Diamond Head, the heavy metal band, play;
Egremont Tow Bar Inn February 29
Warrington Lion March 1
Nuneaton 77 Club 3
Leicester University 7.
(Sounds, 01/03/80)

Happy Face
MMDH 120
1980

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. Shoot Out The Lights
2. Helpless

DIAMOND HEAD: 'Shoot Out The Lights' (Happy Face)
Moody opening chords ... building up ... to the big KERBLAAM? Er, actually, no. Just a twinkly little Wishbone Ashenfaced guitar solo, and polite vocals. Aww, c'mon boys, can't you let RRRIPP? Not fit to bang your head against polystyrene for. The satanic 'Am I Evil' is what they want, surely?
(Betty Page, Sounds, 10/05/80)

Diamond Head have just completed their first album, and are mixing it in preparation for mid June release. The album is titled 'Lightening To The Nations' (spelling, eh?) and the title cut will be put out as a single just prior to release.
(Sounds, 17/05/80)

Diamond Head, the four-piece Birmingham heavy metal combo lionised in Sounds recently, play Warrington Lion July 19.
(Sounds 05/07/80)

Diamond Head will be doing 'odd' dates this month, namely;
Swindon Brunel Rooms August 5
Thornaby Conservative Club 7
We see what they mean. Their second single 'Sweet And Innocent' is now out on Media.
(Sounds, 02/08/80)

Diamond Head, whose single 'Sweet And Innocent' has just been released, play;
Middlesbrough Easton Recreation Ground August 25
Newcastle Mayfair 29
Burton-on-Trent 76 Club September 5.
(Sounds, 23/08/80)

Media
SCREEN 1
1980

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. Sweet And Innocent
2. Streets Of Gold

Happy Face
MMDH 1015
1980
White label

Happy Face
MMDH 1015
1980
Printed label

Wolfe
WR 9004
1984
German

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. Lightning To The Nations
2. The Prince
3. Sucking My Love
4. Am I Evil
5. Helpless
6. Sweet And Innocent
7. It's Electric

The Happy Face lps came in plain white sleeves, each one signed by at least one member of the band

Diamond Head "Diamond Head" (Media) ***1/2
Originally recorded as a national finished project to hawk round the majors, this album suffered the effect of bad sound and now finds itself available as a mail order treat for the fans and the merely curious.

But fear not, it's not outrageously duff or anything like that, there's just a certain sparkle missing, as the owners of the Marlborough Diamond are doubltless thinking right now. It's not the stunning tour de force it might be, but it's well worth every cheap-at-the-price penny it's currently available for.

The D.Head boys present an unusual contradiction in terms - a heavy metal band playing hard rock songs, and for the most part it works remarkably well. Something that didn't strike me at their recent Brolleys gig in Richmond was the leaning toward Schenker-period UFO, but on vinyl they swoop and roar in all the same places, with guitarist Brian Tatler more than nodding in Schenker's direction.

But in no way is this an accusation of rip-off, more a case of great bands thinking alike. "Sweet and innocent" has the Schenker-like riffing as it's base, with Sean Harris declaiming the lyrics in a savage pout, a masterful blend of poise, pose and power that augurs well for his future, and the epic "Sucking my love" (complete with cries of 'tasty' - what can the boy mean?) is almost "Rock bottom" revisited, full of powerful riffing and reflective soloing.

Elsewhere though it's impossible to draw the parallel, and the likes of the angular attack of "It's electric" are sheer razor-edged originality, and although the riffing of "Am I evil" may bring Sabbath to mind it's far more charismatic than those old duffers ever were.

This may be a slightly lack-lustre recording, but only marginally so (I've heard international releases much worse than this), and I recommend the investment. After all they're going to be stars.
(Paul Suter, Sounds 20/09/80)

Diamond Head
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)

Diamond Head play;
Salisbury City Hall February 26
Plymouth Fiesta March 2
Lincoln Drill Hall 5
Liverpool Warehouse 6.
(Record Mirror, 14/02/81)

DIAMOND MINING
From Keele, Staffs, comes this heartfelt plea: "A while ago, an album by Diamond Head was advertised in Sounds, though at the time I coutdn't afford to buy it. Now, however, quite apart from monetary problems, I seem to be in the predicament of not being able to obtain the record at all since it seems to have vanished without trace. I'm desperate to get hold of it if it is still avaliable, so I'm wondering if you could tell me whether it is, and if so from where?"

It seems you've run into that not uncommon problem of the limited pressing. This one led me a merry dance for some time; the fact that it didn't seem to be available through any of the major distributors or outlets for small labels and hadn't made any showing on the indie charts looked pretty conclusive pointers to it being an item few in numbers and limited in distribution. I pumped Alan Jones, who compiles Sounds indie charts and through doing so monitors virtually every small label release currently on the scene. He confirmed that it wasn't to be found in the shops and was certain that he'd been told it was a release put out by the band themselves, which had only been obtainabie direct by mail order. Naturally, when they'd sold out, they didn't advertise it any more.

