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Album Review – Grave Digger / Bone Collector (2025)

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A manifesto of pure, unfiltered old school German Heavy Metal masterfully brought into being by one of the most important bands in the history of the genre, going back to their raw and energetic roots.

Back to the roots or back to the future? No matter how you call it, Teutonic Heavy Metal masters Grave Digger have recorded the first album of their undisputed career completely without keyboard passages, entitled Bone Collector. Produced, mixed and mastered at Graveyard Studio, displaying a killer AI-generated artwork, and featuring for the first time ever guitarist Tobias Kersting, the follow-up to their 2022 album Symbol of Eternity finds its way back to long forgotten trademarks, showcasing all the passion for heavy music by the iconic frontman Chris Boltendahl alongside the aforementioned Tobias Kersting on the guitar, Jens Becker on bass, and Marcus Kniep on drums.

A dark, somber intro suddenly morphs into a high-octane Heavy Metal beast titled Bone Collector, with Marcus hammering his drums manically supported by the slashing riffs by Tobias while Chris’ vocals exhale pure metal as usual. The breathtaking The Rich, the Poor, the Dying is even faster and more infuriated than the opener, with Tobias and Marcus once again sounding inhumane with their respective riffs and beats, not to mention the song’s amazing Thrash Metal vibe; and the rumbling bass by Jens kicks off the also heavy-as-hell Kingdom of Skulls, transpiring old school Grave Digger for our total delight. The Devil’s Serenade is the perfect soundtrack for a wild road trip, with Tobias and Jens slamming their stringed axes in the name of our good old Rock N’ Roll, followed by Killing Is My Pleasure, another one of the previously released songs, offering a blast of first-class pure, unfiltered Heavy Metal recommended for some action inside the pit; whereas the riffs by Tobias continue to pierce our minds in Mirror of Hate, maybe the weakest (or perhaps I should say “the least strong”) song of the album.

In Riders of Doom we can easily notice that the name of the song is not in vain, as there’s a huge dosage of cryptic doom flowing from all instruments, in special from Jens’ massive, metallic bass lines, resulting in a true headbanging, horns raising metal extravaganza; and get ready to head into the battlefield (aka the mosh pit) together with Chris & Co. to the sound of the furious Made of Madness, a lecture in Heavy Metal with a strong thrashing base where Chris once again sounds superb on vocals, all spiced up by an ass-kicking solo by Tobias. Graveyard Kings brings forward more of their thrilling fusion of Heavy and Power Metal, keeping the album at a high level of heaviness and rage, and the quartet still has a lot of fuel to burn in the incendiary Forever Evil and Buried Alive, a flawless depiction of the power and importance of the music by Grave Digger to the history of Heavy Metal. Lastly, the album ends with the six-minute doomed tune Whispers of the Damned, with Marcus pounding his drums in the name of absolute darkness.

Raw, brutal, honest and yet catchy, Bone Collector is a manifesto of German Heavy Metal, old school at its best, without rust and patina, no self-copying and always authentic. This is how the band’s new work can be described, going back to their roots, but still sounding energetic, fresh and multifaceted, and you can get in touch with the band and stay up to date with all things Grave Digger, including their upcoming 45th anniversary tour, by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, and of course be part of their metallic legacy by purchasing Bone Collector by clicking HERE or HERE. Those veterans are more than ready to dig your grave and collect your bones to the sound of their new album, keeping the fires of their undisputed Heavy Metal burning for many decades to come.

Best moments of the album: Bone Collector, The Rich, the Poor, the Dying, Made of Madness and Forever Evil and Buried Alive.

Worst moments of the album: Mirror of Hate.

Released in 2025 Reigning Phoenix Music/ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records

Track listing
1. Bone Collector 4:19
2. The Rich, the Poor, the Dying 3:25
3. Kingdom of Skulls 3:45
4. The Devil’s Serenade 4:01
5. Killing Is My Pleasure 3:29
6. Mirror of Hate 4:43
7. Riders of Doom 4:55
8. Made of Madness 3:59
9. Graveyard Kings 4:13
10. Forever Evil and Buried Alive 3:34
11. Whispers of the Damned 6:16

Band members
Chris Boltendahl – vocals
Tobias Kersting – guitar
Jens Becker – bass
Marcus Kniep – drums

Album Review – Mystic Prophecy / Hellriot (2023)

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German’s own Heavy and Power Metal division is ready to unleash hell with their incendiary twelfth studio album.

Formed initially as a side project in the already distant year of 2000 in Bad Grönenbach, Germany by Progressive Metal band Valley’s Eve bandmates R.D. Liapakis and Martin Albrecht, the unrelenting Heavy and Power Metal outfit Mystic Prophecy has been on a roll since their inception, having released already 12 studio albums (plus their 2021 EP Hail to the King), including their newborn spawn titled Hellriot, following up on their highly acclaimed effort Metal Division. Produced by the band’s own frontman R.D. Liapakis (aka Roberto Dimitri Liapakis, who’s by the way the band’s only remaining founding member), mixed and mastered by Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman, and displaying a beyond metalized artwork by Dušan Marković, Hellriot is an ode to all things metal masterfully brought into being by the aforementioned R.D. Liapakis together with guitarists Evan K and Markus Pohl, bassist Joey Roxx, and drummer Hanno Kerstan, positioning it as one of the top Heavy and Powerl Metal albums of 2023 without a shadow of a doubt.

