After many historically based concept albums, Grave Digger return to their roots and albums like “The Reaper”, Heart of Darkness”, and “The Grave Digger”, with a collection of songs based on dark fiction and horror, and of course the Reaper.

The title track is a short funeral hymn signaling the return of death on his horse and carriage. ‘Hell Funeral’, and ‘Wargod’, aggressively provide the fury and fires from hell to fuel the reapers travels throughout the ten tracks. Both good songs, and Grave Digger do always have a couple in this style on every album. But, for the return of this side to Grave Digger’s music, as they say the proof is in the pudding. ‘Tattooed Rider’, ‘Grave Desecrator’, and ‘Dia De Los Muertos’ (love the cow bell) all three carry a fun catchy melody, crunchy riff, pounding and punchy drum beat, and rumbling bass, that are well constructed, infectious and singable. ‘Season of The Witch’ again utilizes this dark slow moving Sabbathy wicked riff (reminds me of ‘Clash of the Gods’, or ‘Last Supper’). I can hear this song in a medley live with ‘Witchhunter’ and ‘Circle of Witches’. Wow, that is a fitting sad piano in ‘Nothing Left To Lose’, the orchestration is nice for the chorus, and what a way to close out the album for the reapers return.

I want more for the next album. Getting out of the concept format has freed up the creative juices.