German metal institution GRAVE DIGGER have released their new official video for their first single “Hell Is My Purgatory”!
“Razor-sharp riffs, pounding drums, a chorus that can make a whole arena headbang like crazy and the distinctive voice of Chris Boltendahl are components of Grave Digger’s new single. All the trademarks that have made the band stand out for 4 decades can be heard on “Hell Is My Purgatory”
The track is taken from the upcoming longplayer “Symbol Of Eternity”, to be released as CD, Vinyl, Boxset, Download and on all streaming platforms on August 26, 2022 via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records!
Digital single of “Hell Is My Purgatory” is now available across all digital and streaming platforms! Pre-save the album, here: https://bfan.link/symbol-of-eternity
Music by Axel Ritt & Chris Boltendahl Lyrics by Chris Boltendahl Mixed and Mastered by Chris Boltendahl @ Graveyard Studio / Köln / Germany Video by Rainer Fränzen / @ Und Action! Hugo de Payens played by Marcus Kniep Baphomet played by Lisa Caspari Shot at the Ginsburg, Hilchenbach https://www.ginsburg.info/ Sponsored by https://www.ritterladen.de/ Baphomet costume by Transylvania http://www.boucke-costume-design.com/
Many thanks to: Arnd, Babu, Marco, Peter, Werner, Verein Zur Erhaltung Der Ginsburg E.V. Regionalforstamt Siegen-Wittgenstein
GRAVE DIGGER are: Chris Boltendahl – Vocals Axel Ritt – Guitars Jens Becker – Bass Marcus Kniep – Drums
GRAVE DIGGER have been an integral part of the German heavy metal scene for over 4 decades. Chris Boltendahl, Axel Ritt, Jens Becker and Marcus Kniep are not only a force to be reckoned with in the live sector, they also regularly deliver high-quality Heavy Metal albums.
On their latest album “Symbol of Eternity” they continue to spin the story of the Crusaders… after having dealt with it once before on the album “Knights of the Cross”, they devote themselves once again to the fabled history of the Templars. Razor-sharp riffs, opulent choir arrangements and the distinctive voice of Chris Boltendahl are components of Grave Digger’s new work. All the trademarks that have made the band stand out for 4 decades can be heard on the album… an original and hard album is “Symbol of become eternity”. And yet, next to the merciless riffs, like in the opening headbanger “Battle Cry”, melodic refrains are always in the foreground… hard double bass attacks alternating with mid-tempo songs and the almost doom-like title track will make every headbanger’s heart beat faster.
Grave Digger have never been so varied and are not afraid to think outside the box like on the bonus track “Hellas Hellas” which is a cover of the Greek superstar Vasilis Papakonstantinou in which Chris sings Greek for the first time in his career and the Band was even able to win Vasilis himself for some vocal passages. Open your ears and eyes when the new album will be in stores worldwide on August 26th, 2022 and you can take another journey into the secret world of the Templars… The king is dead… long live the king!
TRACK LIST (CD 1 –Digipack Version-): 1. The Siege of Akkon 2. Battle Cry 3. Hell is my Purgatory 4. King of the Kings 5. Symbol of Eternity 6. Saladin 7. Nights of Jerusalem 8. Heart of a Warrior 9. Grace of God 10. Sky of Swords 11. Holy Warfare 12. The Last Crusade 13. Hellas Hellas
TRACKLIST (CD 2 -Live at Metal Hammer Paradise / Mediabook version-): 1. The Clansman`s Journey 2. Healed by Metal 3. The clans will rise again 4. Lawbreaker 5. The Roundtable 6. The Curse of Jacques 7. Season of the Witch 8. Excalibur 9. Rebellion 10. Witch Hunter 11. Heavy Metal Breakdown
• Produced by Chris Boltendahl & Axel Ritt • Mixed and mastered by Chris Boltendahl at Graveyard Studios / Cologne from November 2021 to February 2022 • Guitars, bass and drums recorded at Meadow Studios / Babenhausen by Axel Ritt • Vocals recorded at Graveyard Studios / Cologne • All songs composed and arranged by Boltendahl & Ritt except “The Siege of Akkon” composed by Marcus Kniep and “The Last Crusade”, composed by Axel Ritt & Jens Becker • All lyrics written by Chris Boltendahl • Keyboards played by Marcus Kniep • Cover and booklet paintings by Uwe Jarling • Cover concept by Chris Boltendahl • Booklet Layout by Wanderley Perna
German Metal institution GRAVEDIGGER have sign with ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records!
