Album Review: Diamond Head - Diamond Head

Diamond Head

Diamond Head

(Dissonance Productions)

It has often been said that Dave Mustaine wrote all of Metallica's riffs on Kill 'Em All, but that's simply not true.

Brian Tatler did.

At the very least, Tatler and his band must be respected for really formulating the groundbreaking speed metal hooks that would set off an iconic undertaking that changed music forever.

It’s been nearly a decade since the band released material, but a decade is merely a fraction of what this band has been writing solid music for. Diamond Head may be recognizable to you for the very simple fact that they inspired nearly every first wave thrash metal band out there. Metallica's cover of their song “Am I Evil?” has been played on radio stations all over the world, much to the delight of Diamond Head's publicity. With the albums Borrowed Time and Lightning to The Nations, Diamond Head established themselves to a point where they would never need to write an album again.

Despite releasing two of the most important metal albums ever written, a problem with line-up changes during the recording of their third album Canterbury stalled the album’s release, and by then momentum was shifting away from most NWOBHM bands to the new scenes emerging in California. Diamond Head struggled to find relevance and faded into obscurity all together until calling it quits soon after Caterbury, only to reunite again for a short lived second run in the mid-‘90s. It’s a shame that a band so good with so many great hooks would have to suffer such a fate, but in the metal world there’s no shortage of chances, and especially not for a band as recognizable and important as Diamond Head.

The self-titled album shows signs of that special something that ignited a movement thirty five years ago, which the first two albums had. The new album sounds really fresh and young, and the recent addition of Rasmus Von Anderson as the vocalist surely delivers a whopping punch. Of course Tatler’s powerful solos, and riffs are a part of the repertoire. As far as I am concerned Diamond Head delivers a fine rock album with this release. Okay, you may not get screaming legions of fans to pump their fists to “Our Time Is Now,” or “Wizard Sleeve,” as easily as you would “The Prince” or “Love Suck,” but those aren’t reasons to turn your head away from this legendary band.

Give Diamond Head’s new album a try, and you may also be blown away. Brian Tatler is still the mastermind behind bluesy solos and speed metal riffs to hook you in. Give Diamond Head a chance to wear on in you, because this gem is worth it. The album comes out on April 22nd. 

PS: I know Brian Tatler did not write a single note on Kill 'Em All. It's a joke. Please do not swing me upside down from a tree.