Astral Doors and Grave Digger

04/21/06
. (Kayos) May 9 will see the release of Astralism by Astral Doors and the double-CD 25 to Live by Grave Digger on Locomotive Records.

When Swedish guitarist Joachim Nordlund and drummer Johan Lindstedt formed Astral Doors in 2002, their intent was to approximate the greatness of their metal heroes Rainbow, Dio, Purple and Sabbath. Their sound was cemented upon adding vocalist Nils Patrik Johansson, keyboardist Jocke Roberg and bassist Martin Haglund (who soon moved to second lead guitar when bassist Mika Itaranta was recruited). Their Of The Son And The Father debut garnered them a slot at the prestigious Wacken Open Air festival in 2004. Their Evil Is Forever followup in 2005 proved darker and more atmospheric. Tours with Metal Goddess Doro brought them more fans. Now, with the help of super-producer Peter Tagtgren in his legendary Abyss Studio, Astral Doors breaks down any and all sub-genre considerations with Astralism, a sound�a way of life�a credo.

In 1984, Grave Digger released its classic Heavy Metal Breakdown debut. Since then, it has become one of Germany�s leading headbang machines. Founding member Chris Boltendahl has set a vocal standard, even penning an auto-biography, Grave Digger: die definitive Biografie. Like their friends in Helloween, Running Wild, Sinner and Destruction, Grave Digger has sculpted its own sound and its own vision to become a model of consistency, living proof of the �Made In Germany� stamp of Metal. Recorded live in 2005 at shows in Brazil, 25 To Live spotlights tracks from such stellar Grave Digger albums as Heart Of Darkness, Tunes Of War, Knights Of The Cross, Excaliber, The Grave Digger, Rheingold and The Last Supper.

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