Axel “Ironfinger” Ritt picked up the guitar at 12, inspired by legends like Jeff Beck, Brian May, and Gary Moore, and earned his nickname for using extremely heavy gauge strings. After studying music in Dortmund and playing in bands like XRIDE, Zünder, Kingdom, and Domain, he became the guitarist of German heavy metal icons Grave Digger in 2009, touring worldwide and achieving international chart success. Praised as “the fastest fingers of Germany,” Axel is also a producer, music publisher, and owner of Meadow Recording Studios and two production companies.