Like if it's a return... But in a way it is: Grave Digger took some steps behind towards their roots, leaving epic tales which they've done in several theme albums. At least for a while. If you ask me, I always find theme albums harder to get into. Surely there are many theme album gems from many bands, but still I think that riff is the king. Even those story-based albums need good riffs, right? Same goes bands doing longer songs and albums, like it was a must to try and find something new (how about Iron Maiden's 'The Final Frontier' [2010]?).

Here Grave Digger really fire with full arsenal! The band wanted to go for more basic stuff, but it doesn't meant it's recycling of recycled bits, no. For a veteran band like Grave Digger are, 35 years old this year, it sound very, very youthful. But a fucking brainiac too, without surprise. This has happened with their countrymen Accept, too, who were kind of lost in their way, unlike Grave Digger. I think this album could divide audience even into lovers and haters. I think this is a fine way for the band to vent some steam. I'm not speculating about their next full-length album, but they've exhumed and re-recorded some old songs. For me, both epic Grave Digger tales and pure into-the-point heavy metal songs work well, and what else matter then?! The production is top-notch. It's got today's powerful kick in it, but it does not sound plastic. It simply rips and booms.

This album includes an intro and eleven songs. The longest one is just over 5 minutes long, and that one is also second of two slower pieces. Even the debut album 'Heavy Metal Breakdown' from 1984 had longer songs, heh. I'm not saying, that a song cannot be an epic, if it's not long. In their extensive discography, the band's longest song is close to 12 minutes, but next ones just over 7 minutes long. Mainly, the band has always been kind of into-the-point in their songwriting. Anyway, here's also one of shortest song in the band's history, clocking just under 3 minutes (not counting intros). The album lasts for under 44 minutes. So, is it enough, in terms of epicness and duration?

The music Grave Digger have created here can be so epic, but also so basic. Basic in terms of awesome musicians, that is... Anyway, the title track stars, and wind and thunder is heard, then a church bell. Soon a piano rendition of Chopin's 'The Funeral March' continues the gloomy atmosphere. Then, horses pulling cart, and soon woman screaming and enter the band. And on to 'Hell Funeral'... What a ripping riff, hammering bass and double kick drum assault! It figurative threw me on my back. Gladly only my mind flipped, because it could have made me drive my car out of the road. I'm not joking. Chris Boltendahl's insane, wobbly and manly vocals are unforgivable: You handle 'em or not. The songwriting might be basic, but because the band are so talented, there's just so much to be heard in a song. The amount of details is just breathtaking. And it all sounds like it was so bloody simple to play and sing. There's an unstoppable drive to the song, no matter if there's a break or tempo changes into a bit calmer. Axel "Ironfinger" Ritt nails it with his ripping and hammering guitar playing. Add to that his stylish melodiousness and swifty fingers. He also gives a lesson to Kirk Hammett how to use a wah pedal. This is his third album for the band already, and now there's way less Domain-esque playing heard (Domain is Ritt's own band). It was just not meant to happen on this album, I think.

'War God' gets faster (I'm not gonna count how many BPM) adding here some speed metal, my friends! With 'Tattooed Rider', the band hail Judas Priest; 1980s guitar synthesizer stuff is wicked here, but the song's never a clone. A few songs of German heavy metal follow, every one of them packed with tacky song writing. Slower 'Season of the Witch' is closest to latter Grave Digger style. 'Satan's Host' is rather rocking piece, in vein of Motörhead with Mikkey Dee doing double kick drums. The album closes differently, as 'Nothing to Believe' is a solemn ballad, with a serene piano-driven part, and an epic chorus. While it is far from the magnificence of 'The Silence', but still a fine song. Despite this ending, the album is an energetic beast of mostly fast-paced heavy metal mayhem! This is a collection of nicely rolling live songs, than deeper epic tales, but this fact does not make this one a boring spin, no!

What to say about the rhythm section of bass player Jens Becker and Stefan Arnold. There's nothing proggy here, ha, but rock-solid work from both, giving loads of varying heavy metal beats and rhythms. They do their work, and are, of course, a highly important part of the band. Mr. Boltendahl's vocals are, as mentioned earlier, nothing too beautiful. But he's a true metal warrior, and also has a very distinctive voice. His style can be highly off-putting, due to its wobbly trait, but when you get his intent, you cannot but revere it. Most of the lyrics are simplistic, but not foolish; there's not much tale-telling, but mostly full-on metal lyricism with themes of war, evil, death etc. Keyboard player HP Katzenburg doesn't get a lot to play in these songs, by the way...

'Return of the Reaper' is in a way Grave Digger's 'Painkiller' (1990) or 'Balls to the Wall' (1983). This is an album filled with massive amount of energy and catchy heavy metal in vein of those two decades. Or like the fantastic latest one from Accept, 'Blind Rage'; These 2014 albums both include regaining a lot of old times' power and lethality. This loudly screams: "Heavy metal never dies!!!"

Rating: 9- (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
10/13/2016 18:03