GRAVEDIGGER has been serving Gladbeck, Germany proud for longer than many readers of this review have been alive. On January 17, 2025, they released their 22^nd full-length album, Bone Collector, via RPM-Roar. It’s a casket full of bone-cold metal. Nothing too groundbreaking, but when you’ve been playing at the heavy metal table for 45 years, consistency trumps innovation. And have no doubt, Bone Collector is 46 minutes and 39 seconds of furious metal.

When you are closing in on the 50-year mark in the metal scene and you also happen to be from Germany, how do you trench any deeper? Well, for one, you can ditch the keyboards. GRAVE DIGGER has opted to go sans keyboards on this go round. Metal purists will rejoice . . . but, honestly, I really didn’t notice until I read the promo material. For me, keyboards can be annoying when doing anything except providing atmosphere and when they aren’t there, well, it mostly goes unnoticed. Let the debate begin.

Riff after bloody riff, Bone Collector is relentless and undeviating. Leading the assault is new axeman Tobias Kersting (Chris Boltendahl's STEELHAMMER, ex-ORDEN OGAN). And if you’re worried that the lineup change might warp the band’s integrity, the latest iteration sounds more like old school GRAVE DIGGER than ever.

The album starts off strong with the title track, “Bone Collector,” a thrashy pace setter followed up with “The Rich, The Poor, The Dying,” another speed ripper. For heavy metal enthusiasts, “Graveyard Kings,” “Killing is my Pleasure,” and “The Devil’s Serenade” are sure to please. For those more of a doom ilk, there are “Riders of Doom” and “Whispers of the Damned.” With 11 tracks, there’s plenty for everyone so long as you like it fast, hard and loud.   

GRAVE DIGGER shows no sign of checking out, slowing down, or sitting the fuck down. Bone Collector is like a middle finger to the grim reaper—This beast isn’t going down without a fight. A must buy for heavy metal fans the world over.