This album is virtually flawless for its genre and time. The only thing that doesn't really impress me that much is the vocals, but it's easy to ignore this when the drums, bass and eccentric guitar work all fly past at the same pace, and consequently make for some truly inspiring and memorable songs. 'Am I evil?', the title track and the everlong 'Sucking my love' are all great examples of this band's great talent. One of the best NWOBHM releases for sure.

One of the most underrated Heavy Metal albums of all times, and IMO the best NWoBHM album.

Im not lying when i say that this is the best NWOBHM album. The Prince, Lightning to the Nations and Am i evil are just outstanding. And if it wasnt for Diamond Head, Bands like Metallica wouldnt exist, either.

Written by [user id=136417] on 17.11.2012 at 13:11

Im not lying when i say that this is the best NWOBHM album. The Prince, Lightning to the Nations and Am i evil are just outstanding. And if it wasnt for Diamond Head, Bands like Metallica wouldnt exist, either.

Funny you say that, it seems they keep trying to remind everybody of that
http://brightonbar.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Diamond-Head-II1.jpg

True NWOBHM classic here. Each song is great. "The Prince", Am I Evil" and "Helpless" are timeless.

Just discovering How excellent this band is, Will be buying this album asap.

Amazing album from beginning to end.

Long-winded more than anything, especially the ten-minute third track - only "Am I Evil?" really justifies its length.

The guitar work is undeniably good, however.

Written by Ruchesko on 27.01.2015 at 03:34

Long-winded more than anything, especially the ten-minute third track - only "Am I Evil?" really justifies its length.

Ten minute track? Or do you mean Sucking My Love with its 9.5 minutes?
To be honest I wouldn't call 7 tracks clocking in at 41 minutes long-winded.

But...

I personally find it to be quite the overrated album, not a classic at all. Only the four tracks that Metallica covered are good, so, The Prince, Am I Evil?, It's Electric, and Helpless.

Funny that when it was released not many people were hailing this album and only started going bonkers over this album and Diamond Head themselves after Metallica covered those four tracks and said how much they were influenced by Diamond Head.

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 27.01.2015 at 12:23

Written by Ruchesko on 27.01.2015 at 03:34

Long-winded more than anything, especially the ten-minute third track - only "Am I Evil?" really justifies its length.

Ten minute track? Or do you mean Sucking My Love with its 9.5 minutes?
To be honest I wouldn't call 7 tracks clocking in at 41 minutes long-winded.

But...

I personally find it to be quite the overrated album, not a classic at all. Only the four tracks that Metallica covered are good, so, The Prince, Am I Evil?, It's Electric, and Helpless.

Funny that when it was released not many people were hailing this album and only started going bonkers over this album and Diamon Head themselves after Metallica covered those four tracks and said how much they were influenced by Diamond Head.

I agree , IMO this band is boring , Metallica versions is much better as original IMO,

Written by Bad English on 27.01.2015 at 14:16


I agree , IMO this band is boring , Metallica versions is much better as original IMO,

The cover they did of "It's Electric" definitely. The older covers though don't have the same vibe to them as the orriginals. Metallica's sound was way rougher, and James wasn't the Vocal God we know him as today back then in the 80's. It all has a garage feel to it, which is nice, but not fitting to these songs. Especially "The Prince" seems almost butchered. No synths, the chugging guitars, and the faster rythm, which isn't always better, as showcased here. The only thing about them that's better though, are the solos by Kirk (obviously).

Tracks like "Lightning to the Nations" and especially "Am I Evil?" are extremely epic. The whole album is an NWOBHM masterpiece, and on par with more well known bands like Iron Maiden and Def Leppard. And without them, Thrash Metal wouldn't be what it is today. Too bad that they decided to constantly switch around their style instead of playing around this. In the end, that is what led the band downhill.

Didn't remember this album was so short. On the other hand, there's no filler at all or bad songs for that matter, Am I Evil and Sucking My Love have some awesome riffs here and there, always loved the latter even though it's a song about oral sex. These guys sure didn't get the attention and success they deserved, but thanks to Metallica, they at least got some of it. It could be much worse, I guess.

Short description of this album: every song has the best guitar riff ever.

A few comments above saying this album (and band) were overlooked until the Metallica covers - and this is true. I myself had never heard a single Diamond Head song until the covers. But, to say that this LP is overrated because the Metallica versions are better is just plain daft. It stands the test of time in its own right and is a very good LP.

Also, Diamond Head had such a massive influence on those early Metallica albums in general. Listen to the huge similarity between 'Seek And Destroy' and the central riff in 'Sucking My Love' - not a direct duplication but you can hear the palpable influence. Anyhow, rant over - this LP is ace.

This has always sounded to me like it took alot of inspiration from early Deep Purple, but with their own bluesy feel to it. The vocals are good, and the riffs and solos are exceptional, but this album has never wowed me as much as I expected.

Obviously Metallica's debut was hugely influenced by this album, for instance the song "Seek And Destroy", which is uncannily similar in sound to "Am I Evil?", this earned Diamond Head a huge level of respect imo, because it began Metallica's career, who then went on to become one of the biggest names in the metal world, and helped kickstart the 80's thrash Phenomenon. Diamond Head on the other hand, never achieved any near that level success, especially when compared with the big names in British Heavy metal, that forned around the same time, this was very unfortunate indeed.

DIAMOND HEAD's genre-defining debut album, "Lightning To The Nations", will be re-released as "Lightning To The Nations (The White Album) [Remastered 2021]" on September 30 via Silver Lining Music. The release will feature not only the original album from quarter-inch master tapes which METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich helped DIAMOND HEAD guitarist Brian Tatler retrieve back in 1990, but also alternative mixes of classic cuts "Lightning To The Nations", "The Prince", "Sucking My Love", "Am I Evil?" and "Sweet And Innocent" never publicly released (or heard) before. There is also brand-new cover artwork based on an idea Tatler had, to show a character referred to as "The Lightning God".

Good banger, only album from this band what has some kind value ...but its bad quality, band should re record it close to original notes, riffs, lines drums n vocal parts.
Bonus songs was cool actually.

Written by Bad English on 15.09.2022 at 09:51

Good banger, only album from this band what has some kind value ...but its bad quality, band should re record it close to original notes, riffs, lines drums n vocal parts.
Bonus songs was cool actually.

Been returning to this album quite a few times lately. Damn, this is still such a banger, aged well I think.