Early years and split (1980–1987)
After various appearances at small festivals, the band recorded two songs for the compilation album Rock from Hell in 1983. A year later, Grave Digger, now comprising Chris Boltendahl (vocals), Peter Masson (guitar), Willi Lackmann (bass) and Albert Eckardt (drums), released their debut album Heavy Metal Breakdown.
In 1985, with Lackmann having left the band, they recorded and released their second album Witch Hunter. Only after the album was completed, a replacement on bass was found in the form of C.F. Brank. Further festival appearances followed, a tour with Helloween as special guest and, finally, their third album War Games in January 1986. To promote this album, a triple headline tour with Celtic Frost and Helloween followed. 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. The album flopped, as it was not accepted by fans or the masses. As a result, Boltendahl declared at the end of 1987, the breakup of the band.
Reformation and Middle Ages Trilogy (1991–1999)
In 1991, the band was partially reformed. Boltendahl and Lulis, along with two newcomers, Tomi Göttlich and Jörg Michael, who had been the drummer for Rage and Running Wild, released a comeback record called The Reaper in 1993. This album was a return to the true roots of Grave Digger. In the same year, the album The Best of the Eighties was released. It represented a quasi Best-of-Album of their earlier songs.
An EP titled Symphony of Death followed in 1994. In the interim, Grave Digger, now with a new drummer, Frank Ullrich, toured Germany, playing as the warm-up act for Manowar. In 1995, the album Heart of Darkness appeared. It was a very dark album with many influences from the early works of Annihilator.
In 1996, Stefan Arnold became the band's new drummer. This year also marked the release of the concept album Tunes of War, which dealt with the history of Scotland. This album was the first part of the Middle Ages Trilogy. The second album, Knights of the Cross, with Jens Becker as bass guitarist, was released in 1998 and was about the rise and fall of the Knights Templar. The final part of the trilogy finished in 1999 with Excalibur. This album explored the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Shortly after, a tour soon followed through with keyboardist Hans-Peter Katzenburg, who later became a permanent band member.
The Grave Digger and Rheingold (2000–2004)
In 2000, Grave Digger celebrated their 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, they performed at a sell-out concert at the Zeche in Bochum. 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.
A replacement, in the form of the ex-Rage guitarist, Manni Schmidt, was found. Along with him and the new record label Nuclear Blast, the album The Grave Digger, appeared in 2001. The works of Edgar Allan Poe served as an inspiration for the lyrics of the new album. Their first live album, Tunes of Wacken, appeared in 2002. This was coupled with the release of their first DVD of the same name. The next album Rheingold was released on 26 May 2003, which centered on the opera Der Ring des Nibelungen by Richard Wagner. They embarked on a tour in support of the album into early 2004.
The Last Supper and Ballads of a Hangman (2005–2009)
After the successful Rheingold Tour, the band recorded another album, The Last Supper, which was released on 17 January 2005. The artwork was first revealed in November 2004 which received positive feedback. A number of fans were disappointed by the artwork because of the motive. The band issued a statement saying that the cover isn't a message of the Devil and not against Christians, but a representation of a depressive Jesus Christ at his last days before his death. Unlike their previous albums, The Last Supper was not a concept album, despite several songs about the last days of Jesus. A few journalists described the album as the best since Tunes of War or Heavy Metal Breakdown. According to the band, it contains "more metal, more passion and more power" than the group's previous efforts. Less than a month later, the band began a tour with Stormhammer and Astral Doors in Andernach, the birthplace of Manni Schmidt.
October 2005 saw the release of a live DVD titled 25 to Live, which was recorded live in São Paulo, commemorating the band's 25th anniversary.
In December 2006, a number of release parties was announced for the band's follow-up album, Liberty or Death, which was released on 12 January 2007. A Double-Headline Tour together with Therion followed, beginning 17 January 2007 in Essen.
In late February 2008, Grave Digger began writing new material. In mid-August, they entered Principal studios with additional guitarist Thilo Hermann to record their 13th studio album entitled Ballads of a Hangman, which was released on 9 January 2009 under their new label Napalm Records. It was their first album with twin guitars.
In February 2009, the band parted ways with Thilo Hermann due to the built up excitement of a second guitarist and with the free space on stage and musical aspects that was observed by every old band member independently. In early October, Manni Schmidt left the band due to ongoing disagreements with Chris Boltendahl.
The Clans Will Rise Again and The Living Dead (2010–2018)
On 12 January 2010, Schmidt was replaced by Domain guitarist Axel Ritt after performing temporarily during the remaining dates of the band's previous tour. On 1 October 2010, Grave Digger released the album The Clans Will Rise Again in Europe, with a North American release following soon after. The band members explain that it is a loose sequel of the 1996 album Tunes of War, "but this time not a concept album about the Scottish history, rather a work about Scotland, its mysticism and its people." On 11 September 2011, a video for the song "Highland Farewell" was made available for streaming.
