“Ballads” is the 14th studio release (and another concept album), from these German speed/power metal legends. After many…many moons of recording Grave Digger adds a second guitarist, Thilo Herrmann, who once played with fellow countrymen Running Wild (he appeared on my favorites albums; “Black Hand Inn”, “Masquerade” and “The Rivalry” from 1998). Now while Manni Schmidt has been part of the Grave Digger family since the outstanding album “The Grave Digger” in 2001 and no slouch in the riff department, with the addition of Thilo there is feeling of inspiration and being reenergized to these guitars, especially in the leads and twin harmonies.

In traditional Grave Digger fashion the album’s title track opens aggressively with fast riffs and rhythm section letting everyone know they still mean business. A nice example of the spark I spoke of is in the main riff and leads to “Hell of Disillusion” and the swinging chainsaw guitars that kick off the excellent head bobber “Grave of the Addicted”. Really, these riffs are nothing new for Grave Digger but having two guitarists feed off each other does help during the creative process and you can hear it on this album.
For something different (well not for heavy metal music at least in recent years), “Lonely the Innocence Dies” features a duet between the course unique voice of Grave Digger’s Chris (Boltendahl) and Veronica from newcomers Benedictum. I am so over the duet thing but this works and a nice change for Grave Digger. Veronica has a bit of Doro in her masculine yet feminine tone and she is a nice compliment to Chris’ harshness for the chorus. “Into the War”, and “Stormrider” barrel along with an old school 80s gallop embracing such a classic Grave Digger riff and rhythm pattern it takes you right back to the band’s 1984 debut “Heavy Metal Breakdown”.
“The Shadow of Your Soul” slams into gear by trying out new ideas in the riffing department, and soloing for Grave Digger (I’m thinking no doubt was written by Thilo?), escorting unfortunate victims to the gallows pole in this latest tale. Good stuff with a little pizzazz for long time listeners like myself. Also, “Funeral for a Fallen Angel” utilizes some strummed acoustic guitars that have a Middle Eastern feel, something I don’t think I have ever heard Grave Digger use in their music (at least in this fashion). I really like the single “Pray” which has a great melody and twin guitars. Bonus track, “Jailbreak”, is a meaty cover of the Thin Lizzy classic and true to the original.
With a new addition to the family I am a bit excited for Grave Digger’s future even thought the band has already been making music for 25 years, yes that’s right 25 years. I know, you’d think the formula has become dull by this point but who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. O…and the cover and booklet artwork is definitely one of their best!