Around the 48-second mark of album opener “Blind” Jonathan Davis screams “Are you ready?” Looking back at 30 years of history and an ever-shifting heavy music landscape, holy shit, Davis could not have realized how impactful of a statement that would become. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Diamond Head
ALBUM REVIEW: Blitzkrieg – Blitzkrieg
Blitzkrieg, the on-and-off NWOBHM veterans much loved by Metallica, are back with their new self-titled album (Mighty Music). Much like AC/DC do and Motörhead, did, Blitzkrieg stick to what they know – which is classic metal of a decidedly eighties vintage that fans of Diamond Head, Judas Priest, and Saxon will know and appreciate.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Saxon – Hell, Fire and Damnation
As the old saying goes, change is the only constant, and when you’ve been around as long as NWOBHM legends Saxon, then some form of adjustment – enforced or voluntary – is usually never too far away. For the last eighteen years, the Yorkshire veterans have enjoyed their lengthiest spell ever of an unchanged line-up. This impressive run came to an end earlier this year when guitarist and co-founder Paul Quinn declared a hiatus.
Arriving from suitably prestigious stock, Quinn’s replacement (for this record) is none other than fellow NWOBHMer Brian Tatler, axeman for Midlands metal pioneers Diamond Head. Settling in with unerring ease, Tatler strikes up an instant rapport with co-guitarist Doug Scarratt, the pair going hell bent for leather on their first record together.
ALBUM REVIEW: FesterDecay – Reality Rotten to the Core
Look, this is a genuine effort to fend off waves of tweets and horseshit comments like “well, everybody in metal borrows from somebody” or “not everybody is reinventing the wheel.” As someone who’s only been listening to extreme music for the last twenty-five years, I think I get it. Metallica? More like we love Diamond Head. Slayer? Oh, you mean Venom if they actually knew how to play their instruments? Sepultura? Slayer if they were even better at their craft?
Saxon Shares New Single and Video “Black Is The Night” – New Headline Tour with Diamond Head Incoming
Heavy Metal legends Saxon have shared a new single “Black Is The Night” – from their latest album Carpe Diem. You can read our review here. The band has announced a full UK/European headline tour this autumn, with special guest Diamond Head. Tickets are available now at the links below. “Black Is The Night” can be seen here.
Saxon Books “Seize The Day” Headline Tour with Diamond Head
NWOBHM greats Saxon are thrilled to announce a full UK headline tour in November 2022. General sale will go live on Friday 10:00 AM GMT on all main platforms at the links below. The tour will see the band supporting their forthcoming album Carpe Diem acorss 14 cities throughout the country, with Diamond Head starring as special guest. Carpe Diem will be released on 4th February via Silver Lining Music and is now available for pre-order.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: KK’S Priest – Sermons Of The Sinner
It’s startling to think that it’s already been ten years since legendary guitarist KK Downing left heavy metal icons Judas Priest in a well documented and not entirely amicable parting of the ways. After taking some time out, in 2018 Downing established KK’s Steel Mill, a music and arts venue where onstage alongside former Priest members Les Binks and Tim “Ripper” Owens, plus Hostile guitarist AJ Mills and former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, the foundations for solo debut Sermons of the Sinner (EX1 Records) were laid the following year.
FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Open Air 2021 Part III
Having shown resounding and unequivocal support for every single band so far, the Bloodstock faithful are still raring to go after four full days of partying. As battle commences one final time, highlights on the Sophie Stage include the hard hitting Midlands retro-fuzz of Wolf Jaw, Brighton doomsters Grave Lines, the angry sounding double punch of Vexed and Pist, a debut performance from symphonic death metallers Ghosts of Atlantis, and Manchester black metal mob Necronautical.
FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Open Air 2021 Part 2
FRIDAY
With energy levels and festival excitement still high, quality acts such as Welsh black metallers Agrona, Norfolk thrashers Shrapnel, Liverpool doom/sludge merchants Conan, and a reinvigorated and retooled Evile invade the Sophie Lancaster Stage, decimating all before them. Birmingham grindcore legends Napalm Death complete the day’s entertainment with a reliably devastating set, the crowd gathered outside the tent almost as huge as the one inside.
FESTIVAL REVIEW: Bloodstock Open Air 2021 Part 1
Sure, we might be having to follow a series of new Coronavirus safety protocols which may or not become a regular thing for live shows, but we’re back. And judging by the size of the opening day crowds spilling out from the main entrance, car parks and campsites, not a moment too soon. Since its inception Bloodstock Open Air has always attracted early birds who like nothing more than to arrive long before the gates even open, but this time feels different. Everyone seems to be here early. Coiled springs desperate for release. The festival’s twentieth anniversary isn’t just a celebration of metal this year, it’s a genuine escape.