If you are like me and started listening to metal during the mid-80’s, then your first introduction to the band Diamond Head may not have been through their own recordings, but rather their songs being covered by Metallica. Over the years, Metallica have recorded several songs by Diamond Head including “Am I Evil?”, “Helpless”, “The Prince” and “It’s Electric”, and to this day there are probably fans out there that still think those songs were written by Metallica. It’s not until you take the time to seek out the original Diamond Head recordings that you really get to appreciate how great and innovative the band were, and how influential they became to Metallica and metal in general. Their debut album Lightning To The Nations released in 1980 is simply a classic and contains all the songs covered by Metallica.
As great as Lightning To The Nations was, Diamond Head only went on to have minor success with their follow up albums due to their ever evolving sound, bad management decisions and periods of inactivity. In part, they owe a debt of gratitude to Metallica for introducing their music to a new legion of fans, however saying that, Metallica owe Diamond Head just as much respect because when it really comes down to it, Diamond Head were a less successful Metallica before Metallica was Metallica – if that makes any sense. For a comparison test just look up both bands versions of “Helpless” on Youtube and you will understand what I mean.
Here we are 39 years after the debut album, after several line-up changes and a couple of hiatuses, with the band sounding as great as ever. Hot off the heels of their self titled album released in 2016 with new lead vocalist Rasmus Bom Andersen, The Coffin Train hurtles down the tracks destroying everything in it’s path. The sound is big and booming with a crystal clear production that immediately reminds me of last years Firepower released by Judas Priest. “Belly Of The Beast” opens the album at break neck speed and is simply unrelenting. It’s enjoyably frantic and will have you shouting out ‘suffer’ along with Rasmus during the choruses. It’s definitely one of my favorites off the album and a great opener to kick things off. “The Messenger” starts off with a riff and style sounding similar to W.A.S.P.’s “Wild Child” before a blistering lead break attack transitions to a slow tempo verse and chunky chorus. “The Coffin Train” starts of calmly whilst being broken up with some big power chords, before shifting to a simple but effective riff during the solo which continues to the end of the song.
“Shades Of Black” another of my favorites, has some big chunky riffs as well as atmospheric melodic guitars and a mini bass solo leading us into some great guitar work. “The Sleeper (Prelude)” is a short instrumental / thematic cut scene where the music builds along with someone shouting like they are rallying the troops before an attack, though I am unable to decipher what is being said. “The Sleeper” starts off calmly with subdued vocals and a guitar arpeggio before pumping up the power with a great riff and chorus. It’s another great song transitioning between calm moments to powerful regularly, before taking us on an even more energetic journey towards the end of the song. “Death By Design” has a very familiar heard-it-before type riff intro, but as with many songs on The Coffin Train, the transitions to other complimentary riffs and chords is just superb as are the lead breaks. I prefer Rasmus’ vocal style the way it sounds on “Death By Design” – big, loud and energetic, compared the subdued style on songs such as “The Coffin Train”.
“Serrated Love” is a mid-tempo offering, again with big chunky riffs and a nice groove. A midsection breakdown adds some atmosphere before a muted guitar progression takes us into another great guitar solo. Just for something different, Diamond Head add an acoustic flamenco type outro which actually transitions nicely to the next song “The Phoenix”. “The Phoenix” opens with some clean acoustic guitar notes, but they are only short lived as we are again battered with a massively chunky riff. What else can I say – it’s another great song, another great vocal performance and contains more great guitar work. Diamond Head are firing on all cylinders. “Until We Burn” closes the album with a touch of atmosphere, introducing synthesizer to accompany a rhythm that is predominantly driven by the bass and drums. The song is a much calmer affair than anything else on The Coffin Train giving it an epic vibe. The guitars take a backseat role providing simple complimentary chords until the choruses, melodies and solos.
Overall The Coffin Train is a great album with superb guitar work, a tight rhythm section and vocals that soar like an eagle. Admittedly, I missed hearing the 2016 self titled album so I will have to track myself down a copy. I will however go out on a limb and say that for me personally, on The Coffin Train, Diamond Head have outshone anything Metallica have released in decades.
Tracklist:
Belly Of The Beast
The Messenger
The Coffin Train
Shades Of Black
The Sleeper (Prelude)
The Sleeper
Death By Design
Serrated Love
The Phoenix
Until We Burn
