A strong album from this well established German Metal band.
I consider Grave Digger as the most extreme Speed Metal band that could be considered Melodic; and that’s a compliment by the way! This quality is achieved by the underlying musicality in the otherwise relentless riffery accompanied by doom laden vocals.
The album commences with the title track (in fact an atmospheric keyboard version of the Death March) with guitars and screams crashing in at the end and leading onto the romping ‘Hell Funeral’. From then on until the final track, it is full on Metal but tuneful guitar solos and thought in the song-writing - not mayhem for mayhem’s sake. Guitarist Axel Ritt (aka Ironfinger) has been in the band since 2010’s ‘The Clans Will Rise Again’ and has made his mark on this legendary German band. The phasered intro to ‘Tattooed Rider’ and intricate solo is in the zone of Eddie Van Halen does Speed Metal. There is complexity in the structure of the songs on show as well, most notable in ‘Death Smiles At All Of Us’ – complete with a harpsichord intro for full atmospheric value.
Album closer and ballad is ‘Need To Believe’; Chris Boltendahl’s vocal is tuneful and heartfelt and it is a valid and worthy antidote to the preceding and more typical Grave Digger songs.
‘Return Of The Reaper’ is a strong album from this well established German Metal band. Grave Digger has a strong audience in Europe and would go down a storm in the U.K. given half a chance. Also, if you are interested, there is a deluxe version of the album accompanied by a bottle of Grave Digger red wine in a mini coffin (in keeping with the cover art and image of the band).
Rob McKenzie
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