WHEN Diamond Head made their welcome return to Belfast for another stunning show in the Voodoo Belfast.
Ivor was on hand to sit the legendary Brian Tatler down for a wee natter...
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Showing posts with label Brian Tatler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brian Tatler. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
LIVE REVIEW: Diamond Head and Stormzone hit the Voodoo with heavy metal thunder and lightning
ON a cold Friday night in Belfast in the intimate venue of Voodoo, two sets of rock legends strode onto stage and gave everyone a night to remember. Local heavy rock stalwarts, Stormzone, and the heavy metal godfathers that are Diamond Head.
Stormzone filled the stage with their full on hard and heavy rock with a perfectly placed first song, ‘Where we belong’.
And that said it all…
A tour de force of pure enthusiastic energy they stormed on through ‘Another rainy night’, the anthemic ‘Three Kings’ and on into ‘The Pass Loning’.
Each song was a perfect delivery of the band’s heavy style of thrumming, chugging riffage tied together by Harv’s fearless vocals. All the while the floor bounced to the wrathful beat of the drums,
delivered expertly by Jonathan Millar of Maverick.
The set continued with ‘You’re not the same’ and into ‘Deathdealer’.
It came to a close with probably the most perfect song for the night with ‘The Legend Carries On’. It certainly does. Even with a heavy cold and a sore throat Harv delivered on the vocals.
Then stepped on stage the mighty Diamond Head. From the very get go it was plain to see something was wrong. Ras, the compelling lead singer, was in difficulties.
While Harv had the dreaded lurgy, Ras had full on flu and his throat was in a bad way. Diamond Head could have easily cancelled the gig or even after the first song Ras could have rightfully called it quits.
But no, he kept going through the whole set, much to the delight and utter respect of the crowd. Many a modern pop band should take note.
With complete disregard to his throat, Ras, along with Brian Tatler and the band blasted off with ‘Play It Loud’ before going on into ‘Borrowed Time’, ‘Bones’ and the fast and furious ‘Lightning to the Nations’.
The Voodoo did not know what hit it.
Brain exhibited his absolute mastery of his guitar, delivering heavy metal as it should be. It was powerful raw energy that flowed out from the stage. Nobody could stand still, these were hefty melody laden tunes that were emotionally and physically rousing.
The crowd was pumped and Ras expertly deployed ‘interactive audience mode’ encouraging the now passionately reactive crowd to sing along. Really he didn’t need to, as everyone was singing along anyway. But his connecting with the metallers there did not go unnoticed and that placed him in high esteem from everyone there.
On into ‘The Prince’, Heat of the Night’ and the hypnotic ‘Sucking my love’. ‘Shoot Out The Lights’, ‘Sweet and Innocent’ and ‘Diamonds’ continued the masterwork of this legendary band.
It was a thing of beauty to behold, seeing this band deliver metal in its purest, rawest form.
‘It's Electric’ and ‘Helpless’ continued the heavy metal headbanging heaven that the night had turned into.
And of course, Diamond Head finished off the set with the iconic ‘Am I Evil?’. That could well have been it, but Ras valiantly pushed on through the encore song ‘Streets of Gold’, much to the delight of everyone.
All in all, it was a fantastic night of heavy metal and rock as it should be, experienced up close and personal. Literally inches away from the bands.
It emphasised that in the right place at the right time with the right bands, you will have almost a spiritual experience of euphoric proportions. This gig was one of those times.
Review by Ivor Whitten
Pictures by Darren McVeigh
Pictures by Darren McVeigh
Thursday, September 29, 2016
INTERVIEW: Brian Tatler chats about Diamond Head 2016
Sunday, September 25, 2016
LIVE REVIEW: Diamond Head sparkle at Belfast's Voodoo, ably assisted by Terminus
THEY are the most under appreciated bands in the history of metal, a band whose licks, tricks and arrangements helped shape so many bands, but they are practically unequalled live - even when down one guitarist Diamond Head deliver.
