Mad About Rock

After reviewing German heavy metal bands new album, 'Return Of The Reaper' I wanted to find out more about the new album, as well as how the German metal scene has changed since the 1980s and more, as Grave Digger were and still are a big part of this. I put my questions to the guitar virtuoso, Axel Ritt..  After releasing an incredible sixteen studio albums since your formation in 1980, you are back with your seventeenth album, 'Return Of The Reaper' which was released on 11th July 2014, how happy are you with this new release and the response so far?   We are very, very happy with the result, especially because it was a lot of hard work to put the album where it is now. Fortunately, the fans are of the same opinion, because we got the highest chart entries ever worldwide in the whole band history! It’s awesome!   The new album pays homage to your earlier classic albums, such as 'Heavy Metal Breakdown' (1984), 'Witch Hunter' (1985) and 'The R...

This German heavy metal band formed back in 1980, being part of the German high speed power metal to emerge in the early to mid-1980s. The band has toured all over and have released many albums over the three decades, and with their latest release, 'Return Of The Reaper' the heavyweights show why they still are at the forefront, with their best and darkest offering yet to be released via Napalm Records.. Opening intro song fittingly titled, 'Return Of The Reaper' portrays just that with its sorrowful piano and vibe, setting the theme of the grim reaper on his horse with the sound of hooves and screams, making it very atmospheric and then the instruments blast out!.. 'Hell Funeral' strikes you with its classic 80s sound and has the makings of an hit anthem with its particularly melodic chorus and fast rhythms showing some stand out guitar work from Axel Ritt! 'Wargod' boasts good lyrics which are delivered superbly by Chris Boltendahl, who real...