Judging by the title of the lead track on the new single from German power metallers GRAVE DIGGER, many had the thought: finally, someone found the source that a certain famous Liverpool foursome used to create their immortal hit :) Unfortunately, everything turned out quite differently. The song that serves as the foundation of this single was recorded way back in 1984 for the band's first full-length, "Heavy Metal Breakdown," which, you'll agree, came a bit later than the BEATLES' composition :) The song has acquired an entirely new and fresh sound, with surprisingly melodic (imagine that!) vocals from Boltendahl. The disc also features an orchestral version of "Yesterday." There's no major difference between the two tracks, as the orchestral component doesn't play the leading role, but the acoustic guitar sound does add its own charm. The Reapers Dance (the only new track on the record) is a classic mid-tempo banger from the period of the Germans' recent works, nothing particularly standing out from the general ranks. GRAVE DIGGER have plenty of such songs. The highlight of the single, however, is the cover of LED ZEPPELIN's hit No Quarter, which seems to have gained a second wind in the gravediggers' rendition.
An interesting fact: "Yesterday" is the band's first single since 1998. You'll agree, it suggests that after the move from Nuclear Blast to Locomotive Records, the Spaniards immediately decided to cash in and pressured the Germans into releasing this. After all, aside from collecting purposes, there's no real reason to buy this record. But these are only my subjective musings.
A reminder that the new GRAVE DIGGER album "Liberty of Death" will be released on January 12, 2007. So we wait.