Pounding riffs, steadfast rhythm section, the unmistakable growl of Chris Boltendahl and a tenacious attitude– ladies and gentlemen, this article is a retrospective of Grave Digger, the immortal warriors of Teutonic metal, who are visiting Greece for two live shows, in Athens and Thessaloniki.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
Grave Digger are a synonym of relentless, unapologetic traditional heavy metal! Few bands embody the virtues of classic heavy metal as much as Grave Digger do. Formed in 1980 by Chris Boltendahl and Peter Masson (guitar) and inspired by the likes of Judas Priest and Saxon, Grave Digger released their debut “Heavy Metal Breakdown” in 1984. This album laid the foundation for the band’s sound: raw, aggressive, and direct and remains a great example of 80s German heavy metal. “Headbanging Man” and the title track quickly became underground anthems, finding favor among fans of unpretentious, no-frills metal. Their sophomore effort, “Witch Hunter” (1985), sharpened their sound and pushed the speed metal inclination of the debut further. With this album’s songs, Grave Digger shaped their signature style, combining melody with aggression. The band made its first real step toward European recognition. Next came “War Games”, which marked the band’s venture into more commercial territory, reflecting broader trends in metal as bands sought MTV appeal. The result was mixed and the internal conflict surrounding this creative pivot led Chris Boltendahl to dissolve the Grave Digger moniker temporarily. The band briefly resurfaced under the name Digger, releasing the ill-fated, AOR-infused “Stronger Than Ever” (1987).
Grave Digger returned with a vengeance in the early ‘90s, re-embracing their traditional heavy metal roots with “The Reaper” (1993). This comeback was a reinvention: Boltendahl’s vocals had grown grittier, the riffs more anthemic and the whole production was clearer, more bombastic and ambitious. An EP titled “Symphony of Death” followed in 1994 and some months later the release of “Heart of Darkness” (1995) made a strong impact to the worldwide metal community, with its dark sound and the catchy melodies – this album was the true return of Grave Digger, one of their best albums ever! But the masterpiece of masterpieces came the next year – we are referring to the release of “Tunes Of War”, the best album of Grave Digger! This concept album, exploring Scottish history and warfare, is their most acclaimed album to date, a potent mixture of epic lyrics and heavy/speed metal grandeur that opened the door for their true apotheosis! Here you will find their biggest fan favorite song, “Rebellion (The Clans Are Marching)”, a heavy metal classic! Taking advantage of their momentum, Boltendahl and co. released the “Knights of the Cross” (1998) (with Jens Becker as bass guitarist) and “Excalibur” (1999) albums, which almost continued their artistic zenith – these full-lengths, featuring epic arrangements, choir vocals and robust production, can be compared to “Tunes of War” and cemented the star status of the band!
The early 2000s were a period of solidification for Grave Digger. Albums like “The Grave Digger” (2001) and “Rheingold” (2003) saw the band continuing their classic German metal onslaught with tireless, unflagging energy. Guitarist Manni Schmidt (ex-Rage) joined during this era, replacing Uwe Lulis and bringing a new dimension to their guitar work. Also, in 2002 the Germans released the live album “Tunes of Wacken – Live”, which had an incredible live sound and proved their quality as a touring band, with a strong bond with its fans. After the successful Rheingold tour, the band recorded another critically acclaimed album, “The Last Supper” (2005) – it contains “more metal, more passion and more power” than the previous efforts, according to the band. “Liberty or Death” and “Ballads of a Hangman” were fine Grave Digger creations. On 12 January 2010, Manni Schmidt was replaced by Domain guitarist Axel Ritt and on 1 October 2010, the album “The Clans Will Rise Again” was released – it was a loose sequel of the “Tunes of War”, yet it didn’t repeat its success.
During the last fifteen years, Grave Digger released seven more albums, all of which featured authentic, pure and repentless German heavy metal, super – satisfying the fans! Even after 40 plus years, the formula remains compelling – anchored by Boltendahl’s iron will and an unshakable dedication to the heavy metal genre. Grave Digger may never have reached the commercial heights of Accept or Helloween, but their cultural and artistic significance within metal circles is beyond dispute. Chris Boltendahl, the mind and heart of the band, deserves special recognition. Much like Udo Dirkschneider or Biff Byford, Boltendahl has never compromised, being a cult personality that inspires generations and generations of rock/metal fans!
Grave Digger continue to raise the banner of true heavy metal, reminding us that the fire still burning in the old-school. As long as there are tales to tell and battles to sing about, the Reaper will march on!
