Inspired return to the band's beloved Scottish Highlands - A review of Grave Digger's Fields of Blood

Twenty-four years after the band's most popular output Tunes of War and ten years after its spiritual successor The Clans Will Rise Again, German heavy metal veterans Grave Digger conclude their Scottish trilogy with the very good new output Fields of Blood. This album has the same trademarks as the other two releases with melodic heavy metal guitar play, vibrant rhythm section, expressive vocals, historically inspired lyrics and an appropriate use of bagpipes, choirs and keyboards to evoke an epic atmosphere. Instead of sounding tedious, repetitive and predictable, the twelve new songs are performed with conviction, creativity and energy and offer fifty-four minutes of excellent heavy metal entertainment.

Several elements stand out very positively. First of all, this release is more melodic, epic and memorable than the immediate predecessors which is a welcome change. The outstanding ballad ''Thousand Tears'' featuring guest singer Noora Louhimo of Battle Beast fame in her best career performance so far is a spiritual successor of ''The Ballad of Mary (Queen of Scots)'' twenty-four years ago and convinces with heartfelt vocals and excellent guitar play. Title track ''Fields of Blood'' cracks the ten-minute mark and is the band's second longest tune ever. The song features sound effects, radio play passages, majestic bagpipe melodies, traditional heavy metal trademarks and detailed lyrics that keep entertaining through the song's ambitious running time. This album also features many truly catchy songs with the highlight being the energizing ''Lions of the Sea'' with its melodic chorus and powerful choirs.

The exotic instruments are used with care throughout the album. While they were only used in a handful of a song on previous records, they are a recurring device on Fields of Blood. This starts with the cinematic opening instrumental ''The Clansman's Journey'' that brings the listeners spiritually back to the band's beloved Scottish Highlands, continues in the soulful power ballad ''Thousand Tears'' and culminates in the almost progressive title track and album highlight ''Fields of Blood''.

Another element that stands out is the excellent guitar play by Alex Ritt. Fields of Blood might be his finest hour yet because he can really push his boundaries here. Harmonious acoustic guitar passages meet energetic heavy and power metal riffs as well as unchained guitar solos that combines passion and skills. Every song except for the instrumental opener and closer showcase absolutely outstanding guitar play that should please any fan of heavy and power metal.

In the end, Grave Digger is still going strong forty years into its career and combines past trademarks with fresh ideas on the very good Fields of Blood. This album grows with every spin thanks to its cohesive style that is best enjoyed from start to finish. This is easily the band's greatest hour since Clash of the Gods eight years ago. If you have lost track of the band's career and wonder whether the four Germans can still live up to their classic material from the mid-nineties, give this album a few spins and you might be very positively surprised.

Final rating: 84%