Grave Digger – The Forgotten Years
Grave Digger – The Forgotten Years
VIC Records
Release Date: 08/12/23
Running Time: 69:58
Review by Mauro B. Fonseca
Score: 6/10
It’s always good to write about Grave Digger. This German Metal band was founded in the 80’s and released their first album in ‘84. In the early years, they had a turbulent time. In and out of members, changes of band’s name, until the 90’s arrived when they stabilised under the name of Grave Digger. The only original member that stayed from the beginning till now is Chris Boltendahl. As a result, he became the “face”, or should I say the “voice”, of Grave Digger.
Grave Digger has made their name using the signature voice of Chris and a particular set of sounds from the guitars and drums. It’s that kind of sonority that identifies a band; they have that well established. Power Metal really well done, with all things people want to hear from them. Besides Chris ogre, raw, rough and torn type of voice, the guitar’s weight for harmony part, the screaming guitars for the solos, the solid bassline and the locomotive “wrecking everything” for the drums. All that is here. But…
Every single band has their moment whether it’s “new unreleased released tracks”, “early days revisited”, “old new stuff”, “from trash to thrash tracks”, “tbt tracks” or whatever the hell they name that kind of album. So here is Grave Digger’s moment, “The Forgotten Years”. Who forgot these years? Us? Them? The record company? Anyway!
I think that this kind of release is a coin catcher, or a contract fulfilment to avoid interest and a fine. Who would be the guy that takes rejected songs by the producer, popular critics or simply weren’t successful, to put on a single album? Well, we know, the entire music industry! I do not like this! Despite that, this is a Grave Digger’s album! So, everything that makes an album to be a Grave Digger’s album, is here! The typical voice, guitars, bassline and wrecking drums are here.
Another point I would like to highlight is this is a reissue of two remastered demo tapes of the time Grave Digger wasn’t “The” Grave Digger yet. So, you will see here, several repeated tracks, probably recorded in different times and places, but still the same song with some variations. By sounding better than the original, they reclaim this piece of their history. Is it necessary to those who listen to Grave Digger? No. It is for those who yearn for anything about Grave Digger? Probably.
It seems my review puts the album in a bad place, but it isn’t like this. I really do like some of these songs, like ‘Fight the Fight’, ‘Ride On’, ‘Ruler Mr. H’, ‘And The Devil Plays Piano’ and ‘Wedding Day’. I just think that a band the size of Grave Digger could have done better. But I had fun listening to this anyway! Hope you do too!
Grave Digger ‘Fight the Fight’
TRACKLISTING:
01. Ride On
02. Shadows Of A Moonless Night
03. Spy Of Mas’On
04. Ruler Mr. H
05. And The Devil Plays Piano
06. Fight The Fight
07. Wedding Day
08. Intro
09. Shout It Out
10. Spy Of Mas’On
11. Fight The Fight
12. Shadows Of A Moonless Night
13. Back To The Roots
14. Play Your Game
15. Don’t Bring Me Down
16. Wedding Day
17. Ruler Mr. H
18. Ride On (Straight To The Sky)
LINE-UP:
Chris Boltendahl – Vocals
Tomi Göttlich (Rebellion) – Bass
Feat. Uwe Lullis (Accept) – Guitar
Marcus Kniep – Drums
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Mauro Fonseca and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
