Artist profile · 05/07/2026
Grave Digger
- 17
- Albums on Vinyles.com
- 260k
- Last.fm listeners
- 9M
- Last.fm plays
About
Grave Digger, Four decades of German heavy metal, from Gladbeck's roots to powerful concepts.
Grave Digger began in the early 1980s with members Chris Boltendahl, Peter Masson, Willi Lackmann, and Albert Eckardt. Their debut album Heavy Metal Breakdown was released in 1984, followed by Witch Hunter in 1985 and War Games in 1986, reflecting a shift toward a broader sound. After a brief disbandment in 1987, the band reformed in 1991 and released The Reaper, marking a return to their metal roots. Throughout their career, Grave Digger has developed a trilogy of medieval-themed concept albums: Tunes of War (1996), Knights of the Cross (1998), and Excalibur (1999). Their work continues with recent releases such as Liberty Or Death (2007), The Last Supper (2005), and the upcoming Bone Collector slated for 2025.
The band’s vinyl editions include numerous limited editions, picture…
Discography
Grave Digger discography
Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.
Stronger Than Ever
Grave Digger
- Vinyl
- CD
- Cassette
Tunes of War
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 4
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Knights of the Cross
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 3
- CD 3
- Cassette 1
Tunes of Wacken: Live
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 2
- CD 1
- Cassette
25 to Live
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 1
- CD 2
- Cassette
Ballads of a Hangman
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 3
- CD 2
- Cassette
The Clans Will Rise Again
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 4
- CD 3
- Cassette
The Clans Are Still Marching
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 2
- CD 1
- Cassette
Clash of the Gods
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 4
- CD 4
- Cassette
Return of the Reaper
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 5
- CD 6
- Cassette
Exhumation (The Early Years)
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 3
- CD 2
- Cassette
Healed by Metal
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 4
- CD 2
- Cassette
The Living Dead
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 3
- CD 4
- Cassette
Fields of Blood
Grave Digger
- Vinyl 5
- CD 2
- Cassette
Data provided by Discogs
Listen
Signature songs
- 01
Rebellion (The Clans Are Marching) - 02Excalibur
- 03Heavy Metal Breakdown
- 04Pendragon
- 05The Dark of the Sun
- 06The Ballad Of Mary (Queen Of Scots)
- 07
ValhallaRheingold · 2003 - 08Rebellion (The Clans Are Marching) - Remastered Version
Essentials
3 Grave Digger albums you need to own
Our picks, approved by the editors.
#1 · 2025The latest studio album offering 11 tracks, including title piece Bone Collector, showing the band's continued evolution.
11 tracksLimited edition LPReleased 2025Rock Of Angels Records
#2 · 2007A key album with 11 tracks blending traditional metal with intense themes, available in multiple vinyl editions.
11 tracksLP albumReleased 2007Locomotive Records
#3 · 2005Concept-album-like work featuring 12 tracks infused with themes of good and evil, released in several vinyl variants.
12 tracksLimited edition picture discReleased 2005Nuclear Blast
Go further
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Artists who share part of Grave Digger's musical DNA.
B-side
B-side: the hidden stories of Grave Digger
Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.
Heavy Metal Breakdown Released in 1984
Grave Digger's debut album Heavy Metal Breakdown came out in 1984 on the Noise label, establishing their classic speed metal sound with long-lasting impact.
Tunes Of War - 1996 Concept Album
Tunes Of War (1996) marked Grave Digger's first epic concept album about Scottish history, the start of a medieval trilogy completed by Knights Of The Cross (1998) and Excalibur (1999).
Band Reformation & The Reaper - 1991
In 1991, after a split, Chris Boltendahl and Uwe Lulis reformed Grave Digger and released The Reaper, signifying a return to their roots in traditional heavy metal.
The Last Supper's Good vs Evil Theme
The Last Supper, released in 2005, features 12 tracks exploring opposition between good and evil, mixing passion with a raw thrash-metal sound on a Nuclear Blast LP.
Grave Digger will keep shaking their fans' souls for at least seven more years.— Chris Boltendahl
Grave Digger vinyl discography
See allPre-order Pre-order Heart Of Darkness
Grave Digger
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2026-04-24Sony Music CatalogFrom$36.79
2 offersSymphony Of Death
Grave Digger
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2026-04-24Sony Music CatalogFrom$28.31
1 offerBone Collector
Grave Digger
Hard Rock / Heavy MetalMétal
2025-01-17REIGNING PHOENIX MUSICFrom$35.98
1 offerWitch Hunter
Grave Digger
Death / Doom / Thrash / Speed MetalMétal
2024-10-25BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENTFrom$51.57
1 offerThe Last Supper
Grave Digger
Death / Doom / Thrash / Speed MetalMétal
2023-05-26METALVILLEFrom$25.98
2 offersSymbol Of Eternity
Grave Digger
Death / Doom / Thrash / Speed MetalMétal
2022-08-26Rock Of Angels RecordsFrom$92.99
1 offerThe Grave Digger
Grave Digger
Death / Doom / Thrash / Speed MetalMétal
2022-07-22METALVILLEFrom$22.99
2 offersLiberty or Death
Grave Digger
Death / Doom / Thrash / Speed MetalMétal
2021-06-18METALVILLEFrom$23.99
1 offerThe Last Supper
Grave Digger
Death / Doom / Thrash / Speed MetalMétal
2021-06-18METALVILLEFrom$32.58
1 offer
Grave Digger CDs
See allNew Let your heads roll - The very best of the Noise years 1984-1987
Grave Digger
Death / Doom / Thrash / Speed MetalMétal
2024-10-25BMG
Recommended accessories
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$21.99
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$21.99
View on Amazon
FAQ
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
When was Grave Digger formed and where are they from?
Grave Digger was formed in 1980 in Gladbeck, Germany, emerging as a notable band in the heavy metal scene.
What are some notable vinyl releases by Grave Digger?
Key vinyl releases include Heavy Metal Breakdown (1984), Liberty Or Death (2007), The Last Supper (2005), and Bone Collector (2025).
Which Grave Digger album began their medieval-themed concept trilogy?
Tunes Of War, released in 1996, started their trilogy focusing on historic and medieval themes.
What formats and editions have Grave Digger's vinyl albums appeared in?
Their vinyl editions include standard LPs, limited editions, picture discs, and repressings, often with collectible packaging.
What themes do Grave Digger's lyrics and albums often explore?
The band frequently explores historical battles, medieval legends, and concepts of good versus evil across their albums.
Are Grave Digger's records available on vinyl in France?
Yes, many Grave Digger vinyl albums are available in European countries including France, often through specialized labels or distributors.
How does Grave Digger's music relate to other German metal bands?
They are part of a strong German metal tradition alongside bands like Running Wild, Rage, and Primal Fear.
What is the price range for Grave Digger vinyl records today?
Prices for Grave Digger vinyl range from under 20 euros for common editions to over 300 euros for rarer limited pressings.
Transparency
Sources & method
This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.
Our method
- Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
- Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
- Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
- Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
- Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.