From its truly mesmerising sleeve to the classic black riffage of 'Am I Evil', Diamond Head, after the superb 'Lightning To The Nations' debut, crank up another New Wave metal classic, ominously opening with 'In The Heat Of The Night', the band effortlessly churning out a classic sounding style of rock yet at times evoking dark imagery whilst only loosely touching on anything diabolical. The band propelled by the soaring tones of Sean Harris and thunder guitars of Brian Tatler who may well have recorded his pieces in some remote dungeon! Diamond Head influenced some many metal bands, Metallica being the first to really acknowledge these Brit's, and whilst 'Borrowed Time' is more of a plundering, and at times moody sequel, anthem 'Am I Evil' will get you every time, an epic rock 'n' rolla that comes unexpectedly after the almost miserable, bluesy Zep stroll of 'Dont You Ever Leave Me', the band somehow carving out hypnotic song structures whilst all the time masked by a black curtain of mystery. Not sure what it is that makes the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene so classic but there were certainly a handful of bands, if not more, capable of releasing striking metal grooves heavily tinted with darkness. The title cut on offer here is another true hard rock epic, some wonderful melodies, the drums of Duncan Scott rattle and thud, no castle in Britain could harbour such stirring echoes.
8/10
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