On the occasion of releasing their 18th album in almost 40 years, Grave Digger's singer Chris "Reaper" Boltendahl gives to Rock Overdose and to Zisis Petkanas the full details concerning their new album ''The Living Dead''. He expresses his thoughts that Grave Digger are nearly 40 years in the scene and they do what they want to, he tell us that they are planning something special for band’s 40th anniversary, and he waits eagerly to visit Greece once again and meet the Greek fans.
Rock Overdose: Chris, welcome to Rock Overdose, how are you?
Chris: I'm fine, thank you very much.
Rock Overdose: We're looking forward to seeing you live here in Greece. What should the fans expect from these live shows?
Chris: We have a very good setlist, we have songs we never played live in Greece, and I hope the people really enjoy it. We also play one of the new songs of the new album and I think it's a good reason to attend these live shows definitely.
Rock Overdose: Will you sing again the Greek song ''Hellas''?
Chris: Not this time, it will be the first time we will not play ''Hellas, Hellas'' but I think it's better to play one or two more Grave Digger songs.
Rock Overdose: So, how about the new album, the reactions and your feelings about this release?
Chris: The album will be released tomorrow and when we released three weeks ago the ''Zombie Dance'' video where you know by yourself a lot of metal fans said ''this is no Grave Digger'', blah blah blah... But on the other side, we are Grave Digger, we are allowed to do that because we are nearly 40 years in the scene and we do what we want to and if we do a metal reggae song, we do a metal reggae song, ''Zombie Dance'' is a song that I think it will work live very well so stay calm because the rest of the album is metal as it should be.
Rock Overdose: It's a song that you made for fun I suppose.
Chris: Yes, it's a party song, we said ''let's do polka which is totally weird'' and we made a polka together with Russkaja, a band from Austria and we enjoyed the song because it shows the other side of Grave Digger.
Rock Overdose: So after all these years as a band which are your best moments?
Chris: Ι think the best moment was when we played in 2010 ''Tunes Of War'' complete in Wacken Festival, in two years we have another anniversary, the 40 years of Grave Digger and we'll put something special for that when it's time. We are still working hard. When we let the studio in June and finished the album we already started thinking about the next one and we're preparing it so far.
Rock Overdose: You already prepare for the next release?
Chris: Yes, but the next release will be in Spring time to summer 2020 but we are dealing now with all ideas we have and believe me it will be great too. It's really something very special for the 40th anniversary.
Rock Overdose: You said 40 years which will be in two years from now.
Chris: Yes, in 2020. Grave Digger was founded in 1980 so 40 years of Grave Digger will be worth something special.
Rock Overdose: So you are planning something special for this year?
Chris: Yes, yes, definitely. The album which is coming out that year will be also something special, I think the people will be very pleased but first is ''The Living Dead'' which is a very good album and I think the people will like it. Have you listened to the complete album?
Rock Overdose: Yes, I have and I liked it very much and for me this polka song was really good, I think it was fun. It's the other face of the band, some say it was good that you made it, some others disagree.
Chris: Yes, definitely, but I don't have a problem, people may say if they like it or not but everyone is speaking about it.
Rock Overdose: Would you like to leave a message for the fans who will attend your live shows in Greece?
Chris: You will love it when we come back and we will present you a very good setlist with the highlights of our career, so stay tuned for a great metal night in Greece in Thessaloniki and Athens.
Rock Overdose: We're looking forward for these live shows. Is there anything you'd like to say through this interview?
Chris: Let me think... 'Ελα μαζί στην παραλία! You have the most beautiful beaches in Greece I have seen in my life so we have to go to the beach together, so enjoy life.
Rock Overdose: Thank you very much for this mini interview and see you soon in Greece.
Chris: Thank you very much my friend, see you too in Greece, bye bye!
For Rock Overdose
Zisis Petkanas
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