Diamond Head Live : Brolleys

 After months that seem like aeons, the classier breed of new HM bands are beginning to show their colours, taking a step beyond local legend status. Diamond Head have already enjoyed press at the hands of the mighty Barton, but for all of you who winced and turned off at the bit about more riffs in a single number than on an entire Black Sabbath album - turn again! Sure, there's a lethal riffing power and a crashing cataclysmic roar (etc.) to Diamond Head, but it's tempered with thought and class, lifting them on to that precarious hard rock/heavy metal borderline. 

Brian Tatler's the resident guitar hero, loud and proud and bristling with electric power laid over the pounding rhythm of Colin Kimberley (bass) and Duncan Scott (drums), Brian and Colin going comprehensively crazy in a flurry of flying hair and dynamic rock poses. Basically I'd hate them for it if they weren't so astonishingly good at it. 

Sean Harris I've already raved about (see the "Brute Force" album review) and suffice it to say that it's all true - he delivers with a vengeance. the power's unremitting but he has variety too, a vocal battering ram of seductive style. Jackie readers will wet their knickers but HM demons will rave just as much - albeit differently I hope. 

Occasionally Duncan Scott's volume and style puts him firmly in John Kongos territory, and the ghost of Zeppelin past is never too far away, but you don't worry overly about derivation when you're getting blown away, and Diamond Head do that with a vengeance. 

It's not throwaway boogie and thrash, it's real riffing power of frightening intensity, and if Diamond Head don't pin you back to the wall you've got your feet nailed to the floor. 

(Paul Suter, Sounds 20/09/80)