Diamond Head - Live at Crewe Limelight, 28/03/02
Coming out of the late seventies / early 80's as one of the New Wave Of British Of Heavy Metal movements premiere outfits, Diamond Head are one of UK rocks biggest lesser known success stories.
Having influencing American rock giants Metallica and Megadeth, (Metallica have covered the track Helpless on 87's Garage Days EP and play Am I Evil regularly live, while Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine is preparing to launch a side project with 'Head axeman Brian Tatler) if you've never heard of 'em previously, some introduction...
After opening for Metallica at Milton Keynes Bowl and reportedly having a shocker, for these Diamond Head debut-ing live ears, the omens didn't intially sound promising. And while one wasn't at the Milton Keynes gig, its hard to believe that such events occured after this sparkling live performance.
Set opener Wild On The Streets and the encore containing Am I Evil - one of metals all time classic metal epics - are conclusive examples of where Metallica and the 'Deth got their chief inspiration from, in terms of not only songs (Megadeth's epic When on their last album The World Needs A Hero might as well be Am I Evil's twin brother), but also down to the levels of guitar distortion, tempo and solos.
Although this show is not about one hit wonders or merely the heaviest moments on the bill. If your into that way of thinking before you've even heard these diamond geezers, you better think again. Rather, the secret quality that sets them apart from the metal crowd is the diversity of their tunes.
The almost Byran Adams-esque Borrowed Time, the corking chorus of Run, star number Helpless, or the talking point of the night in the three totally electric guitar dismissed compositions, She Was My Love, Can't Help Myself and Heat Of The Night - making for a very acoustic heavy set.
While most hardcore 'Head fans would be adament for the songs to appear in their original electric form, for many others it proved a unique gig highlight, offering something ultra fresh and banishing stereotypical predejice via questions of a band such as Diamond Head with acoustic guitars forever. Contrary to what ignoramuses may say, metal bands do have such capacities, you know, regardless of name or image.
Frontman Sean Harris is a hot vocal talent, and would be the bands leading figure was it not for the guitar work of Brian Tatler - a true (albeit a much unrecognized) axe hero. Fret fluttery of the highest pegidree, no ordanary six stringer had hit the stage. But then, no ordanary band had hit the stage. This was, after all, a classic set from a classic band. May their influence continue to be recognised...
Verdict - @@@@
ANDY LAW
Coming out of the late seventies / early 80's as one of the New Wave Of British Of Heavy Metal movements premiere outfits, Diamond Head are one of UK rocks biggest lesser known success stories.
Having influencing American rock giants Metallica and Megadeth, (Metallica have covered the track Helpless on 87's Garage Days EP and play Am I Evil regularly live, while Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine is preparing to launch a side project with 'Head axeman Brian Tatler) if you've never heard of 'em previously, some introduction...
After opening for Metallica at Milton Keynes Bowl and reportedly having a shocker, for these Diamond Head debut-ing live ears, the omens didn't intially sound promising. And while one wasn't at the Milton Keynes gig, its hard to believe that such events occured after this sparkling live performance.
Set opener Wild On The Streets and the encore containing Am I Evil - one of metals all time classic metal epics - are conclusive examples of where Metallica and the 'Deth got their chief inspiration from, in terms of not only songs (Megadeth's epic When on their last album The World Needs A Hero might as well be Am I Evil's twin brother), but also down to the levels of guitar distortion, tempo and solos.
Although this show is not about one hit wonders or merely the heaviest moments on the bill. If your into that way of thinking before you've even heard these diamond geezers, you better think again. Rather, the secret quality that sets them apart from the metal crowd is the diversity of their tunes.
The almost Byran Adams-esque Borrowed Time, the corking chorus of Run, star number Helpless, or the talking point of the night in the three totally electric guitar dismissed compositions, She Was My Love, Can't Help Myself and Heat Of The Night - making for a very acoustic heavy set.
While most hardcore 'Head fans would be adament for the songs to appear in their original electric form, for many others it proved a unique gig highlight, offering something ultra fresh and banishing stereotypical predejice via questions of a band such as Diamond Head with acoustic guitars forever. Contrary to what ignoramuses may say, metal bands do have such capacities, you know, regardless of name or image.
Frontman Sean Harris is a hot vocal talent, and would be the bands leading figure was it not for the guitar work of Brian Tatler - a true (albeit a much unrecognized) axe hero. Fret fluttery of the highest pegidree, no ordanary six stringer had hit the stage. But then, no ordanary band had hit the stage. This was, after all, a classic set from a classic band. May their influence continue to be recognised...
Verdict - @@@@
ANDY LAW
