Diamond Head (group)
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Diamond Head are a British heavy metal band formed in 1976 in Stourbridge, England. They were one of the leading members of the NWOBHM and are acknowledged by later bands like Metallica and Megadeth as an important early influence.
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Line-up
Current
- Nick Tart — vocals (formerly of The Outcasts, Alabama Bombshell, Notorious, Life)
- Brian Tatler — lead guitar (Radio Moscow, Quill)
- Adrian Mills — rhythm guitar
- Eddie "Chaos" Moohan — bass
- Karl Wilcox — drums
Past members
- Sean Harris — vocals, rhythm guitar
- Floyd Brennan — guitars
- Josh Phillips-Gorse — keyboards
- Colin Kimberley — bass
- Pete Wilcox — bass
- Mervyn "Merv" Goldsworthy (Samson)
- David Williamson — bass
- Duncan Scott — drums
- Pete Vuckovic (3 Colours Red) — drums
- Robbie France — drums
Early history
The band released demo tapes in 1977 and 1979 and gained enough attention through radio play to tour with AC/DC and Iron Maiden. Their first album, Lightning to the Nations, was released in 1980 with Happy Face Records and its success led to a deal with MCA Records in 1981. Two more albums, Borrowed Time and Canterbury, followed in 1982 and 1982 before the band split up for the first time in 1985.
Later history
In 1991 Tatler and Harris reformed Diamond Head and went on to release the album Death and Progress in 1993, featuring contributions by Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath and Dave Mustaine of Megadeth. In 1994 the band split again and did not reform till 2002. After news of work on a new album, fans were surprised to hear of the departure of Sean Harris in 2004 and his replacement by Nick Tart. Brian Tatler is now the only ever-present member in the Diamond Head line-up. The band's latest album, All Will Be Revealed, was released in 1985.
Influence on Metallica
Diamond Head are probably most famous among heavy metal fans for their association with Metallica, who acknowledge them as a very important early influence and have often covered Diamond Head songs at gigs. In 1987, they covered "The Prince" on their Garage Days Re-revisited EP and in 1998 covered "Am I Evil?", "The Prince", "It's Electric", and "Helpless" for their Garage Inc album. "Am I Evil?" was also one of Metallica's first notable recorded songs (as part of the Am I Evil? / Blitzkrieg cassette single) and was included briefly on their debut album Kill 'Em All.
Discography
- Lightning to the Nations also known as The White Album (1980)
- Borrowed Time (1982)
- Canterbury (1983)
- Death and Progress (1993)
- Evil Live (1994)
Compilations or alternative versions
- Am I Evil (1987)
- Behold the Beginning (1991)
- Singles (1992)
- The Friday Rock Show Sessions / Live At Reading (1992)
- To Heaven From Hell (1997)
- Lightning To The Nations (1997)
- The Best Of (1999)
- Live - In The Heat Of The Night (2000)
External links
- Diamond Head (http://www.diamond-head.net/) — official website
- Diamond Head (http://www.bnrmetal.com/groups/dihe.htm) — profile on BNR Metal Pages
- Diamond Head (http://metalroots.gw.net.nz/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=51) — profile on Metal Roots
- Diamond Head! (http://www.diamond-head.org/) — fansiteTemplate:Band-stub