Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Diamond Head
Title
Diamond Head
Type
LP/EP
Company
Dissonance Productions
YOR
2016
Style
Traditional
4/29/2016 - Review by: Eric Compton
True classic metal played to perfection by talented musicians
The legendary Diamond Head just keeps surviving by thriving through lineup changes and lack of label support. This time we get another new vocalist in newcomer Rasmus Bom Andersen. The rest of the lineup has been in the band for about ten to twelve years excluding original guitarist Brian Tatler, original alumni since ’76. Do they still have the fire? One listen to opener “Bones” should mute most opponents. The strings of Tatler and Abberley are menacing bombastic cacophonies behind a lively Wilcox kit. This record is the embodiment of what we need and want – true classic metal played to perfection by talented musicians. These aren’t pro-tool warriors who can phone in the music. This is the ESSENTIAL Diamond Head sound (thus the self-titled album?) that I have been clamoring for. "Shout at the Devil" can never be mistaken for Crue's sonic statement but it does possess an addictive bluesy rattle-and-shake with Andersen’s commanding "Shout" as uplifting and personal redemption. "Set My Soul on Fire" chugs along like an assembly line making really heavy things. It is a slower-tempo groovy piece that allows a little underlining bass whack that hammers the lyrical vibe. I can hear a bit of religious overtones throughout the record, evident on "All the Reasons You Live" (swords will reign from the Heavens and kill off all the misery). Summarizing an album like this is extremely difficult to do. I think it is fleshed out brilliantly with some mid-pace to groove-laden pieces playing well as one solid play through. I like it in its entirety and rarely pick songs. In that way it reminds me of Ye Olde Metal Vinyl. Just put it on and give it a full spin. Utter perfection when you do.
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    5 :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: DIAMOND HEAD
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Diamond Head
2016
Dissonance Productions
Eric Compton4/29/2016
5

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: DIAMOND HEAD
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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