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See also Gravedigger (disambiguation).
Grave Digger
Grave Digger at Metalcamp in 2007
Grave Digger at Metalcamp in 2007
Background information
Origin Germany
Genre(s) Heavy metal
Speed metal
Power metal
Years active 1980–Present
Members
Chris Boltendahl
Jens Becker
Manni Schmidt
Stefan Arnold
Hans-Peter Katzenburg
Thilo Herrmann

Grave Digger is a German heavy metal band formed in 1980. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Speed metal is a sub-genre of Heavy metal music originating in the late 1970s and early 1980s that was the direct musical progenitor of Thrash metal. Power metal is a style of Heavy metal music combining characteristics of traditional metal with Thrash metal or Speed metal, often within Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar)

Contents

Band history

After various appearances at small festivals, the band, comprising Chris Boltendahl, Peter Masson, Willi Lackmann and Albert Eckardt, recorded a song for the compilation album Rock from Hell in 1983. A year later, Grave Digger released their debut album Heavy Metal Breakdown. Heavy Metal Breakdown is the first Studio Album by the German heavy metal band Grave Digger.

They released their second album Witch Hunter in 1985. Witch Hunter is Grave Digger 's second album It was released in May 1985 by Noise Records. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) After this album was completed, Eckardt left the band; he was replaced by C. F. Brank. Further festival appearances, a tour as the warm-up act for Helloween and, finally, a triple headline tour with Celtic Frost and Helloween followed, and all before the release of the third album War Games in January 1986. Helloween is a German power / Speed metal band founded in the early 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool Celtic Frost were an influential heavy metal band from Zürich, Switzerland. Helloween is a German power / Speed metal band founded in the early 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool War Games was Grave Digger 's third album released in 1986 by Noise Records. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Thereafter, Peter Masson gave way to Uwe Lulis; in 1987 the band's name was changed to Digger, the name under which they released the album Stronger than Ever. Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) This album hardly had anything in common with the earlier music of Grave Digger. It was more an attempt to reach the masses with mainstream rock like that of Bon Jovi or Van Halen. Bon Jovi is an American Hard rock band from Sayreville New Jersey. Van Halen is a Hard rock band formed in in 1972 They enjoyed success from the release of their self titled debut album in 1978 The album flopped, as it wasn't accepted by fans or the masses. As a result, Chris Boltendahl declared, at the end of 1987, the break up of the band.

However, the band partially reformed in 1991. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Christ Boltendahl and Uwe Lulis, along with two valuable newcomers, Tomi Göttlich and Jörg Michael, who had been the drummers for Rage and Running Wild, released a comeback record, The Reaper. Rage is a Heavy metal band from Germany, formed in 1984 Background Rage began in 1984 under the previous band name Avenger. Running Wild are a German heavy metal band formed in 1976 in Hamburg. For other uses of the term reaper, see Reaper (disambiguation. This album returned to the true roots of Grave Digger. In the same year, the album Best of the Eighties was released; it represented a quasi Best-of-Album of their earlier songs.

The album Symphony of Death followed in 1994. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) In the interim, Grave Digger, now with a new drummer, Frank Ullrich, toured Germany, playing as the warm-up act for Manowar. Manowar is an American heavy metal band from Auburn New York. In 1995 the album Heart of Darkness appeared; it was a very dark album with many influences from the early works of Annihilator. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 For the Joseph Conrad novel see Heart of Darkness. For other uses see Heart of Darkness (disambiguation. Annihilator is a Canadian Thrash metal band formed in 1984 They debuted with the critically-acclaimed album Alice in Hell in 1989

In 1996, Stefan Arnold became the band's new drummer. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) This year also marked the release of the concept album Tunes of War, which dealt with the early history of Scotland. Tunes of War is a Concept album by German metal band Grave Digger about the Scottish struggles for independence from England from the medieval conflicts Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. This album was the first part of the Middle Ages Trilogy, completed in 1999. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) The second album, Knights of the Cross, with Jens Becker as bass guitarist, was completed in 1997 and was about the rise and fall of the Knights Templar. Knights of the Cross is an album by German heavy metal band Grave Digger released in 1998 Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (Pauperes commilitones Christi Templique Solomonici commonly known as the Knights Templar or the Order The final part of the trilogy, finished in 1999, Excalibur explored the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Excalibur is a concept album by Grave Digger about the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the round table. King Arthur is a legendary British leader who according to medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against the Saxon invaders Shortly after this followed a world tour with the keyboardist Hans-Peter Katzenburg, who later became a permanent bandmember.

