German Power Metallers Grave Digger have announced an European headlining tour in March/April 2011. Special guests on the road will be Swedes Grand Magus and Sister Sin.

Tour dates as follows:

Mar. 24 - Germany - Hamburg, Markthalle
Mar. 25 - Germany - Speyer, Halle 101
Mar. 26 - Germany - Memmingen, Kaminwerk
Mar. 27 - Germany - Frankfurt, Batschkapp
Mar. 28 - Germany - Berlin, C-Club
Mar. 29 - Germany - Bochum, Zeche
Mar. 30 - Germany - Ludwigsburg, Rockfabrik
Mar. 31 - Germany - Munich, New Backstage
Apr. 01 - Germany - Glauchau, Alte Spinnerei
Apr. 02 - Germany - Lichtenfels, Stadthalle
Apr. 03 - Swiss - Pratteln, Z7
Apr. 04 - Italy - Milan, Alcatraz
Apr. 05 - Slovenia - Ljubljana, Hala Metelkova
Apr. 06 - Croatia - Zagreb, Mocvara Club
Apr. 07 - Slovakia - Bratislava, Randall
Apr. 08 - Czech Republic - Zlin, Masters of Rock
Apr. 09 - Germany - Andernach, Live Club
Apr. 10 - Belgium - Vosselaar, Biebob

...to be continued in France, Spain and Portgugal

Read more ››

Source:	grave-digger-clan.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger
Event:	Grave Digger: The Clan Comes To Your Town

German power metal veterans Grave Digger have shot a music video for the track "Highland Farewell", from the upcoming new record The Clans Will Rise Again, to be released in Europe by Napalm Records on October 1st 2010. Check out the clip below.


Read more ››

Source:	youtube.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger

German metallers Grave Digger have issued the following update on their official website:

"Dear Fans,

We released the first song from our upcoming album The Clans Will Rise Again via Youtube. "Hammer Of The Scots" is the official album version ... the photo gallery was done the last days during the video shoot for another song from the album called "Highland Farewell". It was a great experience to shoot a video about a scottish topic in the UK. The video people were so nice and productive that we are sure. This video will be killer ... nothing more to say ... in around 14 days you will see the result!

Have fun with this song and stay tune for the 1st of October .... Another legendary Grave Digger record will find its way to the stores.

Metal on
Chris, Jens, Axel, HP and Stefan."

The Clans Will Rise Again cover art] tracklist:

01. Days Of Revenge
02. Paid In Blood
03. Hammer Of The Scots
04. Highland Farewell
05. The Clans Will Rise Again
06. Rebels
07. Valley Of Tears
08. Execution
09. Whom The Gods Love Die Young
10. Spider
11. The Piper Mcleod
12. Coming Home
13. When Rain Turns To Blood


Read more ››

Source:	grave-digger-clan.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger

The new Grave Digger album has been recorded and mixed! Together with new member Axel Ritt on guitars, the band entrenched themselves from mid-May to mid-July at the Meadow Studios of Axel Ritt and the Principal Studios, the place all albums have been recordet since Heart Of Darkness in 1995. Mixed by Jörg Umbreit and produced by Chris Boltendahl, The Clans Will Rise Again will lead the listeners back to the scotish highlands.

Chris Boltendahl, Jens Becker, Stefan Arnold, HP Katzenburg and Axel Ritt offer an explosive mixture of the typical Grave Digger riff metal, combined with awesome epic chorus hooks, which will fascinate the fans from the very first note. The clans are back for attack!

The Clans Will Rise Again is a loose sequel of the Tunes Of War album, but this time not a concept album about the scotish history, rather a work about scotland, it's mysticism and it's people. The Clans Will Rise Again will be released in Europe by Napalm Records Oct. 1st 2010.

The Clans Will Rise Again tracklist:

01. Days Of Revenge
02. Paid In Blood
03. Hammer Of The Scots
04. Highland Farewell
05. The Clans Will Rise Again
06. Rebels
07. Valley Of Tears
08. Execution
09. Whom The Gods Love Die Young
10. Spider
11. The Piper Mcleod
12. Coming Home
13. When Rain Turns To Blood

Read more ››

Source:	grave-digger-clan.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger

German metallers Grave Digger have issued the following update on their official website:

"Hello Fans,

Yes, everything's on it's way, we're right in the middle of the recordings to the successor of the Ballad Of A Hangman and a lot has happened since the release of the that album. Nothing stays the same, but nothing has changed.

From January to March, we took our time for the new songwriting. Because of the appearance of Axel, we finally returned to the virtue, that we've lost that long ago. The triumvirate of metal, Jens Becker, Axel Ritt and Chris Boltendahl battened in harmony while the whole songwriting session and created 12 explosive songs, which got the spirit of Grave Digger for two-hundred percent. Since the days of Tunes Of War and The Grave Digger, the creativity around the songwriting process hadn't got that easy going.

Axel already recorded the rhythm guitars in his own meadow studios, accompanied by some drum programmings done by Stefan. At the end of the month, We'll enter the Principal studios to record drums, bass, vocals, keyboards and some guitar overdubs. Of course, from now we'll keep you informed about our activities with some short videoclips. Stay tuned!

