Diamond Head

                                                                                                            Title: Diamond Head

                                                                                                            Label: Dissonance Records

                                                                                                            Release Date:22nd April 

I first remember coming across Diamond Head listening to The Friday Rock Show hosted by Tommy Vance, my first purchase of theirs was the double gatefold 7” inch of “In The Heat of the Night” and I became an instant fan and followed them on and off over the years and they still have a special place in my heart.

So fast forward to 2016 many many years have passed since 1982 when I brought that superb gatefold which included an Interview with the legend Tommy Vance! The bands line up has completely changed over the years and they have had many ups and downs but they still possess the original lead guitarist Brian Tatler and it has been eight years since Diamond Head released an Album with the previous vocalist Nick Tart.

 

Here it is in all its glory the Self-Titled Diamond Head with a new singer the super Dane Rasmus Bom Andersen.

Opening with the stunningly enigmatic “Bones” you are thrown into a vortex of Classic Metal the way it used to be when I was a lad and all that! But seriously everything from Rasmuses gritty vocals to the brilliance of the guitar man ship from band stalwart Tatler accompanied by the pounding rhythm section will please fans old and new of these Metal Veterans.

“Shout At The Devil” is up next and no not the Cover of Motley Crues song believe me! But like the name sake it will have you punching the air and indeed “Shouting at The Devil” this is going to be hellish live (Pun Intended)!

“Set My Soul on Fire” slows things down a tad and builds into something truly mesmerizing with an exceptionally exquisite guitar solo, and the vocals from Rasumus changes tone this whole song has tinges of Led Zeppelin it’s an exemplary piece of Classic Rock.

“See You Rise” is a deep and resonant number that pummels your skull and rocks and truly rolls!

A huge Symphonic opening leads into “All The Reasons You Live”it has some brilliantly thought provoking lyrics as the music throbs and draws you in.

 

Next the spell bindingly ingenious Blues Infused “Wizards Sleeve” its rhythms and groove will have you singing along to this fun song in no time at all. ” Our Time is Now” opens with some doom laden aesthetics and like a few of the songs on this opus the lyrics really work your old Brain matter and leave you asking many questions! While slowly banging your head to the deep thuds and delicious Metal Delirium!

“Speed” does what it says on the tin and will see you exercising those neck muscles again! ” Blood on My Hands” is a more laid back number with an addictive riff throughout this is a pure masterpiece, it’s an Album highlight on here with the Opener “Bones” these two are the songs I would introduce to anyone not sure about this latest offering from these Rockers.

“Diamonds” says it all just listen to the lyrics! Say no more!   

Final song is over six minutes long and transports you to a Buddhist temple high up in the  Tibetan hills with its ancient humming it’s a true legend of a song and brings this stupendous piece of art to an end.                    

 

To sum up Yet another superb Album released this year and its easily our Album of the month here at The Metal Gods Meltdown, I have seen some disparaging comments about this release, that this is not Diamond Head and just Tatler remains in Diamond Head and they are only really famous for “Am I Evil” Well really! There are some people in the world who will never understand or get what a band like Diamond Head mean to the whole NWOBHM / Metal Scene.

Brian Tatler is keeping and kept the spirit Alive with this Album, and as for one song making band what a complete load of bollocks!

This Album is as good as any Album released by todays up and coming bands it’s totally awesome keeping the spirit of NWOBHM alive in the twenty first century Diamond Head will not, and never will let you down!

 

Review:Seb Di Gatto  Score:10/10     Facebook   Website

 

Track listing:

1.Bones

2.Shout At The Devil

3.Set My Soul on Fire

4.See You Rise

5.All The Reasons You Live

6.Wizard Sleeve

7.Our Time is Now

8.Speed

9.Blood on My Hands

10.Diamonds

11.Silence

 

 

Band Line up:

Rasmus Bom Andersen -Vocals

Brian Tatler – lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Eddie Moohan – bass

Karl Wilcox – drums

Andy "Abbz" Abberley