List of Grave Digger band members

Last updated

Grave Digger performing live in 2017. Grave Diggger - Hamburg Metal Dayz 2017 01.jpg
Grave Digger performing live in 2017.

Grave Digger is a German heavy metal band from Gladbeck. Formed in November 1980, the group was originally a trio consisting of vocalist and bassist Chris Boltendahl, guitarist Peter Masson, and drummer Lutz Schmelzer. Boltendahl remains the only constant member of the band, which currently also features bassist Jens Becker (since 1997), drummer and keyboardist Marcus "Gravey" Kniep (since 2014), and guitarist Tobias "Tobi" Kersting (since 2023).

Contents

History

Singer Chris Boltendahl formed Grave Digger in 1980. Grave Diggger - Hamburg Metal Dayz 2017 16.jpg
Singer Chris Boltendahl formed Grave Digger in 1980.

1980–1991

Grave Digger was formed in November 1980. [1] The original lineup included vocalist/bassist Chris Boltendahl, guitarist Peter Masson and drummer Lutz Schmelzer, although Schmelzer was replaced by Philip Seibel after roughly a year. [2] The band recorded its first demo during 1982, which was followed by a second with Challenger members Willi Lackman on bass and Albert Eckardt on drums in early 1983. [3] By August 1983, the group had disbanded and both Boltendahl and Masson had joined Challenger. [2] Shortly thereafter, Noise Records offered the band a record deal, leading the four members to revert to the name Grave Digger and record their debut album, Heavy Metal Breakdown . [4]

During touring in promotion of Heavy Metal Breakdown in the summer of 1984, Grave Digger parted ways with Lackman due to personal and musical differences, with Boltendahl playing bass on the EP Shoot Her Down before René "T. Bone" Teichgräber took over for shows at the end of the year. [5] After recording two tracks for the next album Witch Hunter , Teichgräber was also dismissed, with Boltendahl and Masson completing bass parts. [6] After the album was finished, the band brought in Christian "C. F." Brank as its new bassist. [7] The new lineup released War Games at the beginning of 1986, before Masson left the band that spring due to musical disagreements, leaving Boltendahl the sole remaining original member. [8] He was replaced in the summer by Uwe Lulis and the band shortened its name to Digger, releasing Stronger Than Ever before the end of the year. [8]

After their sole album received poor reviews, Digger broke up in March 1987. [9] Around December that year, Boltendahl and Lulis started touring under the name Grave Digger again, with Jochen Wiek on bass and Jochen "J. J." Börner on drums. [10] Boltendahl and Lulis briefly worked with Brank again (plus drummer Ralf Maunert) in a group called Vivian, [11] before reuniting with Börner and new bassist Rainer Bandzus in another new group, Hawaii, in January 1989. [12] Hawaii recorded a single demo titled Bottles and Four Coconuts, the tracks from which were later featured on the Grave Digger compilation The Forgotten Years. [13] Hawaii remained active until early 1991, when Boltendahl and Lulis reformed Grave Digger. [14]

1991–2009

Guitarist Uwe Lulis remained with Grave Digger when the band reformed in 1991. Uwe Lulis 2019.jpg
Guitarist Uwe Lulis remained with Grave Digger when the band reformed in 1991.

Grave Digger reformed in June 1991. [9] With bassist Tomi Göttlich and drummer Peter Breitenbach alongside Boltendahl and Lulis, the band released the demo Return of the Reaper in 1991, followed by the EP For Promotion Only!! in 1992. [15] Breitenbach was replaced by Jörg Michael in May 1993, who debuted on the band's first album since 1986, The Reaper , later that year. [9] Michael was gone after a year, switching to Running Wild, with Frank Ullrich taking his place for 1995's Heart of Darkness ; by September 1995, Ullrich had also left, with Stefan Arnold taking his place that December. [9] After the release and touring of 1996's Tunes of War , Göttlich left Grave Digger and was replaced by former Running Wild bassist Jens Becker, who debuted on Knights of the Cross . [16] 1999's Excalibur was the band's first album to credit keyboardist H. P. Katzenburg as an official band member. [17]

