Formed back in 1980, this German true metal band appeared at various small festivals, trying to create a buzz. The band, comprising Chris Boltendahl, Peter Masson, Willi Lackmann and Albert Eckardt, recorded a song for the compilation album 'Rock from Hell' in 1983. A year later, Grave Digger released their debut album, 'Heavy Metal Breakdown'. They released their second album, 'Witch Hunter', in 1985. After this album was completed, Eckardt left the band; he was replaced by C.F. Brank. Further festival appearances, a tour as the warm-up act for Helloween and, finally, a triple headline tour with Celtic Frost and Helloween followed, and all before the release of the third album, 'War Games', in January 1986. Thereafter, Peter Masson gave way to Uwe Lulis; in 1987 the band's name was changed to Digger, the name under which they released the album 'Stronger than Ever'. This album hardly had anything in common with the earlier music of Grave Digger. It was more an attempt to reach the masses with mainstream rock like that of Bon Jovi or Van Halen. The album flopped, as it wasn't accepted by fans or the masses. As a result, Chris Boltendahl declared, at the end of 1987, the break up of the band. however, the band partially reformed in 1991. Christ Boltendahl and Uwe Lulis, along with two valuable newcomers, Tomi Göttlich and Jörg Michael, who had been the drummer for Rage and Running Wild, released a comeback record, entitled 'The Reaper'. This song returned to the true roots of Grave Digger. In the same year, the album 'Best of the Eighties' was released. The album 'Symphony of Death' followed in 1994. In the interim, Grave Digger, now with a new drummer, Frank Ullrich, toured Germany, playing as the warm-up act for Manowar. In 1995 the album 'Heart of Darkness appeared'; it was a very dark album with many influences from the early works of Annihilator. In 1996, Stefan Arnold became the band's new drummer. This year also marked the release of the concept album 'Tunes of War', which dealt with the early history of Scotland. This album was the first part of the Middle Ages Trilogy, completed in 1999. The second album, 'Knights of the Cross', with Jens Becker as bass guitarist, was completed in 1997 and was about the rise and fall of the Knights Templar. The final part of the trilogy, 'Excalibur', finished in 1999, and explored the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Shortly after this followed a world tour with the keyboardist Hans-Peter Katzenburg, who later became a permanent band member. In 2000, Grave Digger celebrated their 20th anniversary; to mark the occasion they performed at a sell-out concert at the Zeche in Bochum. This concert also marked a defining chapter in the band's history, as Uwe Lulis left a short while before the concert because of personal and business reasons. He formed a new band which he attempted to call Grave Digger, but Boltendahl instigated litigation to prevent this. Lulis finally called his new band Rebellion. A replacement, in the form of the ex-Rage guitarist, Manni Schmidt, was found. Along with him and the new record label Nuclear Blast, the album 'The Grave Digger' appeared in 2001. The works of Edgar Allan Poe served as an inspiration for the lyrics of the new album. Their first live album, 'Tunes of Wacken', appeared in 2002. This was coupled with the release of their first DVD, 'Wacken Open Air'. About a year later, a further concept album, 'Rheingold', appeared, which centered on the opera 'Der Ring des Nibelungen' by Richard Wagner. After the successful Rheingold-Tour, the band recorded another album, 'The Last Supper'. However, unlike previous albums, 'The Last Supper' was not a concept album, despite several songs being about the last days of Jesus. October 2005 saw the release of another live DVD. The title, '25 to Live', commemorated the band's 25th anniversary. In 2007 Grave Digger released their new studio album, 'Liberty or Death'.

HEAVY METAL BREAKDOWN (1984, 1994) NOISE

Headbanging Man Heavy Metal Breakdown Back From War Yesterday We Wanna Rock You Legion Of The Lost Tyrant 2000 Lightyears From Home Heart Attack

Line-up: Chris Boltendahl - Vocals Peter Masson - Guitar Willi Lackmann - Bass Albert Eckardt - Drums Additional musician: Dietmar Dillhardt - Keyboards on 4

I bet 'Heavy Metal Breakdown' was a real killer disc when it first came out in 1984. It really sounds dated today, and is in my collection to someday complete my Grave Digger catalogue. The music is actually quite good, but Chris sounds like he is burping in a trashcan. Maybe I'm picky, but I prefer listening to Grave Digger's latter offerings instead. The CD is a 1994 re-release.

Killer songs: Heavy Metal Breakdown, We Wanna Rock You

HEART OF DARKNESS (1995) GUN

I seem to dig my way back in the Grave Digger discography, this time landing on 'Heart Of Darkness'. Again a very strong heavy metal platter, that with ANY other singer, this would have been huge. I'm beginning to get used to Chris, but he is still the weakest link in Grave Digger. The songs are excellent, and you know what you get when you buy a Grave Digger album. 

Killer tracks: The Grave Dancer

TUNES OF WAR (1996) GUN

This a great CD. Grave Digger takes on a more epic approach, and that suits them well. This is still pummeling heavy metal though. The closest I can think of is Rage, but a cross between Blind Guardian and Running Wild will also spell it out. It's a concept album about Braveheart, the Scottish freedom fighter. The sound of bagpipes mixed with power metal riffs is awesome, and worth the disc alone. The only bad thing about it is Chris' voice. He has still a long way to become a good singer.

