Former GRAVE DIGGER Guitarist Discusses His Departure

November 5, 2009

Germany's Hooked On Music web site recently conducted an in-depth interview with former GRAVE DIGGER guitarist Manni Schmidt about his departure from the group. The chat is now available in German and English (rough translation).

Schmidt left GRAVE DIGGER last month due to disagreements between him and vocalist/mastermind Chris Boltendahl.

GRAVE DIGGER has tapped DOMAIN's Axel Ritt to handle guitar duties for the band for their upcoming live shows.

Boltendahl and Ritt have known each other for about two decades, but this is the first time they are performing together in the same band.

Upcoming GRAVE DIGGER shows:

Nov. 20 - Siara Hall - Fortaleza, Brazil
Nov. 21 - Carioca Club - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Dec. 18 - Christmas Metal Meeting - Outback - Bad Arolsen, Germany
Dec. 19 - Christmas Metal Meeting - Stadthalle - Langen, Germany

"Ballads Of A Hangman", the latest album from GRAVE DIGGER, registered the following first-week chart positions:

Germany: #31
Austria: #78
Switzerland: #81

The CD was released on January 9 via Austria's Napalm Records.

Fan-filmed video footage of GRAVE DIGGER performing on the Sweden Rock Cruise, which departed from Stockholm on April 2, 2009, can be viewed below (courtesy of "blackopalrough").

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