I have heard Diamond Head’s music on and off through the decades, was confused when realizing they did a self-titled release in 2016, 40-years after their creation, for celebrating 50-years of music that influenced so many fitting to review, besides Metallica who was greatly influenced would also put a self-titled release in 1991. It is tough to be a metal fan without knowing the importance of the band’s importance, the one song “Am I Evil” but after an eight year break the band returned with one original member and others who had played together before, to show they still the hooks to capture listeners attention. Nevertheless, the band released their long-awaited return in April of 2016 on the label of Dissonance Productions.
Let’s dive deeper into this self-title album that is almost a complete rebuild, leading off a new vocalist who is Rasmus Bon Anderson his incredible pitch sails through the lyrics which fit in the direction the band sought rightfully to accomplish. As the group harkens back to the classic intro to the first song “Bones” with NWORBHM sound almost hints to 80s action thrill soaring explosion for sheer delightful entertainment. It will send any long-time listener back to the heyday of their youth; enjoy the trip. At 2:07 the music takes off with Tatler’s building riffs. Next is “Shout at the Devil” and it is not a cover of Motley Crue’s song of the same name, has a speedier pace to it, not thrash, yet engages the listeners with the pitch changes. The third track is one of my favorites “Set My Soul on Fire” a clear Black Sabbath influence track, as it starts with deep groove. Very good lyrics that paint a picture for the coming rapture, though fret not the other songs on the album do not lean this way, the music borders the doom atmosphere but never quite embraced. By 3:10 the instrumental portion rages on as if two swirling inferno winds swirled. “See You Rise” truly has that hard-rock setup with just an ounce of bluesy measured into the song, frankly the latter end of other song incorporates a hint of AC/DC into the mix. “All the Reasons You Live” is the fifth song that starts with powerful opener, before slowing it down, still heavy, it’s the type of track you could as people preparing for the battle.
“Wizards Sleeve” truly reminds me of their classic song “It’s Electric” as it has the high-tempo, and showcases the technical musicianship of the band, with vocals in complete balance to the ebb and flow of the music. Tatler lays down some cool riffs throughout keeping the listener engaged. Drummer Karl Wilcox gets “Our Time Is Now” heading in the right direction with driving the music to a powerful feel with Andersen. It is a call-to-action song to stand against suppression, for the citizens to rise overcome the fear with a uniting anthem. The eighth song “Speed” is Diamond Head’s classic style, on full display, not as fast a shredding thrash or speed metal, but the guitar work is marvelous, unleashing a high energy yet calling back to founding of an aggressive song. “Blood On My Hands” appears with moody, darker style, with the songs intention of one individual the everyday bloke who emotional damage going against the system that stacked disproportional to him.
The tenth track “Diamonds” has great tempo changes, and very complex guitar and bass work with solid drumming support; as it song is a nod to their own existence and legacy, knowing their music has influence countless other metal bands, in many ways to carry on from one century to the next (the band founded in 1976 – 20th century and lives on now in 21st century 50-years later). It notes their lengthy break, and the rebirth to their legendary sound. Before embarking on the last track “Silence” it needs to note that while “Bones” is explosion of power, acting as a birth, this track is of death and sorrow or human-kinds self-loathing leading to destruction. The opening minute and forty-five seconds have clear influence from Led Zepplin’s “Kashmir” (Physical Graffiti {1975}) and returns to it once more at 2:30, this baseline will return throughout the nearly epic 7-minute song. Noting the end of it all, in a powerful lasting creative some with drumming filling louder at 4:20 as everything builds onto the previous notes driving the song the conclusion in started with the dying of musical notes to fade away like the grains sands in the wind.
Track Listing:
Bones
Shout at the Devil
Set My Soul on Fire
See You Rise
All the Reasons You Live
Wizard Sleeve
Our Time Is Now
Speed
Blood on My Hands
Diamonds
Silence
Band Members
Rasmus Bom Andersen – vocals
Brian Tatler – lead and rhythm guitar
Andy Abberley – rhythm and lead guitar
Eddie Moohan – bass
Karl Wilcox – drums
The album truly reminds one of their classic sounds from the 80s, though not stagnant it incorporates a modern razor’s edge. Incredible Brian Tatler riffs, intense drumming, and the soaring powerful vocals of Rasmus Bom Andersen. As time marched the band made sure to stick to their guns, not changing their base form, no experimentation, but surer to impressive newer fans of metal who can appreciate the technical aspects of musicianship when they hear the quality of the performances.
Baron’s Rating: 5.0/5.0
Band’s Links:
http://www.facebook.com/DiamondHeadOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/diamond_head_official/
Label’s Link:
https://www.instagram.com/dissonance_productions/
https://www.facebook.com/DissonanceProductionsUK#