At the upcoming weekend, we'll do some rehearsal with the whole bunch at the TLC studios, to practice all songs of the new album and check out the live playlist for the upcoming festivals. We're highly motivated, more than this, we're burning. The fourth decade of Grave Digger has begun! For all of you, who can't hold off their curiosity; the concept album is dead, Long live the concept album!... Bye for now.

Chris, Jens, Stefan, HP and Axel."

Read more ››

Source:	grave-digger-clan.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger

Original news, posted on 13.01.2010

German metallers Grave Digger have issued the following update:

"An eventful year 2009 lies behind us. It started with the release of the Ballads Of A Hangman album together with the successful European tour. Then the split with Thilo Herrmann (guitar)... Another successful trip to Russia. The festival season in summer with the Rock Harz festival and the Wacken Rocks South. Our first shows in Mexico and then finally Manni Schmidt (guitar) leaving the band, that was a real big shock to us all.

We had already booked some concerts (before) the end of the year and we didn't want to cancel them. So we decided to play the shows with a substitute guitarist. An old friend stepped in: Axel Ritt (Domain. So we had the chance to finish the year in a peaceful way with these concerts. We are glad to announce Axel as the new guitar player of Grave Digger. His playing and his behaviour on and off stage totally convinced us that he is the right man for the job.

We are already in the middle of the songwriting for the new album. In May we will enter the Principal Studios again to record the new material."

UPDATE (thanks to Bad English)

German metallers Grave Digger have issued the following update on their MySpace blog:

"Hi everybody,

Last weekend, we've been at the TLC studio, Cologne /Pulheim to put down the first song ideas of the upcoming album. Holy shit, what a blast! Although we only got the first compositions on the list, you can imagine the direction of the songs. Let's call it typical Grave Digger!

Once again you'll get the full monty, but spiced with some tiny little finesse. After all that stress within the last year, finally we had the chance to leave the ballast behind and rock it off our chest. Axel and Jens put down some awesome riff ideas, which will be hammered to real hot steel within the next 3 months.

At the middle of May, we'll be at the Principal studio once again, let the Resetti Brothers (never change a winning team) produce the new album.

All you fans out there will get what you want us to do and for what you loved and kept faith with us.

According to the motto: "The Clans Will Rise Again"
Metal On.
Chris, Jens, Axel, Stefan and HP."

Read more ››

Source:	grave-digger-clan.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger

Original news, posted on 09.10.2009

German metallers Grave Digger have issued the following update regarding the disbandment of guitarist Manni Schmidt from their ranks:

"We have to make an announcement that most of you probably never expected. A band like Grave Digger has to develop constantly. The problem is that this is only possible if the musicians have the same goal and the same attitude. And they have to feel good with what they are doing. If you have some permanent stress in the band, there is no more productive work possible and in the long run the music suffers from this situation. Unfortunately, there were so many disagreements recently building up between Manni and Chris that this would affect the productivity and creativity in a bad way. Because of all this, Manni decided to leave Grave Digger. This happened by mutual consent. We wish Manni all the best for the future and say thank you for many nice and eventful years.

But we also have some good news: There is no effect on the concerts that are already booked. The last word about the replacement guitar player is not spoken yet. We first want to wait for the results of the rehearsals. After this, we will introduce you to the replacement guitarist. We already spoke to a possible candidate and we will start the rehearsals in the next days."

UPDATE (thanks to 5933)

Grave Digger states: "This week, we had the first rehearsal with our replacement guitarist Axel Ritt (Domain). Everything went well and we have a positive feeling about the upcoming concerts, Axel was learning our live program in only 3 weeks. He is a good old friend of Stefan and Chris and for now he will be the replacement guitar player until the end of the year. We will make a final decision at the beginning of January. But now we are excited about the upcoming gigs."

Read more ››

Source:	grave-digger-clan.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger

Grave Digger have posted the following update:

"We are very sad to inform you that we have separated from Thilo Herrmann. After all the euphoria about the second guitarist in the beginning, first doubts regarding the current situation of the band started showing up bit by bit.

There were many different things, starting with the free room on the stage and going on to musical aspects, that have been observed by every old member of the band independently and which finally made us feel that we would have to separate from Thilo. This decision has been made by common consent and on behalf of the whole band. It does not have to do with any interpersonal problems or the like. In fact we took it very hard to separate from that really nice guy that Thilo is.

Grave Digger has been a well-attuned team for a very long time and according to expectations it's hard for a new musician to become integrated. Where previously a well practised team performed on the stage we were not able to pal up to a sixth man.

As for Thilo we wish him all the best for his musical and private future."

Source:	grave-digger-clan.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger

"Ballad Of A Hangman", the new video from German metallers Grave Digger, can be viewed at this location.

The song comes off the band's new album, entitled "Ballads Of A Hangman", which will be released on January 9, 2009 via Napalm Records.

