Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

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Band
Grave Digger
Title
Ballads Of A Hangman
Type
LP/EP
Company
Napalm
YOR
2009
Style
Power
1/13/2009 - Review by: Eric Compton

Grave Digger
Ballads Of A Hangman

Company: Napalm
Release: 2009
Genre: Power
Reviewer: EC

  • A turning point, yet disappointing



  • Ironically there are three holy trinities of German heavy metal. The power metal trio consists of Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Blind Guardian. The thrash threesome is Sodom, Kreator, and Destruction. The band at hand, Grave Digger, falls into the traditional class featuring Rage and Running Wild. These three groups of bands are as important to German metal as Udo's throaty "Sign Of Victory!" anthem in "Balls To The Wall". In other words, Grave Digger is important.

    In 2009 the band celebrates twenty-five years of studio recordings with their fourteenth release entitled "Ballads Of A Hangman". Oddly enough this album actually marks a turning point for the band. For the first time ever Grave Digger has recorded with twin guitars. Along with axe-grinder Manni Schmidt stands a living legend in Thilo Hermann. This guitar God has stood in line with some pretty respectable German outfits including Running Wild, Risk, Holy Moses, Glenmore, and the age old Faithful Breath. With this much power on the strings does "Ballads Of A Hangman" return the band to the "Heart Of Darkness" glory days? Sadly no.

    Certainly the band is still loud, fast, and heavy, but Chris Boltendahl has just ran out of ideas at this point. Schmidt and Hermann both back Bolendahl with writing duty but the end result is less than spectacular. This album, much like the last effort "Liberty Or Death", leaves fans like myself wondering if perhaps the Grave Digger has indeed sprinkled the dirt on the casket.

    The band's single, "Pray", was released as a preview for the album a few months ago. That track featured some atmosphere and keyboard elements that really made "The Grave Digger" sound dynamic and fresh eight years ago. Now it is just another cog going through the gears. The same can be said for this album's opening trio of songs, all of which sound like riffs passed down from previous albums and explored further with Hermann's approach. "Stormrider" does provide a refreshing moment, really storming through traditional metal grounds with a Black Sabbath "Neon Knights" vibe. The other refreshment is the sobering ballad "Lonely The Innocent Dies" with Benedictum vocalist Veronica Freeman really playing to Boltendahl's deep voice duet style. Beyond that the album just falls flat, completely missing the mark in terms of exploring dueling leads or melody.

    "Ballads Of A Hangman" is a thoroughly disappointing album and one that kicks off 2009 in less than stellar fashion. Grave Digger better find the same water hole as Saxon or this band and its legacy may indeed wear out their welcome.


    • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
      2 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: GRAVE DIGGER
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    Ballads Of A Hangman
    2009
    Napalm
    Eric Compton1/13/2009
    2
    Clash Of The Gods
    2012
    Napalm
    Eric Compton9/26/2012
    2.5
    Healed by Metal
    2016
    Napalm
    Eric Compton12/21/2016
    4
    Liberty or Death
    2006
    Locomotive Music
    Vinaya Saksena7/6/2007
    -
    Return of the Reaper
    2014
    Napalm
    Eric Compton7/9/2014
    4
    Rheingold
    2003
    Nuclear Blast
    Eric Compton6/27/2003
    -
    The Clans Will Rise Again
    2010
    Napalm
    Eric Compton3/10/2011
    2
    The Last Supper
    2005
    Nuclear Blast
    Eric Compton3/4/2005
    -

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: GRAVE DIGGER
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE
    Jens BeckerEric Compton2/7/2003


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