Formed all the way back in 1980, German Metal stalwarts Grave Digger return to celebrate their 45th anniversary with a new album Bone Collector (RPM Roar). The band’s 22nd full-length studio release (if you choose to include the time during the eighties they were known as Digger) finds the band in blistering form with one of the finest records they’ve released in years.
Meaning business from the very start, the fast and aggressive title track goes straight for the throat with simple but razor-sharp riffing and a killer solo from recently recruited axeman Tobias Kersting. “The Rich, The Poor, The Dying” follows hot on its heels, a total eighties Speed Metal attack and a victorious throwback to their heyday.
Bassist Jens Becker and drummer Marcus Kniep kick off muscular mid-paced neckwrecker “Kingdom of Skulls” while “The Devil’s Serenade” recaptures that classic eighties Metal sound with big Accept vibes, vocalist and founding member Chris Boltendahl knowing his limitations and keeping things simple, his gravel-throated delivery working perfectly.
Another heads down, horns up banger, “Killing Is My Pleasure” is absolutely certain to please old school fans while “Mirror of Hate” is slow and brooding magnificence with Boltendahl’s vocals so throaty that it sounds like he’s gargling dirt. “Riders of Doom” is slow and menacing traditional Metal with another killer chorus before “Made Of Madness” executes the perfect rug-pull after a sedate introduction as the Speed Metal shrapnel comes flying straight back into your face.
Back in the day, bands would often try to hide filler tracks towards the end of records and while Grave Digger may or may not have been guilty of this themselves, there’s absolutely no sign of it here. “Graveyard Kings” sounds like Accept had a very angry, moody baby with Dokken while “Forever Evil And Buried Alive” just sound like they want to beat the shit out of you before climactic cut “Whispers Of The Damned” offers a suitably dark and portentous finale.
Forty-five years on from their inception and Grave Digger sound more alive and energetic than they have in years. Re-energised, reinvigorated, and absent any keyboard sections for the first time in their career, they’re just going for it and it’s a joy to behold. With three albums in the last five years, there’s no way Bone Collector can be called a comeback album but it sure as hell sounds like one.
Buy the album here:
https://gravedigger.rpm.link/bonecollector
8 / 10
GARY ALCOCK
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