It seems likely that the album might get a second pressing if it sold well first time around: maybe Diamond Head can let us know? I'm sure a lot of readers who might never have been aware of the album at all until now would be interested in getting hold of a copy. In the meantime, I do know that Diamond Head have a new single and that this is most certainly widely avalaible from any record shop with a bit of imagination. The disc is 'Waited Too Long'/'Play It Loud' (Diamond Head DHM 004).
(Barry Lazell, Sounds, 07/03/81)

D.H.M.
DHM 004
1981

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. Waited Too Long
2. Play It Loud

D.H.M.
DHM 005
1981

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. Diamond Lights
2. We Won't Be Back
3. I Don't Got
4. It's Electric

MCA
DHMP 101
1982

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. Call Me
2. Dead Reckoning

Promo only

MCA
DHM 101
1982

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. Call Me
2. Trick Or Treat
3. Dead Reckoning
4. Shoot Out The Lights

MCA
DHMT 101
1982

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. Call Me
2. Trick Or Treat
3. Dead Reckoning
4. Shoot Out The Lights

MCA
DHM 102
1982

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. In The Heat Of The Night
2. Play It Loud
3. Sweet And Innocent
4. Interview

Two 7" in a gatefold sleeve

MCA
DHMT 102
1982

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. In The Heat Of The Night
2. Play It Loud

MCA
DH 1001
1982
Gatefold sleeve, inner sleeve + poster

MCA
MCL 1783
1982
Single sleeve

MCA
MCA 5382
1982
U.S.A.

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. In The Heat Of The Night
2. To Heaven From Hell
3. Call Me
4. Lightning To The Nations
5. Borrowed Time
6. Don't You Ever Leave Me
7. Am I Evil

Diamond Head drummer Duncan Scott has left the band. He was an original member of the band and one version of his departure was that he was fired after arguments during the recording of the band's next album.

But more official sources who confirmed his departure said that it was 'entirely amicable'. No replacement has yet been announced although the band are due to release a new single on MCA during July and a full announcement of the band's new line-up and future plans is expected in a week or two.

Scott meanwhile is rumoured to have joined Split Beaver.

STOP PRESS: Diamond Head bass player Colin Kimberley is also reported to have left the band. Further details next week.
(Sounds 02/07/83)

MCA
DHM 103
1983

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Colin Kimberley (B)
Merv Goldsworthy (B)
Duncan Scott (D)
Robbie France (D)
Jamie Lane (D)
Chris Heaton (K)

1. Makin' Music
2. Interview

MCA
DHMT 103
1983

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Colin Kimberley (B)
Merv Goldsworthy (B)
Duncan Scott (D)
Robbie France (D)
Jamie Lane (D)
Chris Heaton (K)

1. Makin' Music
2. Makin' Music

MCA
DHMT 103
1983

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Colin Kimberley (B)
Merv Goldsworthy (B)
Duncan Scott (D)
Robbie France (D)
Jamie Lane (D)
Chris Heaton (K)

1. Makin' Music

Promo only, stamped sleeve

MCA
DH 1002
1983

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Colin Kimberley (B)
Merv Goldsworthy (B)
Duncan Scott (D)
Robbie France (D)
Jamie Lane (D)
Chris Heaton (K)

1. Makin' Music
2. Out Of Phase
3. The Kingmaker
4. One More Night
5. To The Devil His Due
6. Knight Of The Swords
7. Ishmael
8. I Need Your Love
9. Canterbury

+ Inserts

MCA
DHM 104
1983

MCA
DHMP 104
1983
Picture disc

MCA
105 835
1983
German

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Colin Kimberley (B)
Merv Goldsworthy (B)
Duncan Scott (D)
Robbie France (D)
Jamie Lane (D)
Chris Heaton (K)

1. Out Of Phase
2. The Kingmaker

MCA
DHMT 104
1983

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Colin Kimberley (B)
Merv Goldsworthy (B)
Duncan Scott (D)
Robbie France (D)
Jamie Lane (D)
Chris Heaton (K)

1. Sucking My Love
2. Out Of Phase

Essential
ESSCD 192
1993

Castle
CMRCD 241
2001

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Karl Wilcox (D)
Pete Vuckovic (B)

1. Starcrossed
2. Truckin'
3. Calling Your Name
4. I Can't Help Myself
5. Paradise
6. Dust
7. Run
8. Wild On The Streets
9. Damnation Street
10. Home

Heavy Metal
WKFMXD 92
1994

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. Am I Evil
2. Heat Of The Night
3. Don't You Ever Leave Me
4. Borrowed Time
5. To Heaven From Hell
6. Dead Reckoning
7. Lightning To The Nations
8. Sucking My Love

Half Moon
HMNCD 046
1999

1. It's Electric
2. Shoot Out The Lights
3. Helpless
4. Sucking My Love
5. In The Heat Of The Night
6. Call Me
7. Lightning To The Nations
8. Borrowed Time
9. Am I Evil
10. Makin Music
11. Out Of Phase
12. Ishmael
13. To The Devil His Due

Zoom Club
ZCRCD 27
2000

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Karl Wilcox (D)
Eddie Chaos (B)

1. Lightning To The Nations
2. Feels Good
3. I Can't Help Myself
4. In The Heat Of The Night
5. Calling Your Name
6. She Comes Down
7. Sucking My Love
8. Let Me Down Easy
9. Borrowed Time
10. Run
11. To Heaven From Hell
12. Makin' Music
13. Home
14. Medley:Helpless/My Generation/
    Oh Well/Hocus Pocus/Riff Raff/It's Electric

Plus 2nd CD of live video recording

Castle
CMRCD 239
2001

Sean Harris (V)
Brian Tatler (G)
Duncan Scott (D)
Colin Kimberley (B)

1. Lightning To The Nations
2. The Prince
3. Sucking My Love
4. Am I Evil
5. Sweet And Innocent
6. It's Electric
7. Helpless
8. Shoot Out The Lights
9. Streets Of Gold
10. Waited Too Long
11. Play It Loud
12. Diamond Lights
13. We Won't Be Back
14. I Don't Got

CD cover has facsimile autographs and comes in a card slip case