover! Then a bombastic intro... And the first riff shows that this album of Grave Digger is different! Sure, everybody was curious, if Manni Schmidt (ex-Rage) can fill out the spot guitarist Uwe Lulis left. Especially because Lulis guitar riffing was a trademark for the Grave Digger sound. And Manni was out of business for six years, so.... Before drowning in thoughts shouter Chris Boltendahl and Son Of Evil are getting you back into reality and proof that this is Grave Digger! Really, a fan of Grave Digger won't miss anything and it seems that the Germans had a good return. The songs on The Grave Digger are powerful and full of great refrains like on Spirits Of The Dead, Funeral Procession and The House. Sure, the different guitar sound is changing the bands sound, but in a positive way. The tracks on The Grave Digger won't disappoint the fans - perhaps the ballad Silence will - and the songs sound more transparent and has quite a few surprises for the listeners. Pay attention to the ultra-fast King Pest and the hymn Sacred Fire. Don't expect that Grave Digger left their roots behind. It just have another spirit. If you know the band, you will be enlightened, if you don't know them, then you get good true metal which is a pleasure to listen to and to bang your head. To quote a line from King Pest: The undertaker is everywhere...
 
 










Volker Raabe
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)

  
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Tunes of Wacken (DVD)

(G.U.N. Records - 2002)



 
 

 

Some bands release their first live album resp. video / DVD after a few years, after less then a decade. The German true metal heads of Grave Digger release their first live document after 20 years! Many metal fans saw them live, but now everybody has the chance, even fans who live somewhere were bands don't show up to play. Or if you don't like the big festivals and the packed venues, you can now watch the DVD from your couch and have a drink while watching. On the DVD titles Tunes Of Wacken you can see the 60 min. long performance Chris Boltendahl and his mates did at Wacken 2001. The chosen songs represent mainly the 2nd part of their career (track list see below). Even if they have an old classic on it. The band had a lot of fun and enjoyed playing at WOA.

The quality is pretty good. The sound is balanced and the images are quite good, too. Only the camera direction doesn't match the quality level.

Additionally you can find a photo gallery - more pics would have been great - and 3 clips with backstage images. It's quite interesting to see who the stage was build up, even if the song Rebellion which was chosen for the background didn't fit at all.  That was clip no. 1. The others show the band on their way to the signing session and while signing stuff for the fans. No talk beside saying 'Good-bye'. Why didn't Chris and the gang didn't talk to the fans? It would be a great possibility to tell some stories, etc. Or why not add an interview? At least Uncle Reaper say a few words to the fans and there are a few lines written about Wacken open-air.

Some DVDs have a menu which isn't easy to handle, this one is easy! The graphic is nice.

Resume: There are better DVDs, but as the first live documentation it's okay. A cool way to remember the Wacken performance. Or if you never saw them live, to get an idea about the live performance of Grave Digger.





Track list:




Scotland United
The Dark Of The Sun
The Reaper
The Roundtable
Excalibur
Circle Of Witches
The Ballad Of Mary (queen of Scots)
Lionheart
Morgane Le Fay
Knights Of The Cross
Rebellion (The Clans Are Marching)
Heavy Metal Breakdown

 

 






Jörg Petersen
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)


  
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Tunes Of Wacken

(G.U.N. Records - 2002)



 
 

 

The veterans of German true metal recorded last year at Wacken the show for a live album (audio-CD and also CD+ with video-DVD side) and DVD (soon you'll find a DVD review in section 'Special/DVD'). Starting with an intro with the bagpipe and the fans freaked out. Then the band of mainman Chris Boltendahl started fuel speed ahead with Scotland United. The first live album in the history of Grave Digger and due to the fact that it was record at Wacken they had a limited time....

The just had about an hour. So they tried to bring a setlist (see below) which kinda present their history, even if they focused on the material of the last decade. As reminiscence to the early days they finished the set with Heavy Metal Breakdown. The live material shows that the current line-up is a tight union and that it was a good decision to bring former Rage guitarist Manni Schmidt into the band.

Personally I missed tracks like Legion Of The Lost and Witch Hunter, I guess that fans from the mid-80's agree. Anyway, sound-wise nothing to complain, even if the vocals are sometimes a little too dominant, I my opinion.... Not necessary to talk about the songs in particular, the fans of Grave Digger will know them anyway. And for everyone else this is a good opportunity to check out the band, even the songs sound live a little different which is caused through line-up changes. Wacken is an festival with a very mixed audience, people from all over the World come to be part of this event, so I don't understand why frontman Chris Boltendahl introduced the songs and talked to the fans in German... But that's just a little detail...

On the CD+ you find the same audio tracks and on the other side (a double-sided CD) it has 5 tracks for DVD players (Region: 0) which are: Scotland United, The Roundtable, The Ballad Of Mary (Queen of Scots), Knights Of The Cross and Heavy Metal Breakdown. But has no extra footage! But a nice idea, anyway!



Track list:


  

  
Intro
  
Scotland United
  
The Dark Of The Sun
  
The Reaper
  
The Roundtable
  
Excalibur
  
Circle Of Witches
  
The Ballad Of Mary (Queen of Scots)
  
Lionheart
  
Morgane Le Fay
  
Knights Of The Cross
  
Rebellion (The Clans Are Marching)
  
Heavy Metal Breakdown
  
 

 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Tunes Of War

(G.U.N. Records - 1996)



 
 

 

For my this album is the best true metal album of the year! Conceptually it deals with the Scottish history from 1000 to 1700 A.D. and so the German true metallers add some new elements to their sound. More details about the songs you can find in my studio report, so take a look at that section!
 
 










Volker Raabe
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)


  
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Heart Of Darkness

(G.U.N. Records - 1994)



 
 

 

Bathed in perspiration and totally uncoordinated I woke up from my dream with the new Grave Digger Heart Of Darkness album in my hands.... And I got this album from the hands of WWF superstar The Undertaker who said to me: "The real music to die!" Okay, it wasn't really that way, but this would be really cool!

I don't think that I have to go into detail about the latest album of this Teutonic institution of German true metal. To make Frank Ullrich a member of the band was a good, fruitful idea. Anyway, this album offers a large variety and is well-devised Grave Digger album. Thumbs up!
 
 










Volker Raabe
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)

  
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