"Lightning To The Nations"

[Wyvern]

Please don't laugh or throw rocks, yes I finally got Diamond Head debut (better late than never). For some reason when I hear MP3s the band didn't convice me much. After hearinf Sean Harris singing in Gary Hughes' "Past And Future King - pt1" I got awsomely impressed with his voice. So I decided to give the album a chance (since I needed also to dilute the S&H factor of Motorhead's "Inferno" ).

In any case, I'm very impressed with the album for many reasons:

a) The edition is very elegant. A white slipcase holding a nice jewel case with a folded booklet having a simile of the signatures, all the lyrics, plus pictures and data.

b) Not only the original album, but the songs of the EP, and some singles.

c) The songs that didn't grab me still don't completely, but I have discover not only that Metallica really butchered 'Helpless' and 'It's Electric', but also new beautiful songs like 'Waited Too Long'.

Alright so it took me like 25 years to discover them, what's the point of being immortal if is not for these tiny details?

 

[Hawk]

Their first album is great. One of the the NWOBHM classics. I got it in early 1980 when I ordered it directly from the band. Keep on playing it and it will click. The Zeppelin influence is very clear on that album. I love "The Prince" "Sucking my Love and of course "Am I Evil".

 

[Fangface]

Brian Tatler should be mentionned in the "most underrated musicians" thread!

 

[carnut]

Yeah, early Diamond Head rules, I also had the "Living on ... Borrowed time" record, one of the nicest metal - artworks on that album too I think... Unfortunatly another NWOBHM band that made some bad albums later on . I remember "Canterburry" was a big disappointment to me, maybe if I should hear that again now it would be different, only remember the titelsong was good, other was shit to me at that time... But the first albums are classics , any oldschooler should try them. One of my first jeans-jackets had the Diamand Head logo on the back !!!!

 

[Wyvern]

The Zeppelin influence is very clear on that album.

Interesting your quotation Hawk. I'm not a Zep fan even if they were among my first rock bands (I'm not going into discussion, let's say I don't like them). The interestieng point is that I don't hear much Zep on ot, but I'll have to hear more (maybe that's why some songs didn't grab me when I first heard the band), the other is that inside the booklet there's a pic with the caption: we are the natural successors to Zeppelin Maybe even the band wanted it!

I any case if a logical fact that all those guys who started the NWOBHM where influenciated basically by Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest.

In 1980 I wasn't buying albums yet and was into classic music in my house , I'm old but also a late metalhead

 

[sixxswine]

Early Diamond Head=The Shit!

I love their early stuff, heck I even like their Death & Progress disc, for what it is. A Hard Rock record, I'm sure that turned off the purists. What did you think of that one Hawk? Just curious, as you were into them before me. I'll await your reply.
SIXXSWINE-\m/

 

[Jean-Pierre]

THE PRINCE.

 

[Victim of Deception]

Very good album.

 

[Greeno]

I was also late in hearing Diamond Head, first heard them in the late 80's because of Metallica of course. It took me a few listens to get into them because of first hearing the songs done by Metallica but now I love 'em. The first album I bought was the comp "Behold The Beginning". "Borrowed Time" is also fantastic!

 

[Wyvern]

Correction.

They sound a lot like Led Zeppelin in 'I Don't Got'

 

[carnut]

in March this year a compilation CD was released called 'the Anthology"

DISC 1 : Am I Evil? , Lightning To The Nation , The Prince , It's Electric , Sucking My Love , Helpless , Shoot Out The Lights , We Won't Be Back , I Don't Got , Play It Loud , Dead Reckoning , In The Heat Of The Night , To Heaven From Hell

DISC 2 : Call Me , Borrowed Time , Makin' Music , Out Of Phase , To The Devil His Due , Knight Of The Swords , Ishmael , Truckin' , Calling Your Name , I Can't Help Myself , Run , Home , To Heaven From Hell (live) , To The Devil His Due (live) , Lightning To The Nations (Acoustic)

 

[Hawk]

Interesting your quotation Hawk. I'm not a Zep fan even if they were among my first rock bands (I'm not going into discussion, let's say I don't like them). The interestieng point is that I don't hear much Zep on ot, but I'll have to hear more (maybe that's why some songs didn't grab me when I first heard the band), the other is that inside the booklet there's a pic with the caption: we are the natural successors to Zeppelin Maybe even the band wanted it!