The incendiary riffs by Evan and Markus will put you to bang your head like a true metalhead in the breathtaking title-track Hellriot, while R.D. beautifully declaims the song’s tribute-to-the-legends lyrics (“We are the legion of the damned / We let the dragons fly together till the end / Screaming for vengeance, the number of the beast / With the devil by our side the dogs of hell unleashed”) in a lecture in classic Heavy Metal with Thrash and Speed Metal nuances, followed by Unholy Hell, darker and heavier than its predecessor, with Joey shining armed with her bass while Hanno pounds his drums nonstop in the name of darkness. Then we have Demons Of The Night, bringing forward a galloping rhythm inspired by the music by Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, sounding absolutely solid and entertaining, and led by the scorching guitars by Evan and Markus. In Metal Attack the name of the song says it all, offering us all a vibrant onrush of Power Metal full of metallic bass punches, fierce riffs and hammering drums, whereas Paranoia is slightly below the rest of the album in terms of energy (not to mention all background effects sound out of place) despite its decent backing vocals and drums. And back to their more traditional Heavy and Power Metal mode we face Revenge And Fire, a headbanging feast where R.D. once again kicks some serious ass on vocals supported by the fiery music blasted by his bandmates.

After that, the low-tuned, menacing bass by Joey kicks off the beyond exciting Rising With The Storm, a lesson in old school Heavy Metal that will certainly put you to dance, with R.D.’s vocals being nicely complemented by the song’s spot-on backing vocals. In Road To Babylon the band presents poetic words are declaimed by R.D. (“One man is born to conquer the world / The signs of his faith are falling / One man in the name of gods / Hail to the king all nations are calling / With fire and steel he sends his warning / The Persian king Darius is falling”) while the rest of the band crafts a dark yet very melodious sound, resulting in an amazing creation by those Teutonic metallers, and things get even better in Azrael, one of the best songs of the album, paying homage to the angel of death with Joey being on fire not only armed with her rumbling bass but also with her powerful backing vocals. In other words, it’s impossible to stand still to this horn-raising hymn, which is also the case in Cross The Line, a beautiful fusion of Heavy and Power Metal with modern-day Hard Rock by Mystic Prophecy presenting some striking solos by Evan and the hammering drums by Hanno, while R.D. invites us all to sing along the song’s stylish lyrics together with the band. Finally, closing this flammable album of heavy music we have World On Fire, where once again we’ll feel the urge to start dancing, banging our heads and raising our fists in the air nonstop. The world might be coming to an end, but at least it will be to the sound of this stylish metal tune.

This fantastic explosion of classic German Power Metal can be appreciated in all of its glory on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course in order to support such amazing band from the European scene you can purchase a copy of Hellriot by clicking HERE, and catch the band live in your city by clicking HERE. Furthermore, R.D. Liapakis and his crew are also waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram with news, more of their music and other nice-to-know details about them, inviting you to join their metallic army in their quest for heavy music. Mystic Prophecy are unleashing hell with their new album, and may their inner fire keep burning bright for decades to come with more superb releases like this one.

Best moments of the album: Hellriot, Rising With The Storm, Azrael and Cross The Line.

Worst moments of the album: Paranoia.

Released in 2023 ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records

Track listing
1. Hellriot 3:21
2. Unholy Hell 3:32
3. Demons Of The Night 3:15
4. Metal Attack 4:13
5. Paranoia 3:45
6. Revenge And Fire 3:31
7. Rising With The Storm 4:13
8. Road To Babylon 4:09
9. Azrael 3:30
10. Cross The Line 4:00
11. World On Fire 4:04

Band members
R.D. Liapakis – vocals
Evan K – lead guitars
Markus Pohl – rhythm guitars
Joey Roxx – bass
Hanno Kerstan – drums

Album Review – Grave Digger / Symbol of Eternity (2022)

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The mighty Grave Digger go back in time to offer us all a powerful sequel to their 1998 classic Knights of the Cross based on the Knights Templar, the Crusades and the Holy Grail.

One of the most important and creative bands in the history of German rock and metal, the mighty Power Metal institution Grave Digger, is back two years after the excellent Fields of Blood with another headbanging album entitled Symbol of Eternity, bringing to our ears everything we’ve learned to love in their music since the band’s inception decades ago. Produced, mixed and mastered by the band’s mastermind, the iconic Chris Boltendahl himself, at his own studio named Graveyard Studios, and displaying a beautiful artwork by Uwe Jarling, Symbol of Eternity is a concept album based on the Knights Templar, the Crusades and the Holy Grail, working as a sequel to the band’s 1998 classic Knights of the Cross while showcasing once again all the talent and passion of the aforementioned Chris Boltendahl together with his henchmen Axel Ritt on the guitars, Jens Becker on bass and Marcus Kniep on drums.