In November 2000, long-time guitarist Uwe Lulis left Grave Digger, with former Rage guitarist Manni Schmidt taking his place the next month. [9] Lulis subsequently formed a new group with former bandmate Tomi Göttlich, initially attempting to take over use of the name "Grave Digger", before settling on Rebellion. [18] The lineup of Boltendahl, Schmidt, Becker, Arnold and Katzenburg became the most stable in Grave Digger's history, releasing studio albums The Grave Digger , Rheingold , The Last Supper and Liberty or Death between 2001 and 2007. [19] In October 2007, the group announced the addition of former Running Wild guitarist Thilo Hermann, marking the first time in its history the band had featured two guitarists. [20] Shortly after the release of Ballads of a Hangman , however, Hermann was dismissed in February 2009. [21] Schmidt also left in October due to disagreements with Boltendahl. [22]

Since 2009

After Schmidt's departure, Grave Digger played their last shows of 2009 with substitute guitarist Axel "Ironfinger" Ritt. [23] In a statement published in January 2010, the band confirmed that Ritt was now a full-time member. [24] The Clans Will Rise Again (2010), Clash of the Gods (2012) and Return of the Reaper (2014) followed, before Katzenburg was replaced by Marcus "Gravey" Kniep in November 2014. [25] The new lineup recorded two albums — Healed by Metal and The Living Dead — before Arnold left the band in June and Kniep switched primarily to drums. [26] Back to a four-piece, Grave Digger released Fields of Blood in 2020 and Symbol of Eternity in 2022, before Ritt left in September 2023. [27] He was replaced a month later by Tobias "Tobi" Kersting. [28]

Members

Current

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Grave Digger - Wacken 2025- day 2-24 (54732127329).jpg
Chris Boltendahl
  • 1980–1983
  • 1983–1987
  • 1987–1988
  • 1989–present
  • vocals
  • bass (1980–1983, fall 1984, early 1985)
all Grave Digger releases
Grave Digger - Wacken 2025- day 2-7 (54732254655).jpg
Jens Becker 1997–presentbassall Grave Digger releases from Knights of the Cross (1998) onwards
Grave Digger - Wacken 2025- day 2-16 (54731067987).jpg
Marcus "Gravey" Kniep2014–present
  • keyboards
  • drums (since summer 2018)
all Grave Digger releases from Healed by Metal (2017) onwards
Grave Digger - Wacken 2025- day 2-13 (54731068072).jpg
Tobias "Tobi" Kersting2023–presentguitarall Grave Digger releases from "The Grave Is Yours" (2024) onwards

Former

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Peter "Speedfinger" Masson1980–1986
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
  • bass (early 1985)
all Grave Digger releases from the 1982 demo to War Games (1986)
Lutz Schmelzer1980–1981drumsnone
Philip Seibel
(died 2002)
1981–19831982 demo
Albert Eckardt1983–1987all Grave Digger releases from the Born Again demo (1983) to Stronger Than Ever (1986)
Willi Lackman
(died 2013)
1983–1984bass
René "T. Bone" Teichgräber1984–1985 Witch Hunter (1985) — two tracks only
Christian "C. F." Brank1985–1987
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • War Games (1986)
  • Stronger Than Ever (1986)
Uwe Lulis 2019.jpg
Uwe Lulis
  • 1986–1987
  • 1987–1988
  • 1989–2000
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
all Grave Digger releases from Stronger Than Ever (1986) to Excalibur (1999)
Jochen "J. J." Börner
  • 1987–1988
  • 1989–1991
drumsBottles and Four Coconuts demo (1989)
Jochen Wiek1987–1988bassnone
Rainer Bandzus1989–1991Bottle and Four Coconuts demo (1989)
Tomi Göttlich1991–1997
  • bass
  • backing vocals
all Grave Digger releases from the Return of the Reaper demo (1991) to The Dark of the Sun (1997)
Peter Breitenbach1991–1993drums
  • Return of the Reaper demo (1991)
  • For Promotion Only!! (1992)
Jorg Michael (2009).jpg
Jörg Michael 1993–1994
Frank Ullrich1994–1995 Heart of Darkness (1995)
Stefan Arnold1995–2018all Grave Digger releases from Tunes of War (1996) to The Living Dead (2018)
Hans Peter "H. P." Katzenburg1996–2014 (official member since 1999)keyboards
Manni Schmidt 2007.jpg
Manni Schmidt 2000–2009
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
all Grave Digger releases from The Grave Digger (2001) to Ballads of a Hangman (2009)
Thilo Hermann 2007–2009
  • Pray (2008)
  • Ballads of a Hangman (2009)
Grave Digger - 2023175200858 2023-06-24 Alpen Flair - Sven - 1D X MK II - 1347 - B70I9770.jpg
Axel "Ironfinger" Ritt2009–2023guitarall Grave Digger releases from The Clans Will Rise Again (2010) to Symbol of Eternity (2022)

