Unless you're a devoted old-school metalhead, you probably haven't heard of Diamond Head except through the liner notes from various Metallica cover tunes, which isn't entirely surprising but is really a bummer, 'cuz Behold the Beginning contains some great songs which deserve a place of honor in the metal pantheon. This disc, which is a remixed and repackaged version of Diamond Head's debut album, Lightning to the Nations, with the addition of the subsequent single release "Waited Too Long," is a solid collection of tunes, chock-full of great guitar riffs. The style in which Diamond Head structured its music—-a relatively straightforward but killer riff, played quickly in a percussive fashion over a rock-solid rhythm section and howling vocals over top of it all like whipped cream on a sundae—-was the direct inspiration for Metallica's early days, as is obvious in the now-famous band's cover of a Diamond Head original, "Am I Evil?". As far as the sonic quality of the disc goes, it isn't half as bad as you might expect, considering the year of recording and the indie budget, but the sound is a bit thin. And the vocalist, Sean Harris, doesn't have as strong a voice as the songs ask for...but hey, at least he's smart enough not to screech and hurt my ears.

Diamond Head signed a major label deal on the strength of this debut and went on to release other albums, but Behold the Beginning is arguably their best work. The strongest compositions are the four tracks which Metallica has covered and, although there isn't a genuine clinker among the rest, tracks five to eight are best described as serviceable but not exceptionally distinguished. The added track, "Waited too Long," is more of a rock 'n' roll tune-—not exactly metal but not quite a ballad, either—-and is distinctive, but if this was the direction which Diamond Head took on their subsequent releases...well, this is definitely their best album. "Sucking My Love" deserves special attention for its mondo-extendo length and memorable riff. (Damn, now it's stuck in my head...) Incidentally, the Other Band mentioned in this review used "Sucking My Love" as part of their set list when they were still playing in bars.

Generally speaking, if you liked Metallica's versions of "Am I Evil?", "It's Electric," "The Prince," and "Helpless," you'll like Diamond Head. Behold The Beginning is not a vital part of your collection if you already own Garage, Inc., 'cuz you have four of the five best songs, but it's a significant marker in the NWOBHM scene and is at least worthy of serious consideration.

Review by Jonathan Arnett

Review date: 02/2000

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