GRAVE DIGGER

Fields Of Blood NAPALM

Teutonic classic metallers find inspiration in unexpected quarters

Twenty albums in 40 years is remarkable enough, even before you factor in an eightyear hiatus, but good old Grave Digger have long since come to embody the hoary stereotype of ruthless German efficiency. Their work rate is phenomenal, but the hit rate varies. However, news that they’ve returned their focus to Scottish history is cause for celebration; the Ruhr Valley stalwarts are at their best when documenting Highland clan skirmishes, and like 1996’s Tunes Of War

and 2010’s The Clans Will Rise Again, Fields Of Blood urges the band to their most rousing, impassioned, anthemic power metal, a set of gleaming, symphonic compositions easily besting the rickety rough’n’tumble of previous recent offerings. ■■■■■■■■■■

FOR FANS OF: Saxon, Sabaton, Gloryhammer CHRIS CHANTLER