Ok play "Dazed and Confused" from the first Led Zep album and listen to the middle piece were Planty is moaning and groaning while Page is spaceing out.

Now play "Sucking my Love" and hear Sean Harris moan and groan while Brian Tatler is playing the spacy solo. Its obvious.

Early Diamond Head=The Shit!

I love their early stuff, heck I even like their Death & Progress disc, for what it is. A Hard Rock record, I'm sure that turned off the purists. What did you think of that one Hawk? Just curious, as you were into them before me. I'll await your reply.
SIXXSWINE-\m/

I think that just as Angel Witch did so Diamond Head got commercial after the first album and a few good singles. I loved their "Borrowed Time" album but the rest of what they released were below their usual standard.

When I look back on the NWOBHM I am a bit dissapointed. I live it in those days. Saw the actual bands play, bought the singles [and still ahve all of them] EP's and samplers.

Good bands like Tresspass, The Handsome Beasts and White Spirit never made it. Or got commerical after a promissing start like Hellenbach, Weapon and Jaguar not to mention Raven

When you hear the rare and hard to get stuff from those bands you will hear them at their best. A prime example is the songs "Extermination Day" from Angel Witch. Man that song is fucking HEAVY. I was soo disapointed when I heard their album.

All in all I think most good NWOBHM bands got fucked over by their greedy managers looking for a shortcut to fame and fortune. And of course the bands in question were stupid or not experienced enought to fall for it.

 

[Wyvern]

Now play "Sucking my Love" and hear Sean Harris moan and groan while Brian Tatler is playing the spacy solo. Its obvious.

I agree 'Sucking My Love' is also very Zeppelinische

Good bands like Tresspass, The Handsome Beasts and White Spirit never made it. Or got commerical after a promissing start like Hellenbach, Weapon and Jaguar not to mention Raven

Indeed, however Jaguar comeback in 2000 and the 2003 album are both excellent pure old school metal.

When you hear the rare and hard to get stuff from those bands you will hear them at their best. A prime example is the songs "Extermination Day" from Angel Witch. Man that song is fucking HEAVY. I was soo disapointed when I heard their album.

REALLY? To me Angel Witch debut is one of the best albums ever, 'Angel Witch', 'White Witch', 'Sweet Danger', 'Angel of Death' are great songs. That's why I love so much their 1990 "Live" album because is the only music dfrom the debut plus 'Extermination Day', 'Baphomet' and 'Flight 19'

All in all I think most good NWOBHM bands got fucked over by their greedy managers looking for a shortcut to fame and fortune. And of course the bands in question were stupid or not experienced enought to fall for it.

Wise words. For one Iron Maiden (with Rod Smallwood and Martin Birch) there were hundreds of poor guys in the hands of demons, idiots and lazy bastards who kill their careers before they could even lift off for good.

 

[Hawk]

I agree 'Sucking My Love' is also very Zeppelinische



Indeed, however Jaguar comeback in 2000 and the 2003 album are both excellent pure old school metal.

True but it is too late now. They should have had the balls to stick to their guns. Man they were on fire live in the early 80s!! So much energy@

I have seen them 5 times of which 2 x with the original singer from the "Backstreet Woman" single.

I also was present at their reunion gig at Wacken1999 or 2000. That was good but nowhere near the energy they had.

