Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Grave Digger
Label: Nuclear Blast
Release: 2005
Running time: 145:27
Rating: 4/5
At last, it’s here! The first real live document from the “gravediggers”. Real in the sense of a proper headliner show, running well over two hours, with a proper set list that takes in every single one of Grave Digger’s studio albums and even finds room for the prehistoric Shoot Her Down. All in all, a whopping 27 songs! The set leans most heavily on tracks from the current studio album “The Last Supper”, while the other records are represented in smaller but roughly equal shares. This concert in Sao Paolo was also filmed, and “25 to Live” is available as a DVD too. As the title says, in 2005 Grave Digger celebrated their 25th birthday. And they rounded off the celebration in great style. In front of a hot-blooded South American crowd that more than generously rewarded the band with its fervor and heavy metal religion.
“25 To Live” is packed with all the band’s trademarks. Manni Schmidt’s white-hot sawing, filling a huge amount of sonic space with just a single guitar. Manni Schmidt is phenomenal at what he does! Raw, aggressive, wildly playful in his solos. The guitar spits out the true Grave Digger sound. And of course the indispensable vocals of Chris Boltendahl are with us, in great spirits behind the mic, and his unique, rasping “gravedigger” growl shines across the board. The rhythm section is as cannon-fueled as ever and once again delivers a heaping dose of seismic blows that hit with devastating force, just as proper Teutonic heavy metal should! The keyboards now play a noticeable role even in the older songs (pre-“Knights Of The Cross”), which gives those tracks some extra charm! And as I already mentioned, the relentless fanaticism of the Brazilian fans adds the dot on the “i” to the whole picture.
The double live disc has turned out a fascinating creation that will make every fan of the band happy. Given what is essentially a “best of” set list, this double live album is actually a great starting point for anyone who sympathizes with Grave Digger and wants to begin their journey into the band’s world. Grave Digger, who are more than obviously at the peak of their powers, sound maximally metal on it. That’s why this album, which had been planned in this form for at least a good five years, still came out at just the right time despite the delay! So Grave Digger serve up their real metal from the first beat to the last of this live document. It’s an enraged attack on their very essence. In all its untamed and therefore truly authentic metal form! Join the devil’s party!
Line-up
Chris Boltendahl – vocals
Manni Schmidt – guitar
H.P. Katzenburg – keyboards
Jens Becker – bass guitar
Stefan Arnold – drums
Production
Chris Boltendahl & Grave Digger
Track list
CD 1.:
1. Passion (Intro)
2. The Last Supper
3. Desert Rose
4. The Grave Dancer
5. Shoot Her Down
6. The Reaper
7. Paradise
8. Excalibur
9. The House
10. Circle Of Witches
11. Valhalla
12. Son Of Evil
13. The Battle Of Bannockburn
14. The Curse Of Jacques
CD 2.:
1. Grave In The No Man’s Land
2. Yesterday
3. Morgane Lefay
4. Symphony Of Death
5. Witchhunter
6. The Dark Of The Sun
7. Knights Of The Cross
8. Twilight Of The Gods
9. The Grave Digger
10. Rebellion
11. Rheingold
12. The Round Table
13. Heavy Metal Breakdown
