Grave Digger have delivered the goods once again with this very special form of Metal.

Grave Digger is a Power Metal band from Germany who released a plethora of memorable albums in the eighties; having reformed in the early nineties, they have been producing quality Metal albums fast and furiously ever since.

'The Living Dead' is the band's twentieth studio album and it's one of the most consistent in their career. The guitar work from Axel Ritt (aka "Ironfinger") is sublime, whether cranking out massive chords or reeling out lightning fast solos. Ritt is a virtuoso guitarist and his playing includes all the eighties tricks of pinched harmonics and sweep-picking, plus there's also a healthy dose of speed in his armoury as well.

The lyrics are spat out by Chris Boltendahl who deploys both aggression and menace in his approach, but there is always melody in the songs. The album's sweet spot is 'Shadow Of The Warrior' with its almost Folk-song intro, a sing-along chorus and a relentless Metal beat. Grave Digger are largely unsurpassed in this form of Metal: track after track, the band come up with catchy riffs and essential Metal songs.

Of interest, Austrian labelmates Russkaja join Grave Digger for 'Zombie Dance' which has a quirky Polka beat, complete with an accordion, and I suspect this song will possibly remind UK listeners of Bad Manners doing Heavy Metal, but with a very Metal guitar solo to toughen it up. 'Glory Or Grave' ends the album as a bonus track and brings the listener back to full-on Metal mode.

Grave Digger have delivered the goods once again with this very special form of Metal.

Rob McKenzie