On 27 July 2012, the band released an EP entitled Home at Last with the album Clash of the Gods following on 31 August 2012. They performed a handful of shows in the UK and Europe from early to late 2012 and then toured throughout 2013 in Europe and a few shows in Brazil in support of the album.
In February 2014, the band began recording their next album titled Return of the Reaper, which was released on 11 July 2014, with later release dates elsewhere. In November 2014, keyboardist H.P. Katzenburg left the band in order to spend more time on outside projects. He was replaced by new member Marcus Kniep, who would continue performing as The Reaper.
In October 2015, Exhumation - The Early Years was released, which contains re-recorded versions of the band's "absolute classics with a dynamic and powerful sound of 2015," according to a press release.
In June 2016, Grave Digger entered the studio to begin working on their next album entitled Healed by Metal, which was released on 13 January 2017. They embarked on a tour with Blind Guardian as the support act on the second leg North American tour supporting the album Beyond the Red Mirror.
In March 2018, the band returned to the studio to record their nineteenth album The Living Dead, which was released on 14 September 2018, with a European tour taking place in January 2019. On 25 June 2018, longtime drummer Stefan Arnold departed the band. He was replaced by Marcus Kniep.
Fields of Blood (2020–present)
Grave Digger's twentieth album Fields of Blood was released on 29 May 2020, celebrating the band's 40th anniversary. The follow-up album Symbol of Eternity was released on 26 August 2022.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grave_Digger_(band)
Studio albums
Heavy Metal Breakdown (1984)
Witch Hunter (1985)
War Games (1986)
Stronger Than Ever (1986) (as Digger)
The Reaper (1993)
Heart of Darkness (1995)
Tunes of War (1996)
Knights of the Cross (1998)
Excalibur (1999)
The Grave Digger (2001)
Rheingold (2003)
The Last Supper (2005)
Liberty or Death (2007)
Ballads of a Hangman (2009)
The Clans Will Rise Again (2010)
Clash of the Gods (2012)
Return of the Reaper (2014)
Healed by Metal (2017)
The Living Dead (2018)
Fields of Blood (2020)
Symbol of Eternity (2022)
Heart of Darkness
Grave Digger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Madness lurks in every brain
Do you know what's deep in your head
Are you a genius or insane
Sometimes the borders deep in you just fall
General's gone mad in Vietnam
Became a god a lonely one
Once a soldier of great fame he was
Sometimes the other side breaks through the wall
You do your duty, just don't ask why
Kill him with a cold heart, he's damned to die
The river leads you all the way, you never stop
You fight to live another day, can't ever stop
We're fighting for freedom
We're fighting for peace
We're serving our country
We're fighting for god
You feel the madness, the jungle breeds
It all seems useless, heroic deeds
Madness creeps into your deepst core, and in your soul
[Chorus:]
In the heart of darkness
I see the fire in the eastern sky
In the heart of darkness
Soldiers fighting for a lie
Man, you're crazy, believe me, you're not god
Who's to say so, ain't we, all the same
Man, you slaughter, it's useless, what's your game
All is useless, was games, it seems insane
I observed a snail creeping on the edge of a razor blade
That's my dream, that is my nightmare
To creep on the edge of the razor blade and survive
You did your duty, the general is dead
But you paid a high price, your min's gone mad
Somehow the general had his way, a point of no retun
The memories haunt you night and day, in your soul the burn
"Heart of Darkness" by Grave Digger is a powerful song that questions the terms of madness and insanity that is present in every man's brain. The haunting lyrics of the song explores the effects of war, which not only shape the minds of soldiers but also drive them into a state of insanity. The song paints an image of soldiers in Vietnam, who were once heroes, but have now become insane and monstrous, driven by the madness that lurks within their minds. The lyrics highlight the futility of war and how it tears people apart, leaving them with deep wounds that may never heal.
The song's chorus speaks of the heart of darkness, symbolizing the depravity and evil that lies within every human being. The lyrics speak of soldiers fighting for a lie, revealing the feeling of disillusionment and emptiness that those who have fought in wars might experience. The song also depicts how war can drive people to the brink of insanity, making them do things they would never consider under normal circumstances. Ultimately, the song's message is that war destroys lives and dehumanizes soldiers, leaving them with deep scars that never fade.
Line by Line Meaning
In every man there's good and bad
Every person has both positive and negative qualities.
Madness lurks in every brain
Mental instability is present in every individual.
Do you know what's deep in your head
Are you aware of your own thoughts and emotions?
Are you a genius or insane
Is your mental state one of brilliance or madness?
Sometimes the borders deep in you just fall
Occasionally, your mental barriers are broken down.
General's gone mad in Vietnam
Military leaders have lost their sanity during wartime in Vietnam.
Became a god a lonely one
These leaders become egotistical and isolated in their power.
