Grave Digger, the Teutonic metal machine, seem unstoppable, as the keep on churning out traditional quality metal, year after year, without fail.
This time they’re back with an EP, entitled “Home at Last” which acts as a precursor to the forthcoming “Clash Of The Gods” which should be coming out, sometime by the end of the summer and seems to deal in almost its entirety – with themes lifted from the Greek Mythology.
In a really cool, display of class, that quite a few of his compatriots seem to lack, especially, those in positions of power (I’m talking about all the German politicians that seem to defecate from their mouths really when it comes to talking about Greece) Chris Boltendahl, the band’s mainman and sole remaining original member, declared his solidarity to his Greek Brothers, which was really touching. A simple man, that many of the “respectable” members of our society might thought to be an easy “target” shows, a far greater “heart” (not “full” of darkness) and a far better understanding, of some very basic human and international concepts.
Nuff, with this little rant however…
“Home at Last” eponymously kicks off the EP, and it’s a rather standard mid-tempo metal number, whose chorus owes a great deal to the late and great Gary Moore’s “Over The Hills And Far Away” but builds, nicely, upon that, if you’re willing to turn a little “blind eye” at the infringement!
“Rage Of The Savage Beast” is a sturdier, darker tune, very Accept-like in stature, with a chorus that’s very typical of their fellow Teutons and a harmony that’s also great! Simple, but effective!
“Metal Will Never Die” is not a “cover” of the now famous Dio-sung tune, but an original, that states the obvious! The band’s dedication to the “metal”. As cliché and banal, as these songs tend to be, this one, with I’'s simple AC/DC lick and it’s sincerity, manages to avoid, turning into a self-parody like countless others!
To round off the EP, there are also 3 live tracks, recorded live at Wacken, back from 2010, namely the rousing “Ballads of A Hangman”, the even more vigorous “Excalibur” and the immortal “Heavy Metal Breakdown” that the band thunders away with great conviction. Chris’s voice is a little on the rough side, I’d say, but still, his passionate delivery, carries him through, gracefully enough!
As an EP, (quite long actually – a little shy of 30 mins) this release, is not an absolute must, but it’s sincere and as I love the band and the theme, is Greek, I could not pass it, trying to return, the solidarity back to “The Digger” and show them that they are not forgotten!
Now herr Chris, you minotaur, take your companions, board a ship, (or a bus, or a plane) and embark on a “metal” odyssey, making a little stop, on our shores, if you please! Hellas!
PS: The grade, is not meant to indicate that the content is bad, but is somewhat lower, since this is deemed more of a “for fans-only” or at least mainly release, hence – we’re trying to reflect that it’s not a must-by, unless you’re a fan. Obviously, the more you support the bands, especially those that deserve it – the more METAL thrives and yes actually BUYING the albums helps a LOT!