Customer Reviews

Behold the Beginning

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the well known Metal Blade re-mixes of "Lightning To The Nations". This is overly polished, clean sounding, has riffs chopped off, and has very little of the rawness and power of the original (LTTN). Also, don't buy the Metal Blade versions of LTTN. Either buy the vinyl, which was pressed in Germany or the blank-cover version. I hate to say this, but Metal Blade ruined a masterpeace. Anyway, find the High Vaultage version of LTTN and you will definitely be satisfied as it was mastered directly from the FIRST vinyl pressing. If you do not believe me, check out Metal Maniacs issue (Nov 98 I think..) and you will read more about it.

Basically, if you enjoy early Metallica (i.e. circa 1983-84 and the album "Kill 'Em All") then you should DEFINITELY get this album. This band is probably one of the biggest influences on early Metallica material, and from what I gather this is still one of Lars Ulrich's favorite bands, if not his TOP favorite. Reflecting this fact, Metallica has covered at least five songs off this album, four of which appear on their cover album Garage, Inc. (the fifth song I've heard them cover is "Sucking My Love"); devoting 4 of 27 covers to Diamond Head to me shows their devotion and admiration of this band!

As Lars writes in the liner notes:

"The best way to finish all this is with a quotation from the most influential journalist of the time and the creator of the term "NWOBHM" (geddit? ) and other such lost goodies, Geoff "Lyrics" Barton, who in February '80 wrote the following classic in 'Sounds' magazine about Diamond Head. ''There are more good riffs in your average single Diamond Head song than their(sic) are in the first four Black Sabbath albums.'' Strong stuff and remember, if it's too old you're too loud! "

Hadn't heard this CD in awhile as I've always been a Diamond Head fan.This Griffin pressing of 'Behold...' is basically a reissue of the band's 1981 debut 'Lightning To The Nations' lp with a couple of extra tracks tagged on,the ballad "Waited To Long" and "Play It Loud".Diamond Head has never recieved the respect nor the credit they truly deserve.After just one listen of 'Behold...',it's sure to pull you in with it's ten outstanding tracks of first rate fiery British heavy metal.In case some of you didn't know,Diamond Head was a vital part of the NWOBHM movement.Some of the killer tunes are the unforgetable "Am I Evil?","Streets Of Gold" and "Shoot Out The Lights"(brings back some hot summer night memories).I have a couple of other DH releases as I've always noticed the stellar guitar playing by Brian Tatler.I believe vocalist Sean Harris MAY be the only original member in the group left.Not sure about that.Heard that FINALLY the band did manage to play a U.S. gig sometime in 2002 at the New Jersey Metal Festival,so apparently they still exist.Should appeal to fans of Saxon,Motorhead,Iron Maiden and Samson.Their followers are notably Metallica,Flotsam&Jetsam,Danzig,Prong and maybe Metal Church.Highly recommended for all true metal heads.

I think that this is the best metal CD from the late 70's and all of the 80's(except for master of puppets) this is a true work of art. To bad diamond head is'nt well known as metallica because they deserve to be.

Like most other reviewers noted, Metallica was influenced heavily by this band (as well as another great one of the time - Budgie), and rightfully so. These guys were on the 'brink' of what the bands that followed broke in to - but were the first to do it, and they did it SO well! And to tell you, the only difference today sometimes seems to be the quality of equipment and producers, where the 'heart' behind the music seems secondary. This CD was all passion, heart and energy - no gloss and digital sound, just pure rock.

It is great to hear bands like this - kind of like listening to early Judas Priest or Iron Maiden, and seeing the 'roots' that were planted into the metal bands that followed them. I highly recommend this CD, however if you can score a copy of 'Lightning to the Nations' somehow, I understand that this sounds a lot better than this 'remixed' version...

Diamond Head is one of the best bands of the whole NWOBHM scene that's a must have title for all sorts of Metalheads . If you like METAL you have to buy this one .

Diamond Head's "Behold the Beginning" is great! I bought it after I saw that several of Metallica's Garage Days tracks were originally done by DH. I don't think it is so much metal as it is just good rock music with some crunchy guitar. Lars Ulrich (Metallica) comments in the liner notes that "Diamond Head has more riffs in one song than Black Sabbath has on a whole album", and he's right. These songs stick in your mind and run a full gamut of intensity - from "Am I Evil", the rocker always associated to Metallica, to "Waited Too Long", a convincing and melodic love ballad with nice guitar embellishments. I highly recommend it.

If there was any proof the God's in the heavens existed, this cd is it. In my personal opnion These are truly Diamond Head's greatest hits. Whether you like the pounding style of "Am I evil" Or the almost Saddness provoking "The Prince" Diamond Head truly has a way with music. Why this band never really took off is not for me to say. But if your a heavy metal fan, then come and listen to the Kings of the Metal mountian. Diamond Head.

this is a inspiring cd(more historical)for many people especially for say metallica/megadeth.gives you some insight of there writting and some style but not for everyone.maybe a good place to start listening to DH but possible not there best but it was remastered/rereleased in 87 just in time for metallica to release some more DH covers.I think DH was a vital part of music in their hayday, now ? but I like them some don't.

I very much enjoy listening to this classic British metal album.As a
musician myself,I can appreciate the effort put in to this work.The liner
notes by Lars Ulrich of Metallica are timeless.