Killer tracks: Brave, Scotland United, The Truth, The Fall Of The Brave

KNIGHT OF THE CROSS (1998) GUN (Limited Edition digi-pak)

The first time I heard Grave Digger was on a promo-sampler for this album. Only about a minute of every song was included. My first thought was; "Why on earth haven't I heard this band before? This sounds GREAT!!"! Then I obtained the digi-pak version, and it struck me; The songs really were better when I just heard the better parts of them. That said, this truly is a great heavy metal disc, and this time Chris is fully bearable. It's just that the songs seems to repeat themselves, and sound very similar. So listening to the entire CD in one go, is something I seldom do. But the tracks that stand out, really stand out!! The concept this time is about the Knights Of The Templar, and the medieval dark age. This limited edition also contains a cover of Black Sabbath's "Children Of The Grave" as a bonus track.

Killer tracks: Knight Of The Cross, Monks Of War, Fanatic Assassins, Baphomet

EXCALIBUR (1999) GUN (Limited Edition)

Excalibur - "The story of King Arthur and the Round table", A metal opus in twelve chapters. This is what the booklet states. And let me tell you; this is absolutely one GREAT album!! It's just as good as 'The Grave Digger', and maybe even better! For the first time, Chris' voice isn't bothering me at all. "Emerald Eyes" is a ballad, sung in a more straight manner (I thought the first Grave Digger ballad was on their next album. I was wrong.). Every song on this album is excellent, and I have a hard time picking favorites! If you are wondering were to start your Grave Digger collection, begin here! The album is another concept. This time it's about, you guessed it; The knights of the round table. Guest appearances include Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian, Demons & Wizards), Piet Sielck (Iron Savior), Eric Fish and Bodenski (both Subway To Sally). This limited edition comes with a bonus track.

Killer tracks: Excalibur, Morgane Le Fay, Mordred's Song, Emerald Eyes

THE GRAVE DIGGER (2001) NUCLEAR BLAST (Digi-pack)

Grave Digger has really began to grow on me, and this is their best work so far. The negative thing is of course still Chris' monotone voice, but here it doesn't bother me much. He even sings in a more straight matter on the album's ballad. Yes folks, Grave Digger have gone and recorded a ballad! I must really begin to make an effort to get hold of the rest of their catalogue now. Grave Digger is Heavy Metal! My version is a limited edition digi-pack, with a cool embossed cover, and a bonus track.

Killer tracks: Son Of Evil, Raven, The House, Haunted Palace

RHEINGOLD (2003) NUCLEAR BLAST

Another great release from our favorite German true metalers!  As usual, this is a concept story. 'Rheingold' is inspired by 'The Ring Of The Nibelungs' opera, by Richard Wagner. What can one say that haven't already been said regarding this band? They have for the last decade delivered some splendid heavy metal, and they show no signs of weary yet. Most of the songs presented here are superior to most of what is released in this musical category nowadays. The songs are super-infectious, and will stick to your brain like glue. Manni Schimdt provides a fuel injection to their sound, as he is one solid guitar-player. Also look out for vocal appearance from Michi Rhein from In Extremo. Any fan of the band can not be disappointed. This is another safe buy. 

Killer tracks: Rheingold, Valhalla, Giants, Maidens Of War, Murderer, Twilight Of The Gods

THE LAST SUPPER (2005) NUCLEAR BLAST (Limited Digipack edition)

Grave Digger have released an impressing string of great albums in the last decade. And nothing makes me think that this string will be severed anytime soon. 'The Last Supper' hits yet another bull's-eye, as Chris & Co. continue down the path they are helping create. The title track might be their best tunes to date, and that is saying a lot. 'The Last Supper', as you might have figured out due to the title, ad the cover art, is inspired by The Bible, Jesus and the movie 'The Passion Of The Christ'. Many of the songs, not all of the though, are Chris' own take on those topics, and it is refreshing to listen to someone singing about Jesus in a positive manner, even though I don't think Chris sees Jesus as the Messiah. Musically I'm left in awe from this release. Manni is once again showing that he is more than willing to take on great guitarists, such as Victor Smolski (Rage) and Jeff Loomis (Nevermore). Chris also sings better then ever, and in "Crucify" he might have delivered his song performance of a lifetime. I'm already looking forward to the next album! This cool digipack version comes with 2 bonus tracks.

Killer tracks: The Last Supper, Grave In The No Man's Land, Soul Savior, Crucified, Hundred Days

YESTERDAY (2006) LOCOMOTIVE (EP/DVD)

Grave Digger left Nuclear Blast, and the first release on their new label is this EP/DVD. The EP contains 2 newly recorded version of a song from their debut album. None of the versions are any better, or worse, then the original, so I'm not sure I see the point in this. "The Reapers Dance" is an exclusive track for this release, and this is a solid Grave Digger song, albeit with some goofy lyrics. "No Quarter" is a Led Zeppelin cover, of all things, but the boys have made it sound their own. The DVD is a raw sounding (absolutely NO overdubs on this one!!) recording from 2001, when the band visited the Rock Machina Festival in Spain. The DVD is probably the only reason to keep this release.

Chris Boltendahl guest appearances:

Edguy - 'Kingdom Of Madness'

Manni Schmidt guest appearances:

Powergod - 'Bleed For The Godz - That's Metal Lesson 1'

Related artists:

Running Wild, Stratovarius, Axel Rudi Pell, Rage, Saxon, Unleashed Power/U.P., Roland Grapow, X-Wild, Zillion, Risk