We are thrilled and proud to announce that GRAVE DIGGER, one of the true Metal veterans, has signed a multi-album deal with ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records.
The history of GRAVE DIGGER goes back to 1980 and the band is undoubtedly the ultimate old school German Heavy Metal Institution! Albums like “Heavy Metal Breakdown”, “Witch Hunter” and “War Games” are real classics that should not be missing in any well-stocked collection. In the course of their 40 years spanning career, GRAVE DIGGER released 21 studio releases, various live albums and several compilations. They are still – today more than ever – a recognized metallic superpower and one of the best live acts. They have always made no secret of their passion for the original 80s Metal, so we can look forward to honest and hammering classic Heavy Metal albums full of anthems in the future as well.
After the chart breaking release of German Heavy Metal heroes GRAVE DIGGER’s 20th studio album on their 40 year band jubilee, the band around singer Chris “Reaper” Boltendahl have released the fourth video, taken from Fields Of Blood, “Barbarian”. Heavy riffs, thundering drums and the distinctive vocals take us back to 1746 – to the battlefield of Culloden deep in the Scottish Highlands, where the Jacobites were defeated in a bloody battle by the Duke of Cumberland – The “Barbarian”.
GRAVE DIGGER on “Barbarian”: “BARBARIAN … the new Grave Digger single “Barbarian” from the album Fields of Blood is Teutonic steel in its purest form. No prisoners are taken here … you can feel how Cumberland pushes the “Highland Cleanings” and how whole villages are getting destroyed. He violates the Highlander women and kills everything in his way. His indescribable Cruelty is unparalleled in the history of Scotland. “Barbarian” will become another band classic Chorus will be hammered in your head… ‘Cold blooded murderer, Killer of the Jacobites, Butcher of Culloden, Cumberland the BARBARIAN.’ “
40 years of pure Teutonic steel, 40 years of iconic GRAVE DIGGER: 2020 marks a glorious anniversary of one of the most distinctive metal bands of German heavy metal! These titans released their 20th studio album, Fields Of Blood, which is not just a very special anniversary album, after The Clans Will Rise Again andTunes Of War, this is the final part of GRAVE DIGGER‘s epic Scottish Highlands trilogy!
Fields Of Blood takes us on an emotional journey through Scottish history and into explosive sound landscapes. Driving riffs and epic choruses meet the famous “Great Highland Bagpipes”: In the Highlands, the battlefields of Stirling, Bannockburn and Culloden, the listener will find himself on a rollercoaster between grief and triumph again, losses and wins with the Scottish freedom fighters in an auditory battle of unique traditional metal.
After releasing three previous singles – the metal hymn “Lions Of The Sea” (watch the video HERE!), the merciless banger “All For The Kingdom” (watch the video HERE!) and the touching metal ballad “Thousand Tears” featuring Noora of Battle Beast (check out the song HERE!) – today, GRAVE DIGGER present us “Barbarian”!
Fields Of Blood Tracklisting:
1. The Clansman’s Journey
2. All For The Kingdom
3. Lions Of The Sea
4. Freedom
5. The Heart Of Scotland
6. Thousand Tears
7. Union Of The Crown
8. My Final Fight
9. Gathering Of The Clans
10. Barbarian
11. Fields Of Blood
12. Requiem For The Fallen
Even 40 years after the band formed, their ethos has not changed, and yet GRAVE DIGGER sound modern and timeless like never before. They still stay true to their no-frills traditional brand of metal with unwavering pure steel, which nevertheless offers surprises and celebrates such a special anniversary of one of the most successful German heavy metal pioneers in the most glorious style!
