Grave Digger, beyond their great career, rich discography and major influence, have one more very important virtue: they are absolutely fantastic live! Of course, anyone pointing out that these German heavy metallers haven’t released an outstanding album in quite some time would not be wrong. All of this came to mind when it was announced that Grave Digger would once again perform live in our country. Still, I quickly concluded that we were in for a very powerful show, since on one hand Grave Digger would be honoring “Tunes of War” for its anniversary, and on the other, they would be joined by Blazon Stone and Brainstorm!
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
Blazon Stone were the first band of the night. Ever since their formation, they have drawn clear inspiration from Running Wild. In fact, this was my first real contact with their music, so I didn’t quite know what to expect. From the very first notes of their set, however, one thing became clear… they have some absolute killer songs! The quintet presented material that, while certainly serving as a tribute to Running Wild, is also highly inspired, expertly crafted and genuinely top-class. Their fast and melodic compositions, packed with drive and soul, soaring vocals and razor-sharp guitars, revealed a remarkably polished and complete band — one that stands far above many of the acts currently dragging power metal down. They had a powerful, crystal-clear sound, great chemistry on stage, and carried themselves with the confidence and aura of a big band. Anyone who loves Running Wild needs to check out Blazon Stone… NOW! And naturally, any fan of power metal is bound to go wild for these Swedes. I’ve tried to find even the slightest flaw in Blazon Stone’s performance, and honestly, I can’t find one.
Next up were Brainstorm. I’ve respected and followed Brainstorm for years; they carry a level of quality and dignity that naturally commands both respect and applause. Although they had played in Greece many years ago, this was actually the first time I got to see them live, which made me anticipate their set with great excitement. It didn’t take long for them to take the stage at the already packed Gagarin 205, where they were welcomed warmly by the crowd. The Germans delivered their serious and measured brand of heavy/power metal, satisfying even the most demanding listeners. Their guitars sounded crushingly heavy, perfectly serving their well-crafted compositions, which lean far more toward the American style than the typical Teutonic approach. Meanwhile, Andy B. Franck was spot-on with his powerful and stylish vocals, while maintaining excellent contact with the audience throughout the set. The well-chosen setlist pleased everyone — and they even played my personal favorite, “Highs Without Lows”. Their sound was top-tier, their performance technically flawless yet full of emotion, making it clear to everyone in attendance that Brainstorm had delivered a wonderful performance, just before Grave Digger took the stage.
After Brainstorm said their goodbyes, we started getting ready for Grave Digger — and then we heard the bagpipes of “The Brave”! The Germans stormed the stage, opening with “Scotland United” from the legendary “Tunes of War”. What followed? Pure chaos. The entire venue rose to its feet, burst into flames with excitement, and sang along with the one and only Chris Boltendahl. Watching that incredibly likable frontman, founder and leader of the band, you could see the living history of Teutonic heavy metal standing right there before you — a towering figure of rock and metal who had the entire crowd exactly where he wanted them. Digger performed the entirety of “Tunes of War”, and absolute mayhem erupted during “Rebellion (The Clans Are Marching)”, one of heavy metal’s ultimate anthems.
What we experienced was absolute hell on earth — one of the most intense and emotional moments ever witnessed at a rock/metal concert in Greece – no exaggeration! The audience kept singing that immortal refrain long after the song had ended, leaving the four musicians visibly stunned. Then came five more of the very best Grave Digger songs — more than enough to send everyone into total metallic ecstasy. Band and fans were floating in pure happiness. The German musicians never stopped smiling; just looking at them was enough to make your heart lift. With phenomenal playing and a massive sound, they forced us into nonstop headbanging. The band eventually left the stage in an atmosphere of total euphoria, only to return after the crowd’s relentless chants for the encore of “Headbanging Man”, “Witch Hunter” and “Heavy Metal Breakdown”. It was the perfect ending to a phenomenal show, one in which Grave Digger led us straight into a heavy metal utopia. Chris Boltendahl, Tobias Kersting, Jens Becker and Marcus Kniep proved themselves to be the absolute heroes of heavy metal, silencing any doubters and showing once again that the veterans still know exactly how to create total pandemonium.
After everything extraordinary we had seen and heard, we left the club with our ears still ringing and our minds filled with beautiful memories. It was a magnificent live performance by Grave Digger, who rewarded us far beyond expectations. These are exactly the kind of moments that keep the myth of heavy metal alive — unforgettable moments that stay with you forever. And when the next time comes, we’ll be there again.