REALLY? To me Angel Witch debut is one of the best albums ever, 'Angel Witch', 'White Witch', 'Sweet Danger', 'Angel of Death' are great songs. That's why I love so much their 1990 "Live" album because is the only music dfrom the debut plus 'Extermination Day', 'Baphomet' and 'Flight 19'

Really you have to remember that my context is completly different than your's and other on this forum. I first heard Angel Witch in late '79 or very early 1980 on the "Metal for Muthas" sampler. I thought that their song Baphomet was the best song on the album. Thats right, I liked it better than Sanctuary and Wrathchild from Maiden. I was an instant Angel Witch fan. In fact when the I saw the sleeve of the first Maiden album, for a moment I thought it was the Angel Witch debut.

Then when I was was on a trip in Amsterdam I stumbled on the 19 inch ep with Sweet Danger and Flight 19. Amazing stuff and very wel produced. I kept looking for more Angel Witch and found the "Metal Explosion" sampler. Extermination day was on that album. Man I was stoked when I bought the first Angel Witch album!!!

Only to be dissapointed by the tame production and a more commercial orientation in the song writing. it could be that they released their most heavy songs on samplers and EP's who will know. The point however is that the material they released before their debut album is way better IMHO that the debut! I suppose most of you will strongly disagree with me. But thats fine. I stand by what I am saying here.

Wise words. For one Iron Maiden (with Rod Smallwood and Martin Birch) there were hundreds of poor guys in the hands of demons, idiots and lazy bastards who kill their careers before they could even lift off for good.

I think the bands themselves are mostly to blame. They could have given those guys the middle finger. Nobody held a gun to their heads. It was their own stupid mistake. I will never forgive a band like Raven for selling out on the fans.They were touring with Metalica and Motorhead for gods sake!! They could have been huge! But noooo they had to listen to their record company and make some quick cash!

 

[Wicked Child]

This album's a classic, man. Good that you finally got it! Not a bad song in the bunch and is worth owning, for those who don't have it.

 

[Wyvern]

Really you have to remember that my context is completly different than your's and other on this forum.

Thanks you make me feel young

@ WC: well I won't say that the whole album rules, some fillers to my taste. But like you said I got it at last, and that's what it counts.

 

[Wicked Child]

Or got commerical after a promissing start like Hellenbach, Weapon and Jaguar not to mention Raven

Don't forget Def Leppard. I don't consider their first two albums commercial. Just raw, good,by-the-books NWOBHM.Pyromania was the beginnings of it for sure, but i find it to be the perfect "bridge" between the early style and the Hysteria style.

You remember the cruise i went on a couple weeks ago, right? Well, while I was there, I met this dude who works on the ship in an elevator after he commented on my Motorhead shirt. We talked for literall a good hour in the lobby of the 2nd floor about music. 70's hard rock, 80's power metal, Iron Maiden, and how he grew up in England during the height of the whole NWOBHM scene, how his first ever concert was Girlschool/Saxon when he was 13, and that he bought the first Angel Witch, Iron Maiden, Saxon and Samson albums and Motorhead's No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith as new releases. He made that whole time sound so great!

 

[Hawk]

Thanks you make me feel young

You're welcome I am pretty happy about my age. And glad I lived the 80s as I did. I would not have missed it for the world.

Don't forget Def Leppard. I don't consider their first two albums commercial. Just raw, good,by-the-books NWOBHM. Pyromania was the beginnings of it for sure, but i find it to be the perfect "bridge" between the early style and the Hysteria style.

Yea, well, I meant all of those band sincluding the ones I never heard of

You remember the cruise i went on a couple weeks ago, right? Well, while I was there, I met this dude who works on the ship in an elevator after he commented on my Motorhead shirt. We talked for literall a good hour in the lobby of the 2nd floor about music. 70's hard rock, 80's power metal, Iron Maiden, and how he grew up in England during the height of the whole NWOBHM scene, how his first ever concert was Girlschool/Saxon when he was 13, and that he bought the first Angel Witch, Iron Maiden, Saxon and Samson albums and Motorhead's No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith as new releases. He made that whole time so so great!

Cool story! I try to do that all the time

 

[sixxswine]

Thanks for you thoughts on my post, Hawk.
You Rule!
\m/

 

[Hawk]

Thanks for you thoughts on my post, Hawk.
You Rule!
\m/

Thank you my friend