'Still Diggin' The Right Tune!'

In 1984, Grave Digger released its classic Heavy Metal Breakdown debut. Since then, it has become one of Germany’s leading headbang machines.

Founding member Chris Boltendahl has set a vocal standard, even penning an auto-biography. Like their friends in Helloween, Running Wild, Sinner and Destruction, Grave Digger has sculpted its own sound and its own vision to become a model of consistency, living proof of the “Made In Germany” stamp of Metal.

Recorded live in 2005 at shows in Brazil, 25 To Live spotlights tracks from such stellar Grave Digger albums as Heart Of Darkness, Tunes Of War, Knights Of The Cross, Excaliber, The Grave Digger, Rheingold and The Last Supper.

Chatting recently with founding member Chris Boltendahl, and noting that since releasing their debut back in 1984 that they have quickly become one of Germany's leading headbang machines, I first wondered what had enabled this to happen within the band and its music ...? "THE BAND IS NOW 25 YEARS OLD AND WE ARE SO PROUD ON OUR MUSIC. ITS FROM HEART AND SOUL AND ITS HONEST METAL WE GIVE THE FANS TRUE MUSIC OF METAL."

... and just what exactly is a 'headbang machine'?! "IT'S A MACHINE WHICH MAKES YOU HEADBANGING!"

For the Average Joe who may not have heard of you and was thinking of buying your new '25 to Live' CD, how would you yourself describe your sound and what they are to expect? "WE ARE TRUE METAL OF GERMANY THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WITHJ TRUE AND HONEST FANS THE BEST IN THE WORLD. BY THE WAY WHO IS JOE?!"

Does your new album title '25 To Live' perhaps originate from a more personal standpoint for you? "FOR ME IT'S A LONG TIME TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS AND FANS AND IM SO PROUD ON IT TO HAVE THIS LIFE WITH METAL FANS."

And just where does the band name originate anyway and just what else could it so easily have been called? "IT'S FROM A DICTONARY AND IT'S A GREAT NAME IM SO PROUD ON THIS NAME AND TO BE A DIGGER."

If there was one track on '25 To Live' that truly encapsulated Grave Digger at their live musical and lyrical finest, which one would it be? "'HEAVY METAL BREAKDOWN'."

Please tell us how - and not more than halfway through your life - you still managed to write your own auto-biography?! "I LIKE TO TELL THE PEOPLE HOW PROUD I'M ON THIS GREAT CAREER WITH GRAVE DIGGER AND MY LIFE WITH ALL THE FANS AND FRIENDS."

Knowing that this new album was recorded live in 2005 at shows in Brazil, I'm wondering what turned out to be the pros and cons of such a recording situation? "GREAT FANS IN BRASIL. THE BEST IN THE WORLD AND THERE ARE NO NEGATIVE ASCPECTS."

Just for fun, and taking the titles of a few of your album tracks, please let us know:
'The Last Supper' - OK, if you knew that you were to have your very own last supper on this mortal coil, what would it be?! "BURGER IN NEW YORK."

'The Grave Dancer' - Have you ever danced in a graveyard ... in fact, have you ever done anything in a graveyard?! "NO I ONLY STEAL SOME COPSES FROM THE GRAVEYARD TO HAVE SEX WITH THEM IN MY KITCHEN ... AND WITH THE DOG TOO!"

'The Curse of Jacques' - Looking back, do you think that you've been cursed by anything that still seems to follow you around today?! "I'M CURSED BY THIS INTERVIEW!!"

What '80s (and possibly cheesy!) euro pop/rock song would you love to cover today if asked ... and why?! "'TAINTED LOVE'."

Lastly, I like Penguins ... do you?! "I HATE AND EAT THEM!"

Interviewed by Russell A. Trunk

If you would like to win an AUTOGRAPHED copy of Grave Diggers' new CD, just answer this easy question: Founding member Chris Boltendahl has set a vocal standard, even penning an auto-biography, 'Grave Digger: ...........' But what are the three missing words?!

Send me your answers and if you're correct you'll be in the running to win one of these great new and AUTOGRAPHED CDs! Just send us an e:mail here before September 15th with your answer and the subject title 'GRAVE DIGGER SIGNED CDs' to: exclusivemagazine@flash.net