Rheingold - Grave Digger

Returning to concept album territory, Germany's Grave Digger bring out the orchestral pomp more than ever before, making 2003's 'Rheingold' a particularly impressive and distinctive release from the band. While it isn't quite as symphonically epic as Wagner's original Ring cycle, it's a fine heavy metal tribute, and my favourite album from the ever-consistent Grave Digger. The epic sound isn't only achieved by the use of orchestra to enhance certain sections, most evident in the opening overture, but also in the supplementary choir vocals hidden behind most of the choruses. This works excellently against Chris Boltendahl's maniacally shrieking vocals, while ...  Read the complete review