Once a soldier of great fame he was
The general was once a celebrated warrior.
Now killing seems all the same in wars
The act of killing becomes monotonous and difficult to differentiate in the midst of war.
Sometimes the other side breaks through the wall
Occasionally, the enemy makes a breakthrough in battle.
You do your duty, just don't ask why
Soldiers are expected to follow orders without questioning them.
Kill him with a cold heart, he's damned to die
Soldiers are instructed to eliminate their target swiftly and without remorse.
The river leads you all the way, you never stop
The journey through war is continuous and unrelenting.
You fight to live another day, can't ever stop
The struggle to survive in war is unceasing.
We're fighting for freedom
The soldiers believe they are fighting to protect their country's liberties.
We're fighting for peace
The soldiers believe they are fighting to bring peace to their country and the world.
We're serving our country
The soldiers believe they are fulfilling their patriotic duty.
We're fighting for god
The soldiers believe they are fighting on behalf of a higher power.
You feel the madness, the jungle breeds
The insanity and horror of war intensifies, particularly in a jungle environment like Vietnam.
It all seems useless, heroic deeds
The acts of bravery and sacrifice feel pointless in the midst of such devastation.
Madness creeps into your deepst core, and in your soul
Insanity penetrates one's very being and psyche.
In the heart of darkness
The intense agony and turmoil of war.
I see the fire in the eastern sky
Witnessing the destruction of war firsthand.
Soldiers fighting for a lie
The soldiers are fighting for a cause that they believe is untrue or based on deception.
Man, you're crazy, believe me, you're not god
The singer is telling the soldier that they are not invincible or divine.
Who's to say so, ain't we, all the same
The soldier retorts that everyone is flawed and no one has the right to judge them.
Man, you slaughter, it's useless, what's your game
The singer is questioning the purpose of the soldier's violent actions.
All is useless, was games, it seems insane
The soldier's actions feel pointless and illogical in the grand scheme of things.
I observed a snail creeping on the edge of a razor blade
The artist is reflecting on how delicate and precarious human life can be.
That's my dream, that is my nightmare
The singer's thoughts and fears about the fragility of life are both a dream and a nightmare.
To creep on the edge of the razor blade and survive
The ultimate goal in life is to persevere despite the danger and uncertainty.
You did your duty, the general is dead
The soldier followed orders and executed the general as requested.
But you paid a high price, your min's gone mad
The soldier's mental state has been severely damaged as a result of their experiences.
Somehow the general had his way, a point of no retun
The general's actions have led to an irreversible and devastating outcome.
The memories haunt you night and day, in your soul the burn
The trauma of war creates lasting emotional and psychological scars.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: UWE WALTER LULIS, CHRIS BOLTENDAHL, THOMAS GOETTLICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yog-Sothoth
0:00 - Tears Of Madness
2:10 - Shadowmaker
7:50 - The Grave Dancer
12:53 - Demon's Day
20:22 - Warchild
26:31 - Heart Of Darkness
38:28 - Hate
42:51 - Circle Of Witches
50:35 - Black Death
Δημήτρης Αναστασόπουλος
Best album!!!!🤘🤘🤘🤘
Joker Isaac
Thanks 🤘🤘🏻🤘🏿🤘🏼🤘🏽🤘🏾
Ricardo
Their darkest album, dark lyrics that talk about the bad that exists in ourselves, in our minds, about the bad feelings that every human being has, but that we shouldn't feed them because it will cause our own destruction, the very high ego, the hatred, the pride, the lack of empathy, love and compassion for others, the evil that war causes in everyone's minds, both victims and soldiers, it is also about depression and relief from drugs in the music Demon It's day! It's a very heavy and very well done album, one of the best on Grave Digger
Carlos Gonzalez
Grave Digger is truly one of the greatest Metal band in history!!!!!
Raw Crush
Grande álbum! Ouvi-lo em qualquer tempo soa atual.
André Castro
90's, the silver age of this band!!!
Ricardo
O Álbum mais sombrio da banda, letras sombrias que falam do mau que existe em nós mesmo, em nossas mentes, dos sentimentos ruins que todo ser humano tem, mas que não devemos alimentar-los, pois causará nossa própria destruição, o ego muito elevado, o ódio, a soberba, a falta de empatia, amor e compaixão pelo o próximo, do males que a guerra causa na cabeça de todos, tanto das vitimas quanto dos soldados, fala também de depressão e alivio nas drogas na musica Demon´s day! è um album muito pesado e muito bem feito, um dos melhores do Grave Digger
Máximos Andrade
Disco foda demais esse ! Valew mano por postar !
Brother tens como tu postar os outros ?
Simphony of Death/ The reaper/Tunes of war/ Knights of The cross
Ricardo
Muito foda, desde o the Reaper, não tem um disco ruim dessa banda, cada vez melhor!!