-Grave Digger-

Somewhere in the 70's Monsters of Rock as Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, AC/DC etc., was conquerring the old Albion writing NWOBHM history. The followers of this seed wass Motörhead, and in Germany, a land with tradition of bands such as Scorpions and Lucifers Friend, Accept. On these foundations in November 1980 Grave Digger appeared for first time, as nobodys followers of that kind of music. Playing live gigs and practising a lot, the metallic bags of AIOLOS, was to be opened for the Band. But their first official recording came in 1983 on the "Rock from Hell" sampler with the track "Violence", from which the band earned their first contract on German NOISE Records.

In early 1984 Grave Digger redorded the legendary first album "Heavy Metal Breakdown"(out in march 84). The members of the band then were: Chris Boltendahl on Vocals, Peter Masson on Guitar, Willi Lackman on bass guitar, Albert Eckert on Drums. During their first tour (on tour with Sinner, Warlock and Running Wild) they didnt rest at all, recording a maxi single salled "Shoot her down". In the March of 85, "Witchhunter" the second album was on the Market, playing the same style music as on their Debut. In May of the same year Grave Digger is on the road along with Helloween. Grave Diggers quest was unstoppable, in August one of their shows was shown to million Metalheads at home, through German TV. Another Sampler appears on the market called "Metal Attack Vol.1", with two Grave Digger tracks on it, "Shine On" and "Tears Of Blood". In January of 86 the third album "War Games" is ready. The Band Tours with Helloween and Celtic Frost. But the times was not the same as in the past. Metal came out of "fashion" or the companies, and pop-glam metal groups gained succes, as Poison, Europe, BonJovi. In March of 87 the Band split up, before in late 86 they had released another album called " Stronger than Ever" under the name Digger, on this album Uwe Lulis makes his debut on Guitar. This was the unglorious end of an era that was not ment to be for long.

But in the hot Summer of 1991, pop-glam metal was dying, in effect of grunge and alternative music. So Chris took the chance to reform his old band, seeing the flame and the desire in the real Metalheads, who was seeking for the glorious past years. After the reformation of the band, they recorded a demo "The Return Of The Reaper", and they went on tour, without having a current album to present in all Germany, wacking up the Metal flame, and seeking for a contract, to spread Death and Fear once more. Finally in 1993 they sign up with GUN Rec, and terrorize the crowed with the killer album "The Reaper", in november of the same year. Next to Chris stand other three man to support the fight: Uwe Lulis on guitar, Tomi Göttlich on Bass and Jörg Michael on Drums. 1994 finds the band on stage on a headline tour. In February they play support to Manowar in Cologne and Berlin. In April they release the Mcd " Symphony of Death". In April 95 the "Heart of Darkness" album comes to spread fear and darkness all over the world. With a new drummer Frank Ullrich they hit the Stage once more sealing their succes, with their absolut high performance at the Sommer Metal Meetings in Germany. In September of the same year Frank Ullrich leaves the band, and Stefan Arnold take the seet behind the Drum kit.Grave Digger hits the studio, working Hard. And at the end of the same month, the "Tunes of War " album, comes to crush all in its passing. The ultimate teutonic metal album ever (at least its my pure opinion, and maybe William Wallaces too!!). A video is taken in Scotland: Rebellion. The band started their European tour passing many countries bringing Metal to the Fans Hearts. In May of 97 Grave Digger passed Thessaloniki and Athens, their first time ever in Greece, a unique event never to be forgotten. Hell on Stage in a few words, the Reaper was taking all under his Flag. As a thank you, the Band played a cover song called "Hellas Hellas" in Greek language!!!, a song of Vassilis Papakonstantinou, a greek rock artist. After Greece Grave Digger played a few destivals more in Europe, and then hit the ocean crossing to South America along with Rage.

During the summer of 97 Grave Digger released a Mcd "The Dark of the Sun", with old songs and the self titeled in brandnew recording and mix. It also contained a extract from the song "Rebellion - Live in Athens" as intro. "The Dark of the Sun" also was released as a Picture Lp, containing a bonus track live,the above mentioned "Hellas Hellas". In the same period of time Tomi left the band, and his place took ex Running Wild, X-Wild, Jens Becker. They played in this lineup at Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany, a full succes oncemore.

"Knights Of The Cross" album is out(March 98), another piece of Metal History. The German Metallers show once more that Heavy Metal is still alive, and not dying as many said so far. Its concept is the story of The Order Of The Temlar Knights, a very mitstique organisation of the Medieval Ages, that was commanded to fight for Christianity, to claim the Holy Land. The Album takes place from the beginning of the journey and ends with their return from the Holy Land and their perseqution from the Catholic Church. The Reaper is on the Road again to take some souls with him.