• Sun. Feb 9th, 2025

Grave Digger – The Bone Collector Has Arrived!

ByTaylor T Carlson

Feb 3, 2025
BONE COLLECTOR is the 22nd album from Grave Digger.

It’s been a long and interesting ride for Grave Digger. Vocalist Chris Boltendahl continues to surround himself with excellent musicians, and for over four decades, the German heavy metal band has proven themselves to be one of Germany’s finest exports. Relentlessly hard and heavy, these guys deserve far more credit and recognition. How many other heavy metal bands are still making music 40+ years since their formation, let alone great music that rocks as hard and heavy as anything they’ve ever made?

For their 22nd album, BONE COLLECTOR, Boltendahl (who also produced) is joined by guitarist Tobi Kersting, bassist Jens Becker, and drummer Marcus Kniep. While the band has largely been known for recording concept albums in recent years, BONE COLLECTOR breaks from this tradition, going back to basics. Over 20 studio albums later, does Mr. Boltendahl still have it?

Wow. Right from the get-go, BONE COLLECTOR is absolutely relentless. It’s a nod to the old school in all the best ways, but with ultra-heavy modern production to give it that extra punch. Mr. Boltendahl’s vocals are as power as ever, soaring on every track. Despite having only been in the band since 2023, guitarist Tobi Kersting fits right in, proving himself the axeman these Teutonic terrors of heavy metal need in their corner. The rhythm section is equally impressive, with Marcus Kniep pounding away with the skins with an unrivaled ferocity. You can’t argue with the chemistry these guys have, and it shows on all ten tracks.

These tracks definitely work well as a coherent whole, but still manage to have their own identity, staying hard and heavy. Even if a track has some slower more melodic moments, you can rest assured there’s plenty of headbanging goodness right around the corner. The band holds nothing back… and bless them for that. There’s not a weak track in the bunch.

BONE COLLECTOR proves beautifully that Grave Digger aren’t done doing what they do best. Mr. Boltendahl and company have unleashed 10 all-new anthems, and there’s not a dull moment to be had in the mix. 2025 has only just begun, but when I do my Best of the Year list, don’t be surprised if this gem lands on there. Highly recommended to all headbangers!

By Taylor T Carlson

Taylor T Carlson Assistant Editor/Senior Staff Writer Taylor T. Carlson was born August 17, 1984, and has called the Vegas Valley home his entire life. A die-hard fan of classic rock and metal music, Taylor has been writing album and concert reviews since he was 16 years old, and continues to do so, having done well over 1,000 reviews. He is also a fan of video gaming and cinema, and has reviewed a number of games and films as well, old and new alike. His thorough and honest (some would say brutally honest) reviewing style has won him the respect of hundreds of music fans and musicians alike, both local and abroad, and the ire of just as many others. Despite being one of the youngest attendees at classic hard rock/metal shows around Vegas, he is also one of the most knowledgeable, having gained the unofficial nickname of “The Eddie Trunk of Las Vegas.” In addition to reviews, Taylor has written and self-published three books on classic hard rock bands, and is a regular participant in rock and roll trivia contests. Taylor also holds a masters degree in special education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), and has appeared on the hit History Channel television series Pawn Stars. His dream is to be able to one day make a living from writing music books and reviews.

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