Read more ››

Source:	youtube.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger

German power metallers Grave Digger have posted a sample of a new song entitled "Ballad Of A Hangman" on their MySpace page. The track comes off the group's forthcoming album, "Ballads Of A Hangman", which is scheduled for a January 9, 2009 release via Napalm Records. The "Pray" single will precede the album on November 28.

The tracklisting for "Ballads Of A Hangman" cover art] is shaping up as follows:

01. The Gallows Pole
02. Ballad Of A Hangman
03. Hell Of Disillusion
04. Sorrow Of The Dead
05. Grave Of The Addicted
06. Lonely The Innocence Dies
07. Into The War
08. The Shadow Of Your Soul
09. Funeral For A Fallen Angel
10. Stormrider
11. Pray
12. Jailbreak

The group's frontman Chris Boltendahl states: "We are very happy with the result. I think it is one of the hardest records we ever did."

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger

The following news was posted at Grave Digger official website:

"Dear Fans, we will tour Russia next month again ... three shows in a row for the Russian fans. We are very excited about that cause the Russian fans are very special and enthusiastic."

Here are the dates :

2008-10-19 Russia - Moscow - Plan B
2008-10-20 Russia - Kaliningrad - DK Rybakov
2008-10-21 Russia - St. Petersburg - Orlandina

"The "Hangman" mix is finished and we are very happy with the result. I think is one of the hardest record we ever did. Today the "video single track - Pray" will be online at the youtube.com page from Napalm Records. Here´s the link. But don't get irritated, this is the extended single version . The album is a "bit" harder then the single. The tracklist will be released in the next days."

Read more ››

Source:	grave-digger-clan.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger
Event:	Grave Digger: Russian Tour

Napalm Records announce that the legendary German Metal band Grave Digger has joined their ranks. The band, who has been releasing cult classics since the early eighties, signed a worldwide record deal with the Austrian label.
Currently, the band and charismatic frontman Chris Boltendahl are working on their new studio album "Ballads of a Hangman", which will hit the streets on 9 January 2009. A yet untitled MCD will be released as a preview on 28 November 2008. More details cannot be revealed at this point in time, but the band promises that the new recordings will consist of "120% Metal." Headbangers can expect a celebration of true classic Heavy Metal.

Chris Boltendahl: "Grave Digger look forward to working together with their new label Napalm Records. We have observed the excellent work of the label in the past few years."

"Napalm did see the writings on the wall and is one of the leading companies for example in Online Promotion and Marketing. They elevated older bands like Atrocity to new heights and established newcomers like Alestorm. Thus, we are convinced that Napalm will bring out the best in us, and in return we will deliver a masterpiece of German True Metal. A storm is coming, the sea is rough, the coxswains are the veterans, only the ship is new and manned by an excellent crew who know their craft."

Read more ››

Source:	napalmrecords.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger

Grave Digger have posted next statement:

''Now we want to offer you the new dates for 2009. Here you can see the confirmed dates. Alestorm and one second band will support our shows."

Grave Digger & Alestorm plus special guest

Do 15.Januar 2009 Halle- Easy Schorre
Fr 16.Januar 2009 Lichtenfels- Stadthalle
Sa 17.Januar 2009 Glauchau- Alte Spinnerei
So 18.Januar 2009 Berlin- Columbia Club
Mo 19.Januar 2009 Bochum- Zeche
Di 20.Januar 2009 Aschaffenburg- Colosaal
Mi 21.Januar 2009 Ludwigsburg- Rockfabrik
Do 22.Januar 2009 Saarbrücken- Garage
Fr 23.Januar 2009 Speyer- Halle 101
Sa 24.Januar 2009 Andernach-Juz Live Club
So 25.Januar 2009 Hamburg- Markthalle
Mo 26.Januar 2009 München- New Backstage
Di 27.Januar 2009 CH-Pratteln- Z7

''At the moment we write new songs and we will go to studio for a preproduction at June 20.''

The band will start recording a new album on 15th August for a January 2009 release. The new CD will reportedly be another concept album.

Read more ››

Source:	grave-digger.de
Band profile:	Grave Digger
Event:	Grave Digger + Alestorm

Grave Digger have announced three new dates for Germany in support of their latest album "Liberty Or Death". As confirmed are:

31-10-07 Germany Bochum Zeche
01-11-07 Germany Saarbrücken Garage
02-11-07 Germany Speyer Halle 101

Grave Digger are also scheduled to play three headlining shows in Russia this month. Those dates have now been confirmed and are as follows:

28-03-07 Krasnodar, Centr Iskusstv 'Premiera'
30-03-07 Ekaterinburg, 'Kosmos'
31-03-07 Moscow, 'Apelsin' club

A complete list of all Grave Digger live dates can be found here.

Read more ››

Source:	grave-digger.de
Band profile:	Grave Digger
Event:	Grave Digger: Russian Tour

German Heavy metallers Grave Digger have put two new songs from their upcoming album "Liberty Or Death" online at their unofficial MySpace.
The songs are called 'Liberty Or Death' and 'Ocean Of Blood' and are the first two songs of the album, which will be released on 12 January 2007. More info about the album here.

Read more ››

Source:	myspace.com
Band profile:	Grave Digger