Timeline

List of Grave Digger band members

Lineups

PeriodMembersReleases
November 1980–November 1981
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals, bass
  • Peter Masson — guitar, backing vocals
  • Lutz Schmelzer — drums
none
November 1981–August 1983
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals, bass
  • Peter Masson — guitar, backing vocals
  • Philip Seibel — drums
  • untitled 1982 demo
Early 1983
(temporary recording lineup)
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Peter Masson — guitar, backing vocals
  • Willi Lackman — bass (stand-in)
  • Albert Eckhardt — drums (stand-in)
  • Born Again demo (1983)
Band inactive August–late 1983
October 1983–summer 1984
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Peter Masson — guitar, backing vocals
  • Willi Lackman — bass
  • Albert Eckhardt — drums
Summer–fall 1984
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals, bass
  • Peter Masson — guitar, backing vocals
  • Albert Eckhardt — drums
  • Shoot Her Down (1984)
Late 1984–January 1985
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Peter Masson — guitar, backing vocals
  • René T. Bone — bass
  • Albert Eckhardt — drums
January–February 1985
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals, bass
  • Peter Masson — guitar, bass, backing vocals
  • Albert Eckhardt — drums
  • Witch Hunter (1985) — remaining tracks
  • Metal Attack, Vol. 1 (1985)
March 1985–spring 1986
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Peter Masson — guitar, backing vocals
  • C. F. Brank — bass, backing vocals
  • Albert Eckhardt — drums
Summer 1986–March 1987
(as Digger)
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Uwe Lulis — guitar, backing vocals
  • C. F. Brank — bass, backing vocals
  • Albert Eckhardt — drums
Band inactive March–December 1987
December 1987–early 1988
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Uwe Lulis — guitar, backing vocals
  • Jochen Wiek — bass
  • J. J. Börner — drums
none
Band inactive early 1988–January 1989
January 1989–early 1991
(as Hawaii)
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Uwe Lulis — guitar, backing vocals
  • Rainer Bandzus — bass
  • Jochen Börner — drums
  • Bottles and Four Coconuts demo (1989)
June 1991–May 1993
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Uwe Lulis — guitar, backing vocals
  • Tomi Gottlich — bass, backing vocals
  • Peter Breitenbach — drums
  • Return of the Reaper demo (1991)
  • For Promotion Only!! (1992)
May 1993–May 1994
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Uwe Lulis — guitar, backing vocals
  • Tomi Gottlich — bass, backing vocals
  • Jörg Michael — drums
May 1994–September 1995
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Uwe Lulis — guitar, backing vocals
  • Tomi Gottlich — bass, backing vocals
  • Frank Ullrich — drums
December 1995–late 1997
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Uwe Lulis — guitar, backing vocals
  • Tomi Gottlich — bass, backing vocals
  • Stefan Arnold — drums
  • H. P. Katzenburg — keyboards(from 1996)
Late 1997–November 2000
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Uwe Lulis — guitar, backing vocals
  • Jens Becker — bass
  • Stefan Arnold — drums
  • H. P. Katzenburg — keyboards
December 2000–October 2007
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Manni Schmidt — guitar, backing vocals
  • Jens Becker — bass
  • Stefan Arnold — drums
  • H. P. Katzenburg — keyboards
October 2007–February 2009
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Manni Schmidt — guitar, backing vocals
  • Thilo Hermann — guitar, backing vocals
  • Jens Becker — bass
  • Stefan Arnold — drums
  • H. P. Katzenburg — keyboards
February–October 2009
  • Chris Boltendahl — lead vocals
  • Manni Schmidt — guitar, backing vocals
  • Jens Becker — bass
  • Stefan Arnold — drums
  • H. P. Katzenburg — keyboards
none
November 2009–November 2014
  • Chris Boltendahl — vocals
  • Axel Ritt — guitar
  • Jens Becker — bass
  • Stefan Arnold — drums
  • H. P. Katzenburg — keyboards
November 2014–June 2018
  • Chris Boltendahl — vocals
  • Axel Ritt — guitar
  • Jens Becker — bass
  • Stefan Arnold — drums
  • Marcus Kniep — keyboards
June 2018–September 2023
  • Chris Boltendahl — vocals
  • Axel Ritt — guitar
  • Jens Becker — bass
  • Marcus Kniep — drums, keyboards
October 2023–present
  • Chris Boltendahl — vocals
  • Tobias Kersting — guitar
  • Jens Becker — bass
  • Marcus Kniep — drums, keyboards
  • "The Grave Is Yours" (2024)
  • "Hell Is My Purgatory" (2024)
  • Bone Collector (2025)
  • "Hellfire Crusade" (2025)
  • "Bark to Hell" (2025)

