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Review: Grave Digger - The Clans Will Rise Again
Grave Digger
www.grave-digger-clan.com
The Clans Will Rise Again

Label: Napalm Records
Year released: 2010
Duration: 53:40
Tracks: 13
Genre: Heavy/Power Metal

Rating:
4/5


Review online: October 5, 2010
Reviewed by: MetalMike
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 4.31/5 (86.12%) (49 Votes)
Review

The Clans Will Rise Again is a rollicking, ass-kicking collection of down-and-dirty German style Power Metal from stalwarts Grave Digger. It's hard to believe they've been around since at least 1984's debut, Heavy Metal Breakdown (which I have on vinyl around here somewhere...), cranking out catchy, crunchy album after album. Consistency, thy name is Grave Digger.

The Clans Will Rise Again finds lone original band member Chris MacBoltendahl and his merry band of Highlanders (by way of Germany) treading through the Scottish heather singing songs of battle, glory and loss. While the production is definitely modern, the sound is pure 80s Power Metal. The only keyboards are the ones used to simulate the sounds of bagpipes. Nope, it's all loud, aggressive guitars with copious double kicks and furious bass work that will have your fist in the air. After the obligatory intro (bagpipes, naturally) "Paid in Blood" sets the mood with its speed and a chorus you are guaranteed to be singing along to by the second time it comes around. The rest of the album follows suit and it isn't until "Whom the Gods Love," a cool song that, unfortunately, overstays its welcome by a minute or two, that The Clans Will Rise Again starts to flag a bit. The album ends with the lackluster "Spider," another brief bagpipe instrumental and the decent, but not great, "When Rain Turns to Blood." These last few songs aren't all that bad, but don't live up to everything that came before. Not counting the two instrumentals, that gives you eight great tracks and three OK tracks. Overall, an excellent haul, by any standards.

Boltendahl's gravelly vocals may not appeal to everyone, but give them a chance and they'll sink in. Fans of 80s Heavy Metal as well as modern Power Metal should all enjoy The Clans Will Rise Again. Recommended.

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