DIAMOND HEAD Guitarist BRIAN TATLER On METALLICA’s Cover Of “Am I Evil” - “I Was Really Flattered But I Didn't Think They Were Going To Be The Biggest Band In The World Or Anything Like That”; Video

December 5, 2016, 7 years ago

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DIAMOND HEAD Guitarist BRIAN TATLER On METALLICA’s Cover Of “Am I Evil” - “I Was Really Flattered But I Didn't Think They Were Going To Be The Biggest Band In The World Or Anything Like That”; Video

For Canada's The Metal Voice, former Anthrax singer Neil Turbin (Deathriders) interviewed legendary NWOBHM guitarist Brian Tatler of Diamond Head at the Whisky in Los Angeles. Tatler spoke about Metallica covering their song “Am I Evil”, their new self titled album in 2016 and their longevity for 40 years.

On the bands 40 year career: "There is no way on earth I would have presumed the band would still be going 40 years time, cause you can never see 6 months ahead or a year, it's a long time in rock and roll, to survive 40 years, well even I am impressed."

On the musical direction of their new self titled album: ”This is our seventh album so I think there is little elements of all six on this album. I think we just had this idea, this time the album should sound like a Diamond Head album, we have never really done that before, it was always about progression. There probably is in the writing these days a little bit of playing to our strengths, using songs that sound like Diamond Head and rejecting those that don't sound very Diamond Head. Then we whittle it down to an album that reminds people of the past."

On his opinion on Metallica's cover of Diamond Head's “Am I Evil”: "I found it flattering because we knew Lars. When we got a copy of Creeping Death the 12 inch single, “Am I Evil” was on the B side in 1984 so of course they were not a big band yet and in Europe they are signed to an indie label called Music for Nations and so it didn't seem like the big deal at the time because I just presumed this is just Lars' band and they covered a Diamond Head song. So we listened to it and thought wow they really go through so much trouble to learn every little lick and Metallica's done a very good job, very respectful job of covering the song. So I was really flattered but I didn't think they were going to be the biggest band in the world or anything like that. If somebody else likes your song enough to want to cover it, want to record it, you must be doing something right, it was a kind of nod."

On the writing process of “Am I Evil”: "It did take a long time to write “Am I Evil”, we spent over a year writing that song it grew from a small part, we added sections, the intro, the end. the song grew to 7 minutes 40 seconds and its got tempo changes it has got very good dynamics and it's really hard to do that. I think dynamics are a part of a successful band. We do get people come to gigs and say I know this one. It is our big song, I'm glad to have it cause at least we got one big song.”

Let Them Eat Vinyl and Rock Classics reissued Diamond Head’s All Will Be Revealed and What's In Your Head? on December 2nd.

All Will Be Revealed is the 2005 comeback album by the NWOBHM legends. It was the band's first release since their 2002 Acoustic First Cuts EP and the first studio album since 1993's Death and Progress. It was first album to feature vocalist Nick Tart.

Tracklisting:

“Mine All Mine”
“Give It To Me”
“Nightmare”
“Fallen Angel”
“Alimony”
“Lost At Sea”
“Broken Pieces”
“All Will Be Revealed”
“Dead Or Living”
“Drinking Again”
“Come Alive”
“Muddy Waters”

Lineup:
Nick Tart - vocals
Brian Tatler - guitars
Adrian Mills - guitars
Eddie “Chaos” Moohan - bass
Karl Wilcox - drums

What's In Your Head? is the second and final album with singer Nick Tart. The album was produced by Dave Nicholls (Slipknot, Stone Sour).

Tracklisting:

“Skin On Skin”
“I Feel No Pain”
“This Planet And Me”
“Reign Supreme”
“Killing Me”
“Tonight”
“Pray For Me”
“What’s In Your Head”
“Nothing To Lose”
“Calling Out”
“Victim”

Lineup:
Nick Tart - vocals
Brian Tatler - guitars
Andy Abberley - guitars
Eddie “Chaos” Moohan - bass
Karl Wilcox - drums



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