Diamond Head - 'Lightning To The Nations 2020'

(Silver Lining Music)

Reviewing re-issues can be like selling ice to eskimo’s and you have to focus on bonus tracks otherwise it can feel like you’re preaching to the converted – So they are not always the easiest records to review even if they are bona fide classics!

In celebrating the fortieth anniversary of their debut cult classic NWOBHM album ‘Lightning To The Nations’, Diamond Head have decided to do something a little different with its reissue. Instead of gathering a bunch of unreleased and live tracks as a bonus addition they have rerecorded the album with the current line-up, complete with a modern-day production and a couple of brand-new covers to bulk out the album.

Sometimes re-records can lose the magic of the originals, especially if they get tinkered around with too much in the process. Diamond Head have managed to stay faithful to the originals while managing to reinvigorate and freshen the songs encompassing the bands current line-up and sound both recorded and live.

I probably prefer these new versions as it’s got a juicer production, a lot of early NWOBHM albums suffer with poor production or are under produced especially by todays standards. I would definitely actively encourage people to check out the original version as those influences on Metallica are clearer on that but there is enough difference and impact on these re-records for me to tell fans and owners of the original to get their hands on this to hear modern up to date versions of these beloved metal classics.

Chock full of furious guitars and thrash metal energy which never loses or shies away from the energy or impact of the original versions. The fuller and richer sound definitely tickles my fancy and if your new to Diamond Head you would never know these songs are forty years old as they have a fresh and modern approach. It’s definitely more representative of Diamond Head in the here and now as it never feels retro. The cover songs are also very enjoyable and don’t feel like filler, great to see them cover fellow Black Country rockers Led Zeppelin and Judas Priest!

‘Lightning To The Nations 2020’ is a fantastic kick in the ass to some beloved oldies from a band who continue to keep metal alive so you better get ready to beat your chest and echo the metal anthem of ‘Am I evil? YES, I AM!’.

10/10

Essential Track - 'Sweet and Innocent'

Review by Woody