Album Review: “Bone Collector” by Grave Digger – Metal-Roos

Grave Digger, a German heavy metal band formed in 1980, followed in the footsteps of their fellow countrymen Accept, taking their sound and adding a heavier twist to pioneer the heavy/power metal genre. This bold and intense style of power metal influenced bands like Helloween, Rage, and Running Wild, and continued to inspire new generations of bands such as Iron Savior, Orden Ogan, and Primal Fear. Germany has become a major hub for power metal bands, with Grave Digger leading the charge over the last forty years and setting the stage for others to follow.

Led by vocalist Chris Boltendahl, Grave Digger has been a prominent figure in the metal scene for over four decades, releasing a total of twenty-two studio albums. Their latest offering, ‘Bone Collector,’ released in 2025, features eleven tracks packed into forty-six minutes of pure metal energy. As a long-time fan of Grave Digger, I may be biased, but ‘Bone Collector’ lives up to its name with its bone-crushing, skull-cracking heavy metal sound.

The title track ‘Bone Collector’ kicks off the album with thundering energy and relentless power, setting the tone for what’s to come. The album continues to deliver hit after hit, with tracks like ‘The Rich, The Poor, The Dying’ and ‘Kingdom Of Skulls’ showcasing Grave Digger’s unwavering intensity and musical prowess. Each song on the album is a testament to the band’s legacy and their ability to captivate audiences with their sheer metal force.

Songs like ‘The Devils Serenade’ and ‘Killing Is My Pleasure’ ramp up the intensity even further, drawing listeners into Grave Digger’s metal universe with their relentless pace and electrifying guitar riffs. The band’s anthemic qualities shine through in tracks like ‘Mirror Of Hate’ and ‘Riders Of Doom,’ where the sheer power of their music can move mountains and shake the earth beneath your feet.

‘Graveyard Kings’ and ‘Forever Evil & Buried Alive’ further solidify Grave Digger’s reign as one of the heavy metal titans, delivering a sonic onslaught that will leave metalheads craving for more. The album culminates with ‘Whispers Of The Damned,’ a more subdued yet still impactful track that showcases Grave Digger’s versatility and depth as musicians.

In conclusion, ‘Bone Collector’ is a testament to Grave Digger’s unwavering commitment to delivering pure, unadulterated heavy metal to their fans. With their signature sound and unmatched energy, Grave Digger continues to prove why they are regarded as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. If you’re looking for a metal album that will blow you away and leave you headbanging for days, look no further than ‘Bone Collector’ by Grave Digger.