\n
![\"diamondheadcover1\"](\"https:\/\/themetalden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/diamondheadcover1-300x300.png\")
<\/a>\n
![\"TMDDOTCOM\"](\"https:\/\/themetalden.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TMDDOTCOM-1-300x31.jpg\")
<\/a>\n
\nIconic heavy metal band DIAMOND HEAD today confirms June 3 as the North American release date for their new, self-titled album. Recorded at Vigo Studios in Birmingham, the album is the first to feature new vocalist Rasmus Bom Andersen and ends an eight-year silence for the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) legends. Direct pre-orders for the album will launch shortly.<\/p>\n
Prior to 2014, the thought of a new album was bleak. Guitarist and band founder Brian Tatler reveals, \u201cI had no interest in doing another record but after working with Ras on the 2014 European tour that suddenly changed. I wanted to make a record with him. He\u2019s a confident singer and he\u2019s not trying to fill anyone\u2019s shoes.\u201d Recording of the album commenced last July with the band and engineer Adam Beddow at the helm. Tatler notes, \u201cI gave Rasmus some music to listen to last January. He selected songs or riffs that he wanted to work on and we began rehearsing. We whittled things down to fourteen songs by April.\u201d Eleven songs were selected in the end for the album; all mixed by Dave Nicholls and mastered by John Davis at London\u2019s Metropolis.<\/p>\n
The album\u2019s lyrical focus details political and environmental themes. Its opening and closing songs specifically draw attention to the world\u2019s self-destructive path. Tatler comments, \u201cthe body of the album explores other subtopics in more depth along with songs dealing with lighter subjects that are not so heavy on the heart.\u201d Vocalist Rasmus Bom Andersen affirms, \u201cwe made the album with the band\u2019s fans foremost in mind from start to finish. We wanted to write songs that would have ties to the best parts of all the early albums.\u201d<\/p>\n
DIAMOND HEAD are considered one of NWOBHM\u2019s early members. Formed in 1976, their songs influenced a slew of early 80\u2019s thrash metal bands, in particular Metallica who recorded the band\u2019s \u201cAm I Evil\u201d as a b-side to their 1984 Creeping Death single and again included on the band\u2019s multi-platinum 1998 covers album Garage Inc. Tatler joined members of Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax at the 2011 Sonisphere Festival. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich addressed the crowd saying, \u201cif it wasn\u2019t for Brian Tatler, there\u2019s a pretty good chance none of us would be here tonight.\u201d Later speaking about the event Tatler said, \u201cif it wasn\u2019t for Metallica, Diamond Head would not have had this second wind.\u201d Metallica would record three additional DIAMOND HEAD songs \u2013 \u201cHelpless\u201d (Garage Days, 1987), \u201cThe Prince\u201d (\u201cOne Single b-side, 1989), \u201cIt\u2019s Electric\u201d (Garage Inc., 1998).<\/p>\n
Diamond Head is currently receiving widespread acclaim from European media. \u201cNot only is this a new beginning, but it\u2019s their best work since their first two official albums,\u201d declares Record Collector\u2019s Mark Taylor. \u201cFilled with chugging riffs, high flying solos and bombastic hooks, it just rocks in glorious timeless fashion,\u201d adds Classic Rock. Tatler says, \u201cthe album\u2019s energy and excitement are perfect. It echoes our early albums but as always pushes forward.\u201d <\/p>\n
The album\u2019s North American release follows a late April European release as the band kicks off a healthy series of live performances to support the album. Dates are already confirmed through September including Sweden Rock on June 8. The band most recently appeared as a performer for the 6th edition of 7000 Tons Of Metal. The band has toured North America twice; first in 2011 including Toronto\u2019s Heavy TO Festival and Montreal\u2019s Heavy MTL Fest, and again in 2013.<\/p>\n
Track Listing for Diamond Head:
\n1. Bones
\n2. Shout At The Devil
\n3. Set My soul On fire
\n4. See you Rise
\n5. All The Reasons You Live
\n6. Wizards Sleeve
\n7. Our Time Is Now
\n8. Speed
\n9. Blood On My Hands
\n10. Diamonds
\n11. Silence<\/p>\n