''Ballads of a Hangman'' is the 14th studio album by the German heavy metal band

Grave Digger A gravedigger is a cemetery worker who is responsible for digging a grave prior to a funeral service. Description If the grave is in a cemetery on the property of a church or other religious organization (part of, or called, a churchyard), ...

, and was released on 27 January 2009. It is the first Grave Digger album to feature two guitarists, the only one to feature

Thilo Hermann Thilo Herrmann (born 19 September 1964 in Mühlhausen, East Germany) is a German heavy metal guitarist and songwriter who worked with Grave Digger from 2008-2009. History Prior to joining his latest band Grave Digger in 2007, Herrmann has p ...

who co-wrote the album but was asked to leave soon after its release and also the last one with

Manni Schmidt Manfred "Manni" Schmidt (born 27 November 1964) is a German heavy metal guitarist, best known for having been a member of Grave Digger and Rage. History Born in Andernach, West Germany, Schmidt begun his career starting his own band Factor ...

who left the band in October 2009 due to personal differences with

Chris Boltendahl Grave Digger is a German heavy metal band that was first formed in 1980 by Chris Boltendahl and Peter Masson. Emerging from the early-to-mid 1980s heavy metal scene of their native country, Grave Digger has been referred to as one of the so-c ...

. The semi-ballad "Lonely The Innocence Dies" featuring Veronica Freeman of

Benedictum Benedictum is an American heavy metal band formed in 2005 in San Diego, California that now resides in Phoenix, Arizona. Their current lineup consists of vocalist Veronica Freeman, guitarist Pete Wells, bassist Aric Avina, and drummer Rikard ...

was noted for being close to a harder version of "

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" by

Kylie Minogue Kylie Ann Minogue (; born 28 May 1968) is an Australian singer, songwriter and actress. She is the highest-selling female Australian artist of all time, having sold over 80 million records worldwide. She has been recognised for reinve ...

and

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Track listing

All music composed by Boltendahl/Schmidt/Hermann

Album line-up

* Chris Boltendahl - lead and backing vocals *

- guitars and backing vocals *

Jens Becker Jens Becker (born 24 May 1965) is a German heavy metal bass guitarist who currently performs with Grave Digger. History Becker was born in Fürth. His first major band was Running Wild, which he joined in 1987. He stayed with them for four ...

- bass * Stefan Arnold - drums * H.P. Katzenburg - keyboards

References

{{Authority control 2009 albums Grave Digger (band) albums Napalm Records albums