GRAVE DIGGER live: Fields Of Blood Tour feat. Special Guests Motorjesus
26.02.21 DE – Neuruppin / Kulturhaus
27.02.21 DE – Glauchau / Alte Spinnerei
28.02.21 DE – Munich / Backstage
01.03.21 DE – Aschaffenburg / Colos-Saal
02.03.21 CH – Pratteln / Z7
03.03.21 DE – Bochum / Zeche
04.03.21 DE – Berlin / Hole 44
05.03.21 DE – Bamberg / Live Club
06.03.21 DE – Andernach / JUZ-Live Club
12.03.21 DE – Hanover / MusikZentrum
13.03.21 DE – Memmingen / Kaminwerk
14.03.21 DE – Mannheim / 7er Live Club
19.03.21 DE – Hamburg / Markthalle
40 years of pure Teutonic steel, 40 years of iconic GRAVE DIGGER: 2020 marks a glorious anniversary of one of the most distinctive metal bands of German heavy metal! May 29th will see these titans release their 20th studio album, Fields Of Blood, via Napalm Records. But, Fields Of Bloodis not just a very special anniversary album, after The Clans Will Rise Again and Tunes Of War, this is the final part of GRAVE DIGGER‘s epic Scottish Highlands trilogy!
Fields Of Bloodwill takeus on an emotional journey through Scottish history and into explosive sound landscapes. Driving riffs and epic choruses meet the famous “Great Highland Bagpipes”: In the Highlands, the battlefields of Stirling, Bannockburn and Culloden, the listener will find himself on a rollercoaster between grief and triumph again, losses and wins with the Scottish freedom fighters in an auditory battle of unique traditional metal.
After releasing two previous singles – the merciless banger “All For The Kingdom“ ( watch the video HERE! ) and the touching metal ballad “Thousand Tears” featuring Noora of Battle Beast ( check out the song HERE! ) – today, GRAVE DIGGER present us with a third powerful single of epic heavy metal thunder, “Lions Of The Sea”!
Says frontman Chris Boltendahl: “LIONS OF THE SEA”… a hurricane of metal hymn… the battle of the Scots against the Vikings… cutting riffing and a chorus that winds through your cortex… you will be startled at night, at sea find yourself in battle and roar the chorus of “Lions of the Sea” from your hoarse throats… over and over again until you are the victorious to leave the battlefield at sea.”
Watch the new GRAVE DIGGER video for “Lions Of The Sea”HERE!
Fields Of Blood Tracklisting:
1. The Clansman’s Journey
2. All For The Kingdom
3. Lions Of The Sea
4. Freedom
5. The Heart Of Scotland
6. Thousand Tears
7. Union Of The Crown
8. My Final Fight
9. Gathering Of The Clans
10. Barbarian
11. Fields Of Blood
12. Requiem For The Fallen
Coming out on May 29th on Napalm Records in various formats, the pre-sale is available atTHIS LOCATION
Even 40 years after the band formed, their ethos has not changed, and yet GRAVE DIGGERsound modern and timeless like never before. They still stay true to their no-frills traditional brand of metal with unwavering pure steel, which nevertheless offers surprises and celebrates such a special anniversary of one of the most successful German heavy metal pioneers in the most glorious style!
The #NapalmSofaSeries is in full swing! To date, many Napalm bands have participated with acoustic concerts, Live Q&A’s, virtual gigs, release parties and even signing announcements – all streamed live or pre-recorded in their living rooms, studios or rehearsal rooms and watched by over half a million metalheads so far. To thank fans for their continued support of artists all over the world, we have even more exciting and creative content for you!
Coming soon – the #NapalmSofaSeries presents heavy metal icons GRAVE DIGGER with a live stream, Neue Deutsche Härte masters MEGAHERZ with a previously unreleased piano version of “Für Immer” (engl. forever), as well as EVIL INVADERS will pitch in with a heavy thrash metal force and full DVD stream of their Surge Of Insanity: Live in Antwerp 2018 concert. The masters of parody metal, NANOWAR OF STEEL, announced a live stream songwriting named “The Journey of a Lost Sock in the Washing Machine”. Also: As part of the #NapalmSofaSeries North Carolina’s death metal maestros, AETHER REALM, will have an album listening party + Q&A. Check out the schedule* below and join your favorite event via Youtube or Facebook:
Next on #NapalmSofaSeries:
01.05.20 – 06:00 PM CET
AETHER REALM – album listening party + Q&A – YouTube
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 