British heavy metal icons Diamond Head release the animation video for “The Messenger”. The track is the second single taken from the upcoming live album Live and Electric out this week.
“‘The Messenger (Live at the Cambridge Corn Exchange)’ Is a very powerful track. It started life in my head when I was watching Cradle of Filth live on the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise” remarks founding member and lead guitarist Brian Tatler. “They played a song with a fantastic groove which reminded me of Tobacco Road by the Nashville Teens. I thought to myself ‘that’s brilliant, I will try and come up with a riff for a groove like that’ and so I came up with The Messenger riff (everything comes from somewhere). We recorded it for the album The Coffin Train and played it live on the 2022 UK and European tour opening for Saxon. It always sounded good live, even next to classic Diamond Head songs like ‘The Prince’ and ‘In the Heat of the Night’. We recorded all the shows on the UK tour and thought this version at Cambridge was the mightiest. Heavy Metaaaaaaaal!”
Watch/Listen to the second single, “The Messenger” here – video by widely acclaimed visual arts icon, Costin Chioreanu.
Watch the previously released “Helpless” here – video by Jay Shredder.
With a thunderous crunch and genuine ‘in-your-face’ production that places the PA up against your ears, Live and Electric, is a live album that delivers every nuance of that four-letter word thanks to a song selection that covers Diamond Head’s seminal career, and a sound that leaves you breathless in the stalls and smelling the sweat and leather of a classic British Heavy metal night.
Recorded in 2022 on the band’s tour with Saxon, Live and Electric takes in performances from Aberdeen, Blackburn, York, Cambridge, Cardiff and Bexhill, creating in the process an unmistakably British energy which is superbly recorded and mixed by Jay Shredder, with singer/frontman Rasmus Bom Andersen mastering. By now, the rock and metal scene knows all about Brian Tatler, whose riffs have genuinely defined a genre as well as influencing one of the world’s biggest-ever rock bands, Metallica, but the contribution of Andersen to these Diamond Head performances is explosive as he bursts with power, presence and personality.
The seamless way in which old classics such as “The Prince” and newer stormers like “Belly Of The Beast” thunder down the tracks is a testimony to the lock-tight no-nonsense foundation that Paul Gaskin (bass), Andrew “Abbz” Abberley (rhythm and lead guitar), and Karl Wilcox on drums add to the alchemy and the balance of respect plus reinvigoration for treasures “It’s Electric”, “Helpless” and “Am I Evil?” is electrifying. Live and Electric is a true roots representation of Britain’s metal communities, and a wonderful live celebration of Diamond Head’s distinctly British heavy metal music which feels as fresh, vital, and important now as it ever has before.
“With its catchy riff […], I can imagine sore necks for the punters who swirl their head and hair around going bananas!
It’s headbanging heaven” – [FISTFUL OF METAL]
“James Hetfield loves them, they are for sure NWOBHM veterans and they are coming with a new live record after 20 years
The sound is real and raw – wonderful. This record is a MUST not only for the fans but also for beginners” – [HARDLINE]
“Everyone knows that Metallica are real fans of Diamond Head
and the band shows with this record that they know their craft” – [ROCK IT]
“Diamond Head have been covered many times by Metallica who named Diamond Head as a big influence.
This album offers natural but powerful sound and gives one a good overview of what Diamond Head created… very appealing” – [CLASSIC ROCK]
“With a thunderous bang and an in-your-face production Diamond Head are powerful with Live & Electric.
This live concert covers the career of the NWOBHM veterans, one of the biggest fans are Metallica” – [GOOD TIMES]
“Some of the songs come off sounding much stronger and heavier than on their respective studio albums. It’s one of these albums that’s over too quickly and leaves you no choice but to hit the play button again once it’s over – [METAL CRYPT]
“…this is the sound of a band at the top of their game” – [THE MIDLANDS ROCKS]
Live and Electric track-listing:
- The Prince (Live At The Bexhill De La War Pavilion)
- Bones (Live At St David’s Hall, Cardiff)
- The Messenger (Live At The Cambridge Corn Exchange)
- In The Heat Of The Night (Live At The York Barbican)
- Set My Soul On Fire (Live At The Bexhill De La War Pavilion)
- It’s Electric (Live At The Bexhill De La War Pavilion)
- Dead Reckoning (Live At The Aberdeen Music Hall)
- Death By Design (Live At The Aberdeen Music Hall)
- Sweet And Innocent (Live At The Aberdeen Music Hall)
- Helpless (Live At The Aberdeen Music Hall)
- Belly Of The Beast (Live At The Aberdeen Music Hall)
- Am I Evil? (Live At King George’s Hall, Blackburn)
Live and Electric is out on July 11th and is available as a double vinyl, CD, and on digital formats. Order can be placed here.
Diamond Head are:
BRIAN TATLER: Lead, Rhythm Guitars
RASMUS BOM ANDERSEN: Vocals
KARL WILCOX: Drums
ANDREW “ABBZ” ABBERLEY: Rhythm, Lead Guitars
PAUL GASKIN: Bass
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