Welcome to the genesis of The Metal University! This class is the introduction to the greatest genre of music ever: Heavy Metal. The goal of this class is to provide the student a list of bands whose albums will give them a basic understanding of Heavy Metal. This class was designed for the uninitiated in mind, and covers what can be considered the basics and classics. This is not meant as a definitive guide to Heavy Metal, but a starting point on a grand, epic journey. This is only the beginning!

Introduction to Heavy Metal - Grave Digger

Quite possibly the most under-rated Metal band ever, Grave Digger have been exhuming molten greatness since 1984! Vocalist Chris Boltendahl has been the only constant in this enduring band, but the overall sound has wavered little in spite of the numerous lineup changes throughout over twenty albums. The unique bassy, gargling vocal stylings may not be for everyone, but one shouldn’t deny this German powerhouse that digs on at breakneck speed, releasing new material practically every other year.

Your listening assignment…

Heavy Metal Breakdown

The first grave dug! Firmly rooted in the tradition of Judas Priest and Accept with a touch of Motörhead, this album unleashes a Heavy Metal breakdown of riffs, speed, and even ballads! It may not be their best, but it contains a couple classic tunes and a blueprint for what would follow.

War Games

A step up in production, the speedy riffs carry more power for declaring war. By this album, the Grave Digger sound was solidified and being perfected. At least, that was likely the thought process until the band broke up after this album. With hearts breaking, heads rolling, and bombs dropping, it seemed the reaper had come for Grave Digger.

The Reaper

Almost a decade later, Grave Digger fight the fight of Metal greatness in the midst of grunge. Bearing many similarities to the original sound, the reaper returned with another improvement in production, more powerful riffs, and better songs. Guitarist Uwe Lulis was nearly a monster truck for the Grave Digger tone, which persists to this day despite his absence.

Return of the Reaper

That tone I just wrote of? It’s still here two decades later calling back to the return to form. Riffs, speed, sing-along choruses, and the ever-guttural vocals are killing, desecrating, and digging thirty years removed from their debut. A band has to be doing something right to last over thirty years, right? Some may wonder if Grave Digger are Power Metal, Speed Metal, or Heavy Metal? The answer is this: Grave Digger are great and belong in every headbanging man & woman’s catalogue.

Grave Digger Family Tree