It’s time to head into the battlefield to the sound of the epic, cinematic intro The Siege Of Akkon before Chris & Co. deliver pure Heavy Metal in the exciting Battle Cry, with Marcus dictating the pace with his old school beats accompanied by the rumbling bass by Jens. Put differently, it’s pure, unfiltered Grave Digger for all diehard fans of the band to sing along with them, and the same can be said about Hell Is My Purgatory, showcasing an addictive chorus vociferated by Chris (“Hell is my purgatory / I’m a sinner, I’m your priest / Hell is my purgatory / Faith unleashed the beast / Hell is my damnation / My holy revelation / Hell is my crematory / Hell! Hell! Hell!”) and a great sync between Axel’s riffs and Jens’ metallic bass. Then pure German metal riffage flows from Axel’s guitar in the also high-octane King Of The Kings, where Marcus once again hammers his drums in great fashion, whereas the title-track Symbol Of Eternity brings forward the band’s usual heaviness and obscurity, displaying a sluggish pace, somber passages and the melancholic vocals by Chris, albeit not as exciting a the rest of the album. After the short Middle Eastern-inspired interlude Saladin, the band returns in full force with Nights Of Jerusalem, offering our ears more of their thunderous drums, dirty riffs and raspy vocals. Moreover, we all know Chris is an amazing storyteller, and he nails it once again in this classic tune.

Heart Of A Warrior presents another beyond catchy chorus (“Take my last breath / Prepared myself to death / In my last hour / I feel the power / And I was sent by God / To be victorious / I got the heart / Of a warrior”) embraced by a classic Grave Digger sonority; while acoustic guitars kick off the mid-tempo, headbanging tune Grace Of God, with its background symphonic element adding an extra touch of epicness to the overall result. Back to a more melodic sonority, it’s time for Axel to extract sheer electricity form his guitar in Sky Of Swords, perfect for banging your head and raising your fists in the air together with the unrelenting Grave Digger, followed by Holy Warfare, a pure Heavy and Power Metal feast made in Germany with an exciting pace and riffage where Marcus pounds his drums as we dive into the battle together with the band. The Last Crusade, the last original song from the album, will darken the skies to the deep, sinister vocals by Chris while the instrumental pieces sound and feel utterly powerful. Last but not least, the bonus track Hellas Hellas, featuring guest vocals by its original singer Vasilis Papakonstantinou, has been a staple in Grave Digger’s sets whenever they played Greece, since the 90’s, and this new studio version kicks some serious ass to the point it should be played anywhere, not just in Greece (and you can compare it to the original version by clicking HERE).

Grave Digger Symbol of Eternity Limited Collector’s Hardcover Boxset

Symbol of Eternity can be savored in its entirety on Spotify, but of course if you’ve always been a loyal soldier of the Grave Digger army you can purchase your favorite version of the album by clicking HERE, including the super limited collector’s hardcover boxset (and good luck trying to find that one available as it’s limited to only 500 copies worldwide) that includes the limited 2CD mediabook, a 115 x 75cm flag, an armband with metallic 3D emblem, an A3 poster, a signed autograph card and a certificate of authenticity. Also, don’t forget to follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news and their electrifying tour dates, raising your sword together with Chris and his horde whenever they take your city by storm. In a nutshell, Symbol of Eternity might not get even close to being their strongest effort to date, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a powerful and gripping album of old school German Heavy Metal, proving why Grave Digger have been on the road for so many decades and showing us all they’re far from calling it quits. Long live Grave Digger, and may their Power Metal be part of the soundtrack of our lives for all eternity!

Best moments of the album: Battle Cry, Hell Is My Purgatory, Heart Of A Warrior and Holy Warfare.

Worst moments of the album: Symbol Of Eternity.

Released in 2022 ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records

Track listing
1. The Siege Of Akkon 1:03
2. Battle Cry 3:53
3. Hell Is My Purgatory 3:53
4. King Of The Kings 4:43
5. Symbol Of Eternity 5:18
6. Saladin 0:36
7. Nights Of Jerusalem 4:40
8. Heart Of A Warrior 3:46
9. Grace Of God 4:23
10. Sky Of Swords 4:16
11. Holy Warfare 3:43
12. The Last Crusade 5:20
13. Hellas Hellas (Vasilis Papakonstantinou cover) 4:00

Limited Edition Boxset/ Mediabook CD 2 (Live at Metal Hammer Paradise)
1. The Clansman’s Journey 1:31
2. Healed by Metal 4:31
3. The Clans Will Rise Again 5:31
4. Lawbreaker 3:33
5. The Roundtable 5:36
6. The Curse of Jacques 5:09
7. Season of the Witch 5:17
8. Excalibur 5:25
9. Rebellion 5:49
10. Witch Hunter 3:44
11. Heavy Metal Breakdown 8:18

Band members
Chris Boltendahl – vocals
Axel Ritt – guitar
Jens Becker – bass
Marcus Kniep – drums

Guest musician
Vasilis Papakonstantinou – vocals on “Hellas Hellas”