For almost four decades, GRAVE DIGGER have embossed the international heavy-metal scene like almost no other band. Founded back in 1980 in the small town Gladbeck in Germany, the band featuring mastermind Chris Boltendahl generated their very own unique style that spreads, labeled as “True German Heavy Metal”, fusing elements of fear, fright and headbanging. Grave Digger’s twentieth album Fields of Blood will be released on 29 May 2020, celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary.

We took a day off to follow them around and see what they are up to!

 

What time do you wake up in the morning?

I stand up at 6:30 every morning.

 

And what’s for breakfast?

I eat 2 pieces of Toast with Peanut Butter and Cheese.

 

How do you prioritize your music related projects during the day?

It depends on what I have to do but I would think that I use betwenn 5 -7 hours a day for music and the business around music.

 

Throwback Thursday: If it was the 80’s what would you be doing today?

Drinking!!!

 

How do you keep in touch with all band members? Do you have regular meetings, Skype calls, get togethers?

We are in touch with Whats App and Facebook… sometimes we use to speak to each other by phone. We are located in four different cities in Germany.

 

What are you listening to today?

To Grave Digger’s new album Fields of Blood… no joke.

 

We know you always had a #homeoffice as a #selfemployed your whole life through. What does it look like? Please describe your work space.

I work like every other employee … I have things to do quickly, and projects which need to be ready tomorrow…

  So early in the morning, I create my to-do list for the day, week and month. It´s a normal working day beside shows and studio.

 

Do you keep in touch with fans? Reading comments and feedback?

We answer mail, comments on FB or other mediums…

 

It’s the end of a working day. How do you unwind?

I´m cooking and hanging around with my family.

 

Thank you so much and we are looking forward to catching up with you on the road again!

Be safe,

Chelf on behalf of MHF magazine.

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GRAVE DIGGER is:
Chris Boltendahl – Vocals
Axel Ritt – Guitar
Jens Becker – Bass
Marcus Kniep – Drums

Pre-Order Fields of Blood HERE

 

Fields of Blood is the conclusion of a legendary trilogy and an auditory battle of unique traditional metal. The album takes the listener on an emotional journey through Scottish history and into explosive sound landscapes. Driving riffs and epic choruses meet the famous “Great Highland Bagpipes”: In the Highlands, the battlefields of Stirling, Bannockburn and Culloden, the listener will find himself on a rollercoaster between grief and triumph again, losses and wins with the Scottish freedom fighters.

After The Clans Will Rise Again and Tunes Of War, GRAVE DIGGER close their Highland saga in triumphal style. Just recently, the band shared a first single, “All for the Kingdom“, a mercilessly epic track and heavy metal masterpiece that shows the direction of the new GRAVE DIGGER album in perfection.

Even 40 years later, the ethos of the band has not changed, and yet GRAVE DIGGER sound modern and timeless like never before. They still stay true to their no-frills, traditional brand of metal with unwavering pure steel, which nevertheless offers surprises, and celebrates such a special anniversary of one of the most successful German heavy metal pioneers in the most glorious style!

Fields of Blood will be available in the following formats:
– 4 Page Digipack
– VINYL 1LP Gatefold Black
– VINYL 1LP Gatefold Edition in Gold, Limited to 100 copies
– Wooden Box Edition: Bonus Live DVD “Live in Japan”, Highland flask + Bonus 7″ Single Limited to 300 copies (Napalm Records Mailorder only!)
– Digipack & Shirt Bundle
– VINYL 1LP & Shirt Bundle (Black Vinyl) US Store Only