It might be the case that Diamond Head are playing venues much smaller than they deserve, but they pack the Voodoo in Belfast with fans new and old - not just because of their reputation, but because there is a renewed buzz about Diamond Head and their self-titled release earlier this year.
Local act, Terminus, had the job of opening up proceedings and the five-piece roared into action just a few short weeks after performing a similar task for Chariot.
Their set is well-balanced and the entire arrangement speaks of a band that knows what to do and how to do it And, judging by several down the front singing along with many of the lyrics, it is clear that they are mining seams familiar to many in the audience
James is a commanding presence as they open with 'Reaper's Spiral' in a nine-song set that featured Paul and Gavin locked with riffs and solos.
'The Merchant Princes' and 'Poseidon's Children' may be stand-outs in the set, but the closer 'Centaurean' is obviously not only the mightiest of their tunes, but one that draws more people down front with its magnetic draw and sheer immense playing and tale.
We reckon that when Terminus release new material there will be an even bigger audience wanting to hear their sci-fi metal.
As the changeover began smoke breaks and bar queues had a sense of urgency, such was the desire to be in place when Diamond Head kick off their set.
They may have been reduced to a four-piece, but there was no audible sign of a band just pushing through; instead the acolytes were rewarded with a band showcasing what metal can be in the hands of experienced and accomplished musicians.
Of course, Brian Tatler is at the core of everything Diamond Head do, but this is no 'pension act', no re-tread; Rasmus and Brian seem to have a familial link once on stage.
Hits, anthems we all know fit in well with the three new tracks on display. 'Bones', Diamonds' and 'Shout At The Devil' may only been heard by fans for the first time in March, but they are not out of place in the set - 'Shout...' even serves as the last song before that iconic closer.
Yes, the audience were mainly there to hear the likes of 'Lightning to the Nations, 'It's Electric', 'Helpless', and 'The Prince' however, the sheer confidence of the delivery of the songs that were formative for most of the early thrash acts was outstanding.
Dean (bass) and Karl (drums) have nailed down the precise nature of the deceptively complex of the songs. It's hard to believe Dean only joined the band this year, such is the aplomb with which he fits in.
From the very moment that the band arrive on stage, through to the point they leave to enthusiastic cheers and applause Diamond Head show they know how to perform - visually there is constant movement, inter-change and smiles from the band.
Rasmus uses every inch of the stage and Brian and Dean do what so many players forget - eye contact with the audience and each other.
The reaction to all songs from the crowd was febrile at times, but, of course, 'Am I Evil' had the Voodoo vibrating to its very core.
Yes, it was a song many came to via Metallica, but its place in metal history was already assured. It is a track older fans and newer fans have established as a place in time; a moment when for many metal clicked into place and the world was a better place for the denim-bedecked masses.
Mass singalong and arms punching the air - it is nothing less than Diamond Head deserves, but the positive reaction to all the songs proved that DH are not a heritage act. Sure, they will always be expected to play the older songs, but the future of writing and performing looks bright.
Evil? If evil means metal this good, sign us up every time Brian and co are in town.
Review by Jonny
Pictures by Darren McVeigh
Reproduction by written permission only
It might be the case that Diamond Head are playing venues much smaller than they deserve, but they pack the Voodoo in Belfast with fans new and old - not just because of their reputation, but because there is a renewed buzz about Diamond Head and their self-titled release earlier this year.
Local act, Terminus, had the job of opening up proceedings and the five-piece roared into action just a few short weeks after performing a similar task for Chariot.
Their set is well-balanced and the entire arrangement speaks of a band that knows what to do and how to do it And, judging by several down the front singing along with many of the lyrics, it is clear that they are mining seams familiar to many in the audience
James is a commanding presence as they open with 'Reaper's Spiral' in a nine-song set that featured Paul and Gavin locked with riffs and solos.
'The Merchant Princes' and 'Poseidon's Children' may be stand-outs in the set, but the closer 'Centaurean' is obviously not only the mightiest of their tunes, but one that draws more people down front with its magnetic draw and sheer immense playing and tale.
