The Median Man spoke with Axel Ritt of Grave Digger earlier this week about the band’s history and the new album.
The Median Man spoke with Axel Ritt of Grave Digger earlier this week about the band’s history and the new album.
BRAVEHEART
You’ve had a few albums which have explored various themes such as the Middle Ages, Scotland and King Arthur, what’s been the thinking behind exploring those themes and have they been as rewarding as doing a straight ahead metal album?
These albums have been the most successful albums of the band, that’s why they have been recorded this way 😉 It started with Tunes Of War, which got tailwind by the fact, that the movie Braveheart with Mel Gibson got into the movie theatres that year as well.
How much research do you do before committing yourself to writing an album like Fields of Blood or Tunes of War, and how does that impact the writing process?
A lot. Chris (Boltendahl, vocalist) is responsible for the lyrics, so he takes care of the research process, by visiting the country and getting as much impressions as possible. I’m responsible for the music and the single instrumental parts, so I’m not active on that side of the production.
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
How much research do you do before committing yourself to writing an album like Fields of Blood or Tunes of War, and how does that impact the writing process?
A lot. Chris (Boltendahl, vocalist) is responsible for the lyrics, so he takes care of the research process, by visiting the country and getting as much impressions as possible. I’m responsible for the music and the single instrumental parts, so I’m not active on that side of the production.
TOP
In regards to Fields of Blood, where would you place it in terms of your depth and quality as artists?
Definitely at the top. Best sound, best songs, best performance, best band lineup.
How has the coronavirus impacted you, and are there any changes that you think you will need to make once the pandemic passes?
For the music scene, the virus is the biggest disaster that could ever happened. We were first in, last out, so I guess, minimum 50, maybe 70 percent of the professional musicians have to return to different jobs to survive and 80% of the tech companies for light and and sound will go insolvent.
Our regular 2 year interval of album / tour will not work anymore, because we’re of the opinion that in 2020 for sure, maybe 2021 as well, there will be no live shows anymore, so Chris and I have already collected new ideas for the successor of Fields Of Blood although this album will be released in about 2 weeks.
DISASTER
DISASTER
How has the coronavirus impacted you, and are there any changes that you think you will need to make once the pandemic passes?
For the music scene, the virus is the biggest disaster that could ever happened. We were first in, last out, so I guess, minimum 50, maybe 70 percent of the professional musicians have to return to different jobs to survive and 80% of the tech companies for light and and sound will go insolvent.
Our regular 2 year interval of album / tour will not work anymore, because we’re of the opinion that in 2020 for sure, maybe 2021 as well, there will be no live shows anymore, so Chris and I have already collected new ideas for the successor of Fields Of Blood although this album will be released in about 2 weeks.