Review Summary: The clan would rise again, but not quite with a record like this.
The fact that
The Clans will Rise Again, Grave Digger's 15th (!) record, is remembered as more of a "loose sequel" to 1996's
Tunes of War than another vital addition to the band's extensive discography suggests one of two things: Either Grave Digger had finally run out of inspiration in 2010, or that they genuinely wanted to revisit the "Middle Ages" album trilogy one final time. The latter can safely be called a bit desperate however, because ever since the mid-90s Grave Digger have practically become obsessed with the Middle Ages, save for a couple of records along the way. What does this mean? Well, for one thing, it proves that Grave Digger have, over time, lost their bite as well as what made albums such as
Excalibur and the self-titled 2001 effort so instinctively powerful and convincing.
The Clans will Rise Again hasn't been the record to regain the fanbase's faith in Grave Digger's ongoing career. Contextually it should be noted that this was the first record to feature new guitarist Axel Ritt-who is mentioned in the credits to have supplied backing vocals as a bonus. However, a new guitarist doesn't mean a rejuvenated songwriting ethic, and that's practically why
The Clans will Rise Again just doesn't feel as strong as expected. For one thing, it's too long. This is more to do with an excess in songs rather than timing, "Spiders" and the over-long "Whom the Gods Love Die Young" among others proving that musicianship feels doggedly tired here. To counter this fact however, Axel Ritt has a very interesting guitar technique and gradually shows why he was picked to be in the band. The driving rhythm section in songs such as "Paid in Blood", "Hammer of the Scots" and "Highland Farewell" means that even if you're not fully satisfied with the end product, these three aforementioned cuts will certainly make you headbang along to the visceral pace. As well as this, Ritt provides a powerful backing vocal delivery on some of the strongest choruses of the record, even if it's mostly ignored thanks to the raspy weight of Boltendahl's gruff tone
That said, from the title track onwards it feels like a bit of a downward slope, and really every aspect of the album's production is equally at fault. Boltendahl proves on songs such as the lackluster "Rebels" and the somewhat failed ballad "Whom the Gods Love Die Young" that he can't quite provide the vocal backbone of the songwriting process as fiercely as he did say a decade before, but he still tries. This is evident, but in the end it simply doesn't work. What's more unfortunate is that, especially in the second half of the album, it feels like everything is plodding along. There's no real explosion or visceral energy to be found-it simply gives the listener the impression of a band wanting to finish as soon as they can.
Yet that's a somewhat confusing idea, because the album is at least ten minutes longer than its predecessor
Ballads of a Hangman-an album which rivals every aspect of the musicianship here because it details more youthful energy and vibrant focus. Here, the "loose sequel" to 1996's
Tunes of War suggests Grave Digger were (and still are) on their last legs. Perhaps because this album was released in 2010 that statement is a little harsh, and the band have since released two records. However, notwithstanding the legacy of the band,
The Clans will Rise Again remains a bit of a downfall in an otherwise promising metal career.
