Grave Digger

Reissues noise / BMG

Dig this!

Germany’s Grave

Digger had a propensity for speed, in common with their thrashier Noise labelmates, but their own sound is pure heavy metal, welding Priestly precision riffing to Motörhead‑inspired brute force.

Vocalist Chris Boltendahl first encountered guitarist Peter Masson as he cranked out a Fast Eddie riff at their local youth club in 1980. Four years later, they kicked out a vicious set of metal jams in Heavy Metal Breakdown

(7/10). Boltendahl’s red‑raw roar leads the charge through shoutalong necksnappers (Headbanging Man, We Wanna Rock You), with the bonus cuts including non‑album single

Shoot Her Down.

1985’s Witch Hunter (8/10) keeps up the barrage, but finds them progressing as songwriters. Night Drifter and Fight For Freedom display greater complexity of riff and arrangement, while strong bonus tracks (Tears Of Blood, Shine On) maintain the quality.

Essential for fans, and highly recommended for anyone with a taste for vintage Accept, Motörhead and the NWOBHM.