Diamond Head – ‘Live and Electric’ (Silver Lining Music)

Diamond Head – ‘Live and Electric’ (Silver Lining Music)

NWOBHM legends Diamond Head have been part of the metal landscape for almost 50 years. The Stourbridge metallers have been the inspiration and influence of many a metal band that came in their wake. We all know the story of Lars Ulrich from Metallica being such a fan that he flew from the US as a teenager to see the band in the UK. Lars ended up befriending the band and he became part of the band’s entourage. This was a major factor in the formation of his own band. Metallica famously covered Diamond Head songs from day one and helped a new generation of metal maniacs discover Diamond Head for themselves.

This live album was recorded while supporting Saxon on their UK tour in 2022. I was at the Cardiff show and thought the band played a blinder. I also saw them at the Steelhouse festival that year and the ground was literally shaking with the low end. Very impressive.

We get a good mix of tracks that were recorded throughout the tour. The band sound energized and as relevant as ever here. You can feel the passion being put into the performances. Frontman Rasmus Bom Andersen sounds phenomenal here. His vocals bring an urgency to the band that works throughout their entire catalogue, he’s also a natural at whipping up the crowd.

Guitarist Brian Tatler needs no introduction, he’s a legend in the metal world and has now taken up residency in Saxon after founding member Paul Quinn stepped down. Tatler was a revelation at the Cardiff show, flying up and down the fretboard with ease and looking the part as the metal legend he is. The whole band sound incredible here, Paul Gaskin on bass, Andy “Abbz” Abberley, and Karl Wilcox on drums have an obvious connection and chemistry.

We get all the classics plus some newer material in the form of Belly of the Beast. The Prince, It’s Electric, Helpless, and Am I Evil? all sound reinvigorated and more powerful than ever.

This is a must for any Diamond Head fan. The production is crystal clear and punchy thanks to Jay Shredders mix. Get those horns in the air. Am I Evil? Yes, I am.

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Author: Kenny Kendrick

Mass Deception – ‘Resurrections’ (Gruesome Records)

Mass Deception – ‘Resurrections’ (Gruesome Records)

Dutch thrashers Mass Deception have been around since 2015 and have released three albums full of riffage. 2025 sees the release of their latest effort: Resurrections.

The album takes me back to a glorious time in heavy metal history, the late ‘80s. Think Flotsam & Jetsam, Testament, Sacred Reich, Sepultura, peak Metallica, and a little bit of Among the Living era Anthrax and you get an idea of what Resurrections sounds like. We get some stupendous riffs, mosh parts a plenty, and superb performances. Opener Gain of Function hits like a ton of bricks, no messing around, just full-on thrash loveliness. The breakdown riff in the middle part of the song is sublime. It had me pulling that thrash gurning face.

Selling Souls! Buying Lies! has a feel of classic Annihilator with its staccato riffs and double bass drums. Menticide starts with a melodic feel before we get more huge riffs. The production of the album is perfect, and it’s refreshing to hear the instruments sound real. No processed drums (I hate that!) and the album really does sound like it’s from the ‘80s.

Metropolis is a little interlude that could be a John Carpenter written theme from one of his films. Fantastic! 1984 kicks us back into thrasher territory with some fantastic twin guitar work from Waltmans and Banziger. Drummer Sanders plays a blinder throughout the album, his double kick drums blaze through the tracks.

The Road to Hell Leads to Rome has a more traditional heavy metal feel, with nods towards classic Judas Priest. Lyrics about religious hypocrisy are the order of the day here. Saturn is another moody instrumental piece, Ruins of Dominion highlights vocalist John Klaus, his vocal style fits perfectly in the framework of Mass Deception.

Blue Flame of Anger shows us a more melodic aspect of the band. We get some Helloween style guitar melodies as well as more Priest influenced metal. More superb drum work here from drummer Sanders. My favourite track from the album is V, superb chunky riffs, a short instrumental passage, but it’s so well done.

Resurrections is a fantastic listen, really well written songs executed in style. Get your ears around this, you won’t be sorry.

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Author: Kenny Kendrick