Lightning to the Nations

Any serious metalhead is more than familiar with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene, and any serious metalhead should be familiar with Diamond Head. Lightning to the Nations marked the album debut of the band from Stourbridge and is one of the real highlights of the scene. Being highly regarded by many Metal bands, Metallica and Megadeth namely, is due mostly to this release.

Sean Harris' high, somewhat over the top vocals are some of the best of the kind, and the bass playing of Colin Kimberley is actually pretty catchy. Brian Tatler's guitarwork is the backbone of the album of course, containing some of the most memorable riffs ever, and also some nice solos. Tatler epitomises Heavy Metal guitar playing here.

The album opens with 'Lightning to the Nations' a catchy, typical NWOBHM number that isn't particulary fast. The chorus jumps out at you as being pretty dramatic, "to the natiiiooons!" Moments like that are all over this album. This one is a solid opener.

Following is 'The Prince', one of the best songs on here. The song doesn't waste anytime getting started, providing nice headbanging material the second it begins, soon with Tatler soloing over the intro riff, then comes the main riff. Very catch stuff! "Time to die!" Also look out for that guitar melody at about the 3:35 mark, you know you love it. More than anyother song are the basslines so good too here. Epic, heavy, catchy, this is what Metal is all about.

Does the album let up after that? No! 'Sucking My Love' has one of the most memorable riffs of the album, maybe that's why so many bands have ripped it off! The song goes on for over 9 minutes, managing to hold the listeners attention throughout. Here demonstrates some of Harris' cheesiest moments "Oooohhh yeah yeah yeah". Does anyone do this better than him? The guitar solos(three?) are phenomenal here. There is even a psycadelic-sounding section in this song, similar maybe to 'Fly to the Rainbow' that is strangely appropriate. Another album highlight here.

Then comes the peak of the album, 'Am I Evil' a classic Metal song if there ever was one. There is that unforgettable double guitar intro, which is as 'evil' as Diamond Head would ever get. After some flashy guitar work, comes THE riff, and it is absolutely crushing. If you don't like that, you aren't Metal, period. Even though the chorus is kind of cheesy(its effectiveness isn't in question however!), the song also contains the best lyrics of any on the album. And the guitar solo kicks ass. It just doesn't get much better than this, not only the best song on the album, but the best NWOBHM song.

'Sweet and Innocent' is a very innocent song as it turns out, when compared to the four song previous at least. Here you've got a midpaced Rock N' Roll song more than a crushing Metal one. Not bad, but definately a step down or five from the last song.

'It's Electric' picks up the pace a bit, the intro riff is nothing special compared to previously heard ones, but is good nonetheless. Here you have Rock n Roll lyrics about becoming a star. This song is most similar to the the first one of the album and has a similar dramatic chorus. Just as much as the guitar playing carries the song, the simple drum beats of this song really standout.

The album concludes with 'Helpless' an appropriate finish, it's fast, but with some serious tempo changes that slow it down in places. It's catchy, and just about sums up the album as a whole. The song is also one of the best to sing along to.

Regarding the production, it is about perfect. The guitars dominate, but not overly so, as the bass and everything come in very clear. Yet it still has just a tad of rawness in the sound. In conclusion the band's sound is captured wonderfully.

If you like catchy, traditional Heavy Metal/Power Metal you can't ignore this one, it has some of the best Metal moments you'll ever hear. Thrash fans should dig this too, it is very similar to early Metallica(no coincidence, they were obviously influenced by Diamond Head and covered half of this album). Why not a higher rating? The second half of the album cannot keep up the excellence of the first four songs. That being said, there isn't a bad song on here, don't hesitate to pick this one up!