We reckon that when Terminus release new material there will be an even bigger audience wanting to hear their sci-fi metal.
As the changeover began smoke breaks and bar queues had a sense of urgency, such was the desire to be in place when Diamond Head kick off their set.
They may have been reduced to a four-piece, but there was no audible sign of a band just pushing through; instead the acolytes were rewarded with a band showcasing what metal can be in the hands of experienced and accomplished musicians.
Of course, Brian Tatler is at the core of everything Diamond Head do, but this is no 'pension act', no re-tread; Rasmus and Brian seem to have a familial link once on stage.
Hits, anthems we all know fit in well with the three new tracks on display. 'Bones', Diamonds' and 'Shout At The Devil' may only been heard by fans for the first time in March, but they are not out of place in the set - 'Shout...' even serves as the last song before that iconic closer.
Yes, the audience were mainly there to hear the likes of 'Lightning to the Nations, 'It's Electric', 'Helpless', and 'The Prince' however, the sheer confidence of the delivery of the songs that were formative for most of the early thrash acts was outstanding.
Dean (bass) and Karl (drums) have nailed down the precise nature of the deceptively complex of the songs. It's hard to believe Dean only joined the band this year, such is the aplomb with which he fits in.
From the very moment that the band arrive on stage, through to the point they leave to enthusiastic cheers and applause Diamond Head show they know how to perform - visually there is constant movement, inter-change and smiles from the band.
Rasmus uses every inch of the stage and Brian and Dean do what so many players forget - eye contact with the audience and each other.
The reaction to all songs from the crowd was febrile at times, but, of course, 'Am I Evil' had the Voodoo vibrating to its very core.
Yes, it was a song many came to via Metallica, but its place in metal history was already assured. It is a track older fans and newer fans have established as a place in time; a moment when for many metal clicked into place and the world was a better place for the denim-bedecked masses.
Mass singalong and arms punching the air - it is nothing less than Diamond Head deserves, but the positive reaction to all the songs proved that DH are not a heritage act. Sure, they will always be expected to play the older songs, but the future of writing and performing looks bright.
Evil? If evil means metal this good, sign us up every time Brian and co are in town.
Review by Jonny
Pictures by Darren McVeigh
Reproduction by written permission only
Thursday, September 22, 2016
NEWS: Diamond Head release new video ahead of tomorrow's Belfast date
NWOBM icons Diamond Head have released a video for All The
Reasons You Live, taken from their self-titled album, which was released in
March as the follow-up to 2007's What's in Your Head?
"Out of all the tracks on the album this one is my favourite," said guitarist Brian Tatler. "We spent some time searching for the right location and found The Hush House at Bentwaters Parks. It was perfect — it was a military base and just echoed the songs feel."
The album is the first to feature vocalist Rasmus Born Anderson, who joined the band in 2014 to perform in live shows. "I had no interest in doing another record," said Tatler, "but after working with Ras on the 2014 European tour that suddenly changed. I wanted to make a record with him.
"Out of all the tracks on the album this one is my favourite," said guitarist Brian Tatler. "We spent some time searching for the right location and found The Hush House at Bentwaters Parks. It was perfect — it was a military base and just echoed the songs feel."
The album is the first to feature vocalist Rasmus Born Anderson, who joined the band in 2014 to perform in live shows. "I had no interest in doing another record," said Tatler, "but after working with Ras on the 2014 European tour that suddenly changed. I wanted to make a record with him.
“He’s a confident singer and he’s not trying to fill
anyone’s shoes."
Diamond Head play Belfast on Friday, September 23rd in Voodoo, with support from Terminus.
And, having seen DH several times over the past 18 months you'd be a fool to miss this one...
Diamond Head play Belfast on Friday, September 23rd in Voodoo, with support from Terminus.
And, having seen DH several times over the past 18 months you'd be a fool to miss this one...
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