For some reason, despite reviewing and enjoying the recent Yesterday EP from Grave Digger I didn’t have high hopes for this, their latest full length CD. I’ve no idea why that was but I am extremely pleased to report that Liberty or Death is an exceptional release from almost start to finish. The band, as evidenced on the Yesterday EP are getting further and further away from their thrash roots and much of this new disc is good old-fashioned, no nonsense Heavy Metal and hurrah for that. 

The titular opening track sets a sky scraping standard for the rest of the album. It’s a fist pumping, gloriously big chorused beast of a song which worms into your brain and won’t go away - truly exceptional. There’s no let up as Ocean of Blood continues in a rocking stylee. Grave Digger have always had a weird fascination with Scotland and this rears its head on Highland Tears. It would be very easy to take the piss but the band play with such conviction and passion that its hard not be swept along with the tide. 

It was about the time that I was listening to The Terrible One that I realised how much I was enjoying Liberty or Death and therefore had to question my initial prejudices against this album. Other than a slight lull in the mid-section of Until the last King Died and March of the Innocent this album is wonderful. It sounds great, it is expertly played and whilst some may find the vocals of Chris Boltondahl a tad challenging, I find that they add to the charm of the album as a whole. 

Peter Masson’s guitar work must be cited as being excellent throughout. He’s melodic when he needs to be yet suitably gritty as well. Of course it helps when the songs are good as well and the album gets fully back on its feet from Silent Revolution onwards including the somewhat bizarrely titled Forecourt to Hell! 

Sometimes when reviewing CD’s, getting to the end is a chore and you’d rather be dead than listen to another bloody song. That is absolutely not the case here as (almost every one’s a winner) and after it had finished I instantly wanted to act like a Teletubbie (“again, again.”) Grave Digger are touring in the new year with Therion and the mighty Sabaton including a date in London on January 21^st. You’d be a fool to miss that or indeed their new album which hits the shops on January 12th.

Let us know your views on 'Liberty or Death'

Track List

Liberty Or Death
Ocean Of Blood
Highland Tears
The Terrible One
Until The Last King Died
March Of The Innocent
Silent Revolution
Shadowland
Forecourt To Hell
Massada

Line Up

Chris Boltendahl - vocals
Manni Schmidt - Guitar
Jens Becker- Bass
Hp Katzenburg - Keys
Stefan Arnold - Drums