Album review: DIAMOND HEAD – Lightning To The Nations

Silver Lining [Release date 30.09.22]

Formed in the late 70s and part of the NWoBHM movement, Diamond Head epitomise the ‘Should have been huge’, ‘influential’ and ‘recognised after the event’ band.

This, their debut, was originally released through their own label in 1980 in a plain white sleeve, (it was released through their own label so that kept costs down), so is often known as The White Album. And it soon became known as Lightning To The Nations, after the opening track.

This 2CD features a fantastic sound and loads of bonus tracks, and sleevenotes from guitarist Brian Tatler (currently the sole original member).

Alongside guitarist Tatler was vocalist Sean Harris, bassist Colin Kimberley and drummer Duncan Scott. The main influence at the time was the period classic rock, notably Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Michael Schenker, a complexity inspired by Rush and a punk-like ‘get up and do it’ attitude. Several well received demos were recorded, support slots with Iron Maiden and AC/DC taken, several labels courted; yet in the absence of a deal they wanted (depending on the source you read, management from Harris’s mother may have been a factor), so the album was self-released.

The album kicks off with a chunky riff in the title track, and The Prince is a standout, with some complex guitar work and interplay. Sucking My Love is a longer track that’s almost progressive.

Side two of the original album kicks off with perhaps the band’s best known song, Am I Evil?

This song (along side several others) was covered by Metallica, who cites this album as inspiration to form Metallica. Am I Evil features a memorable riff, a fantastic guitar solo and an intro heavily inspired by Holst’s Mars The Bringer Of War.

Many songs here are longer than the typical NWoBHM fair, the complex prog influences adding a depth that many with a stronger punk ethos didn’t have. The direction changes in an individual track make it more encompassing, and the guitar layering and interplay works really well. Harris was also a strong vocalist who, like the rhythm section, perfect for the band at the time.

Overall Lightning To The Nations is a solid and strong album that proved to be incredibly influential, not just on Metallica. The blend of influences is perfect, and this album is essential listening.

The band signed to MCA for 1982’s Borrowed Time, another fantastic album, if a little more commercial, but with a 2 year wait and a label perhaps not suited to the band, the writing was soon on the wall.

This album has been reissued several times, new mixes and new art, all long out of print. This expanded release puts the bonus tracks from earlier releases onto disc two, various single A and B sides help complete the period, while the bonus tracks on disc 1 are previously lost original mixes. Interesting to hear, a little more rough’n’ready but still worth. Factor in the digipak and booklet, you get a reissue that I’d recommend to any rock fan. *****

Review by Joe Geesin

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