Search - Diamond Head :: Behold the Beginning

Heavy Metal History - period!

Michael J Harrington | Phoenix, Arizona USA | 12/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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 - 'Behold The Beginning' (Griffin)

Mike Reed | USA | 11/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Diamond Head, Behold the Beginning

Mike | Kosovo (deployed with the Army) | 10/31/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."