References

  1. Twisted Sister Mike (1984). "Heavy Metal Breakdown: Grave Digger" (Scan). Rock Hard (in German). No. 6. p. 17. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 Hartmann, Ralf (1984). "Heavy Metal Breakdown: Grave Digger" (Scan). Speed Attack (in German). No. 1. p. 5. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  3. "The German Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Guide: Search "Challenger"". The Corroseum. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  4. Meinel, Frank (1984). "Grave Digger" (Scan). Shock Power (in German). No. 5. p. 11. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  5. "Grave Digger" (Scan). Tormentor (in German). No. 2. March 1985. pp. 41–42. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  6. Meese, Stephan (1985). "Grave Digger: "Witch Hunter"" (Scan). Blitzkrieg (in German). No. 3. p. 26. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  7. "Killer/Vengeance/Grave Digger (Zottegem, April 6)" (Scan). Metallised (in Dutch). No. 1. 1985. p. 28. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Digger" (Scan). Metal Guardians. No. 2. February 1987. p. 20. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Grave Digger Story". Grave Digger. Archived from the original on 3 March 2001. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  10. "The German Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Guide: Search "Digger"". The Corroseum. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  11. "The German Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Guide: Search "Vivian"". The Corroseum. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  12. "The German Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Guide: Search "Hawaii"". The Corroseum. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  13. "Grave Digger and the Hawaii years". Markus' Heavy Music Blog. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  14. Diamond Oz (19 March 2017). "Sunday Old School: Grave Digger". Metal-Underground.com. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  15. Van Grunsven, MetalWim (8 March 2024). "Grave Digger – The Forgotten Years". Metal Temple. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  16. "Grave Digger – Knights of the Cross". Metal Rules. June 1998. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  17. Excalibur (Media notes). Grave Digger. GUN Records. 1999. Retrieved 12 August 2025.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. Chronis, Grigoris (29 July 2009). "Rebellion — The Clans Are Marching EP". Metal Temple. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  19. Monger, James Christopher. "Grave Digger Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  20. "Grave Digger Enlist Former Running Wild/Risk Guitarist". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles . 9 October 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  21. "Grave Digger Parts Ways With Guitarist". Blabbermouth.net . 22 February 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  22. "Grave Digger Parts Ways With Guitarist Manni Schmidt". Blabbermouth.net . 8 October 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  23. "Former Grave Digger Guitarist Discusses His Departure". Blabbermouth.net . 5 November 2009. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  24. "Grave Digger Welcomes New Guitarist Axel Ritt". Metal-Underground.com. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  25. "Grave Digger on Facebook". Ghost Archive. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  26. Michels, Alexandra (25 June 2018). "Grave Digger: Marcus Kniep ersetzt Stefan Arnold". RockHard (in German). Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  27. "Grave Digger Part Ways With Guitarist Axel Ritt". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles . 10 September 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  28. Pappas, George (19 October 2023). "Germany Heavy Metal icons Grave Digger present us their new guitarist!". Metalwar.gr. Retrieved 12 August 2025.