The Anniversary Years

In 2000, Grave Digger celebrated their 20th anniversary; to mark the occasion they performed at a sell-out concert at the Zeche in Bochum. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Bochum (ˈboːχʊm is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Many of the band's most popular songs were played alongside other less well-known ones. There were also a number of different supporting acts appearing with Grave Digger. This concert also marked a defining chapter in the band's history, as Uwe Lulis left a short while before the concert because of personal and business reasons. Lulis finally called his new band Rebellion. Rebellion is a German heavy-metal band. It was formed when Guitarist Uwe Lulis left Grave Digger, taking ex-Grave

A replacement, in the form of the ex-Rage guitarist, Manni Schmidt, was found. Rage is a Heavy metal band from Germany, formed in 1984 Background Rage began in 1984 under the previous band name Avenger. Along with him and the new record label Nuclear Blast, the album The Grave Digger appeared in 2001. The Grave Digger is an album by Grave Digger. This is the darkest album Grave Digger has done (along with 1995's "Heart of Darkness" Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. The works of Edgar Allan Poe served as an inspiration for the lyrics of the new album. Edgar Allan Poe (January 19 1809 – October 7 1849 was an American poet, short-story Writer, editor and Literary critic, Their first live album, Tunes of Wacken, appeared in 2002. Tunes of Wacken - Live is a live music album by Grave Digger recorded live at GD's Wacken show 2001 See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. This was coupled with the release of their first DVD, Wacken Open Air. About a year later, a further concept album, Rheingold, appeared, which centered on the opera Der Ring des Nibelungen by Richard Wagner. Rheingold is a concept album by German band Grave Digger, based on Richard Wagner 's The Ring of the Nibelung. Der Ring des Nibelungen ( The Ring of the Nibelung) is a cycle of four epic Music dramas by the German composer

After the successful Rheingold-Tour, the band recorded another album, The Last Supper, with Symphorce and Wizard; however, unlike previous albums, The Last Supper was not a concept album, despite several songs about the last days of Jesus. The Last Supper is the eleventh studio album by German heavy metal band Grave Digger. Symphorce is a German progressive Power metal band originally assembled in 1998. A few journalists described the album as the best since Tunes of War or Heavy Metal Breakdown. Tunes of War is a Concept album by German metal band Grave Digger about the Scottish struggles for independence from England from the medieval conflicts Heavy Metal Breakdown is the first Studio Album by the German heavy metal band Grave Digger. It was released on January 17, 2005. Less than a month later, the band began a tour with Stormhammer and Astral Doors in Andernach, the birthplace of Manni Schmidt. Astral Doors is a Swedish Heavy Metal band formed in 2002 It has released four Studio albums and an EP. Andernach (pronounced) is a town in the district of Mayen-Koblenz, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany of currently about 30000 inhabitants which are

October 2005 saw the release of a live DVD recording of the Last Supper Tour and the São Paulo concert. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. São Paulo ( is the largest city in Brazil, with its metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world The title, 25 to Live, commemorated the band's 25th anniversary.

Grave Digger released their latest studio album Liberty or Death on January 12, 2007. Liberty or Death is Grave Digger 's 12th studio album It was released on January 12, 2007 by Locomotive Records. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. A Double-Headline Tour together with Therion followed, beginning January 17, 2007 in Essen. Therion is a Swedish Symphonic metal band founded by Christofer Johnsson in 1987 Events 38 BC - Octavian marries Livia Drusilla. 1287 - King Alfonso III of Aragon invades Minorca Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Essen (ˈɛsən is a City in the center of the Ruhr Area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Line-up

Current members

Former members

Discography

Albums

EPs / Singles

Box Set

Live Albums

External links

Most of the bands Michael has played with are in the power metal genre Heavy Metal Breakdown is the first Studio Album by the German heavy metal band Grave Digger. Witch Hunter is Grave Digger 's second album It was released in May 1985 by Noise Records. War Games was Grave Digger 's third album released in 1986 by Noise Records. Stronger Than Ever is the fourth Studio Album by the German heavy metal band Grave Digger. The Best Of The Eighties is a Best Of album by German heavy metal band Grave Digger released in 1993 For other uses of the term reaper, see Reaper (disambiguation. For the Joseph Conrad novel see Heart of Darkness. For other uses see Heart of Darkness (disambiguation. Tunes of War is a Concept album by German metal band Grave Digger about the Scottish struggles for independence from England from the medieval conflicts Knights of the Cross is an album by German heavy metal band Grave Digger released in 1998 Excalibur is a concept album by Grave Digger about the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the round table. The Grave Digger is an album by Grave Digger. This is the darkest album Grave Digger has done (along with 1995's "Heart of Darkness" Rheingold is a concept album by German band Grave Digger, based on Richard Wagner 's The Ring of the Nibelung. The Last Supper is the eleventh studio album by German heavy metal band Grave Digger. Liberty or Death is Grave Digger 's 12th studio album It was released on January 12, 2007 by Locomotive Records. 1982 Demo Tape is a Demo released by Grave Digger. Track listing "Shoot Her Down" "The Looser" The Born Again Demo is a Demo tape released by Grave Digger. Track listing "Live to Die" "Legion of the Shoot Her Down is a Single released by Grave Digger. Track listing "Shoot Her Down" "Storming the Brain" 1991Grave Digger Demo Tape is a Demo released by Grave Digger. For Promotion Only Demo CD is an Demo released by Grave Digger. Symphony of Death is an EP released by Grave Digger. Track listing "Intro" "Symphony of Death" See also The Dark Of The Sun (disambiguation. The Dark Of The Sun is an EP released by Grave Digger. Tunes of Wacken - Live is a live music album by Grave Digger recorded live at GD's Wacken show 2001 25 to Live is a live album by Grave Digger, recorded in Sao Paulo Brazil on May 7th, 2005. MusicBrainz is a project that aims to create an Open content Music database
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