I don't know what it is about German bands that makes them so tenacious, but Grave Digger are another example of the hardy Teutonic breed that has produced long-lasting bands like Running Wild, Helloween, Kreator and Sodom. These fellows landed on the burgeoning metal scene with a bang back in the early 80's with their superb "Heavy Metal Breakdown" LP, which combined Accept-style crunch with the thrash metal that was on the rapid rise at that time. Despite an awful lapse where the band changed their named to "Digger" and tried to go commercial, Grave Digger has been a pretty steady presence since that first album. Lead by their gravel-throated singer Chris Boltendahl, they churn out a rough and ready brand of power metal with a lot of speed and heaviness but still hearkening back to a time before extremity was an overriding prerequisite in heavy metal.

"The Grave Digger" (the title of which I'm sure they spent many sleepless nights coming up with) is the latest example of their craft. While it won't set the world on fire with originality, it's a good one to crack a brew open to, slap on that old leather jacket and headbang with. The Accept feel is still there and Boltdendahl's ragged, slightly fruity vocals are still an acquired taste. One big drawback to the band is the proliferation of clunky choruses they have. The awkwardness might have something to do with a language problem, I don't know, but it does hamper the album.

Based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe, a writer who has had his fair share of metallic fans over the years, "The Grave Digger" is a solid, if not spectacular, example of prime Germanic steel.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2002 Year Book Volume 2 at  garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2001-and-2002.