![]() ![]() To mark the occasion, they performed at a sell-out concert at the Zeche in Bochum. In 2000, Grave Digger celebrated their 20th anniversary. The Grave Digger and Rheingold (2000–2004) Shortly after, a tour soon followed through with keyboardist Hans-Peter Katzenburg, who later became a permanent band member. This album explored the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The final part of the trilogy finished in 1999 with Excalibur. The second album, Knights of the Cross, with Jens Becker as bass guitarist, was released in 1998 and was about the rise and fall of the Knights Templar. This album was the first part of the Middle Ages Trilogy. This year also marked the release of the concept album Tunes of War, which dealt with the history of Scotland. In 1996, Stefan Arnold became the band's new drummer. It was a very dark album with many influences from the early works of Annihilator. In 1995, the album Heart of Darkness appeared. In the interim, Grave Digger, now with a new drummer, Frank Ullrich, toured Germany, playing as the warm-up act for Manowar. It represented a quasi Best-of-Album of their earlier songs.Īn EP titled Symphony of Death followed in 1994. ![]() In the same year, the album The Best of the Eighties was released. This album was a return to the true roots of Grave Digger. Boltendahl and Lulis, along with two newcomers, Tomi Göttlich and Jörg Michael, who had been the drummer for Rage and Running Wild, released a comeback record called The Reaper in 1993. In 1991, the band was partially reformed. Reformation and Middle Ages Trilogy (1991–1999) As a result, Boltendahl declared at the end of 1987, the breakup of the band. The album flopped, as it was not accepted by fans or the masses. Thereafter, Peter Masson gave way to Uwe Lulis in 1987 the band's name was changed to Digger, the name under which they released the album Stronger Than Ever. To promote this album, a triple headline tour with Celtic Frost and Helloween followed. Further festival appearances followed, a tour with Helloween as special guest and, finally, their third album War Games in January 1986. Only after the album was completed, a replacement on bass was found in the form of C.F. In 1985, with Lackmann having left the band, they recorded and released their second album Witch Hunter. A year later, Grave Digger, now comprising Chris Boltendahl (vocals), Peter Masson (guitar), Willi Lackmann (bass) and Albert Eckardt (drums), released their debut album Heavy Metal Breakdown. Band history Early years and split (1980–1987) Īfter various appearances at small festivals, the band recorded two songs for the compilation album Rock from Hell in 1983. Emerging from the early-to-mid 1980s heavy metal scene of their native country, Grave Digger has been referred to as one of the so-called "big four" of German power metal, along with Helloween, Rage and Running Wild. ![]() Grave Digger is a German heavy metal band that was first formed in 1980 by Chris Boltendahl and Peter Masson. Napalm, Nuclear Blast, Noise, Locomotive, Rock of Angels I wish the band all the success in the future. I will absolutely miss sharing the stage with you. I want to thank Billy, Jimmy, James, and Jack for being both wonderful bandmates and even better friends. Although it was a very difficult decision to make, I’ve decided to leave the band to make some space to explore a slightly different path. The amount of incredible memories created over the last 16 years with the band are almost too numerous to quantify. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. Being a huge fan of the band, the audition was something I threw myself into. I was at UCLA working on my doctorate in comparative literature when a close friend messaged me and said The Smashing Pumpkins were looking for a guitar player. The opportunity seemed to have come out of nowhere. “It’s easy to say now that when I joined The Smashing Pumpkins in 2007 I had no idea what I was getting into. A post shared by The Smashing Pumpkins Jeff Schroeder’s official departing statement below:
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