"A slick Japanese CD transfer of Diamond Head's classic 1982 "Borrowed Time" LP, in the Euro-release running order (the U.S. release LP had "Call Me" leading the A-side and some other tracks moved around). Sounds as fresh as ever. Not as raw as the original "Lightning to the Nations" vinyl, but better than some of the mid-80's remixes by DH guitarist Brian Tatler that Metal Blade has been trotting out. If the opening of "Am I Evil" doesn't make your hair stand up, check your pulse. Be ready for the definitive recording of "In the Heat of the Night." Includes lyrics, original album cover art and interior pix. Also has an insert(mostly in Japanese)listing other disks in MCA Japan's "NWOBHM" series. Tygers of Pan Tang, anyone?"
GREAT CD
CLASSICMETAL | NY | 10/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great album very catchy and yes melodic but it does have its heavy moments not all NWOBHM was heavy. All of the songs to me are memorable with borrowed time being my favorite. This cd was issued through japan just like Canterbury and are long out of print. The good news is that Metal Mind a labl from Poland is reisseuing both titles in digi pak format with bonus tracks."
GREATEST ALBUM
Michael Courtney | San Antonio, Texas United States | 02/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"... I own the MCA release on vinyl that was released in the USA. This is one of my favorite albums ever released period! I bought this simply because of the Rodney Matthew's cover art depicting Michael Moorcock's Elric. What lay inside the album did not dampen my expectations. The precision of the band, their story telling, the music, it was all a finely woven tapestry of metal and fantasy....Sean Harris portrays a vivid picture with his soul searching vocals and Brian Tatler adds great solos and rhythms with his guitar. The rhythm section builds the tempo and the background vocals and harmonies are great. There isn't a bad song on this album, but my favorites are "Am I Evil", "To Heaven From Hell", and "Borrowed Time". The rest of the album is great music, as well, but the Elric tie-ins are special to me. "Call Me", "Lightning to the Nations, and "In the Heat of the Night" should have all been hits! "Don't You Ever Leave Me" is also a very good song. If you have the money to spend or buy great music, this is worthy of your money. This is by far the best album Diamond Head ever released!This is my opinion based on 6 albums and 4 different CDs, so, please understand that I am somewhat biased. This was also the first recording I had ever heard by Diamond Head and I have to admit I was hooked and still search for their music."
Essential NWOBHM Reissue
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 11/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Iron Maiden is of course the quintessential New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), and Saxon and Def Leppard are other high profile bands that emerged from that scene, but to me, Diamond Head is the band that will always be synonymous with everything the NWOBHM represented.
1982's Borrowed Time is Diamond Head's second full length album, and it is an amazing slab of British metal. Sean Harris's soaring, dramatic vocals against the backdrop of Brian Tatler's chugging guitars and those dark, mystical lyrics made for a powerful and unforgettable sound whose influence was felt an ocean away. You can totally picture the wide-eyed teenage James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich listening to songs like "Lightning to the Nations" and "Am I Evil" and channeling that spirit into what would become Metallica. Borrowed Time is at once epic and gritty, streetwise and bluesy (see the closing minutes of "Don't You Ever Leave Me"), and is the kind of album you'd hand someone to say "THIS is what the NWOBHM scene was all about!"
Now, more than 25 years after it was originally released, Borrowed Time still stands as a masterpiece of the NWOBHM scene, and a mandatory purchase for anyone interested in classic British heavy metal, especially now that it has been reissued.
NOTE: Metal Mind reissued Borrowed Time in 2008, giving the album a much needed sonic upgrade. In addition to the digitally remastered sound, the album features seven bonus tracks. You get the b-sides from the 1982 Four Cuts EP ("Trick or Treat", "Dead Reckoning", and the classic "Shoot Out the Lights"), the complete 1982 In the Heat of the Night single (the title track plus live versions of "Play It Loud" and "Sweet and Innocent"), and a 13-minute interview with Sean Harris and Colin Kimberly. The reissue comes in a numbered digipack with expanded liner notes, and is limited to 2000 numbered copies.