Out now,a standout bonus track from British hard rock and Girlschool that’s a defiant and electrifying take on Metallica’s ‘Hit The Lights’, featuring bona fide shredder Joe Stump and Alcatrazz. The performance serves as one of the all-star compilation key highlights, offering Japanese fans a unique and essential addition to the CD release.

You can order the Japanese CD Edition here, the digital single is out now here and you can check out Girlschool’s full-throttle assault on Metallica’s ‘Hit The Lights’  via the video by Natalia Jonderko Śmiechowicz of N.Station Animation & Design Studio here at RAMzine.

No Life ‘Til Leather finds veteran heavy metal bands like Saxon, Diamond Head, and Motörhead, (three of Metallica’s own favourite bands) are joined by rising stars such as Tailgunner and Swedish prog metal act Soen. There are also contributions from thrash giants Testament, ex-Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, and New Wave of British Heavy Metal linchpins Tygers Of Pan Tang, and the legendary Raven who were part of Metallica’s first-ever tour in 1983.

No Life ‘Til Leather – A Tribute to Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All  full track listing is: ‘Hit The Lights’ (Tailgunner), ‘The Four Horsemen’ (The Almighty), ‘Motorbreath’ (Soen), ‘Jump In The Fire’ (Tygers Of Pan Tang), ‘(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth’ (David Ellefson), ‘Whiplash’ (Motörhead), ‘Phantom Lord’ (Saxon), ‘No Remorse’ (Diamond Head), ‘Seek & Destroy’ (Testament) and ‘Metal Militia’ (Raven) – The album will be available on vinyl, CD, and on digital formats and can be ordered here.

‘Hit The Lights’ follows swiftly in the path of the previous single taken from the album featuring New Wave of Heavy Metal legends Raven. Metallica’s first proper tour was with that trio in 1983, on their famous Kill ‘Em All For One venture. Thus, it is only fitting that  Raven feature on the album with a powerfully unapologetic rendition of Metallica’s ‘Metal Militia‘.

With unrelenting energy and raw precision, Raven channels the ferocity of the original while stamping their own unmistakable identity on the track — A bold statement that captures the spirit and intensity of the entire album.

“We are very happy and honored to have been asked to be part of this awesome tribute to our old sparring partners.” commented co-founder, lead vocalist and bassist John Gallagher. “Our cover version is many things as you will hear… in the best tradition of the guys themselves, but I think we captured that Metallica snarl…. Especially by changing a few key elements! Features Mark on vocals, today all is revealed!”

Watch/listen to the single below in a video by Freakshot Film.

The third single from the all-star compilation is from thrash metal icons Testament, with a full-throttle cover of Metallica’s anthem ‘Seek & Destroy’.

“We had fun covering Metallica’s song ‘Seek and Destroy’’,” commented long-standing Testament member and vocalist Chuck Billy. “Songs like this started a movement!”

You can also listen to the single here and check out the video by Freakshot Film here at RAMzine.

The second single from the all-star compilation proved to be a monumental cover of Metallica’s instrumental epic ‘(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth’ courtesy of bass impressario and former Megadeth member David Ellefson that’s just been released.

“It was a total honour to be asked to participate in this album, especially to record the iconic bass composition ‘(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth’ by the one and only Cliff Burton,” commented Ellefson. “I was able to borrow one of Cliff’s Aria Pro signature bass guitars and signature Morley fuzz/wah pedal for the session to replicate his sharp, yet thunderous tone he created on the original recording.  It is my hope that this homage will highlight Cliff’s larger than life personality and that his music will always live on through this unique and iconic song he gave to the world.”

Available digitally, you can check out the video by Pamela Parks, edited by Freakshot Film, here at RAMzine.

British band The Almighty‘s first recorded work with their founding lineup since 1991, saw the light of day with a newly recorded full-throttle rendition of  Metallica’s ‘The Four Horsemen’ as the first single from the album – It was chosen by the band as both a nod to their roots and a declaration of intent.

“’The Four Horsemen’ – by Metallica – got us back into the studio with the original lineup for the first time since 1991… Unbelievable!” Almighty lead singer and guitarist Ricky Warwick exclaimed. “When the opportunity presented itself, it was really a no brainer, Metallica have been a huge influence for us… It was a bit nerve-wracking because we had not been in the studio for such a long time.  We did the whole thing in a day and a half with as much power and passion as you would expect from The Almighty, it is such a powerful track. I think it turned out great, make sure you turn it up really, really loud!”

Also available digitally with a video edited by Freakshot Film here at RAMzine.

The post Girlschool, Alcatrazz & Joe Stump Join Metallica Tribute Album appeared first on RAMzine.

With a thunderous crunch and genuine in-your-face’ production that places the PA up against your ears, Live And Electric, delivers a song selection that covers the band’s seminal career.

Also out their latest single, ‘The Messenger’ along with an animated video produced by Costin Chioreanu.

‘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” remarked 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!”

Prior to that, the first single taken from Live And Electric, was ‘Helpless’. Founding member and lead guitarist Brian Tatler recalled how the song began: “In September 1979 the song ‘Helpless’ began life as a riff I was playing by an obscure punk band. I was playing it at the fifth fret and singer Sean Harris said ‘Play it at the second fret but play it faster’ and the song took shape. It has always been a powerhouse live and one of the songs that has never left the set list. Metallica covered ‘Helpless’ on their $5:98 EP in 1987 which introduced it to a whole new set of metal fans.”

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 said to be “explosive” as he bursts with power, presence and personality.

“It’s the first Diamond Head live album for twenty years and the first time in Diamond Head’s career that we were able to record all fourteen shows and then go through them to find the best performances,” continued Tatler. “In the past we would only record one specific show and so all the pressure to get it right on the night would build up and make everyone very nervous.  Somewhere in the middle of this tour things began to gel and fortunately these shows were captured for posterity.” 

The seamless way in which old classics such as ‘The Prince’ and newer stormers like ‘Belly Of The Beast’ thunder down the tracks has been described as  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 said to be 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.

Live And Electric features‘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)’ and ‘Am I Evil? (Live At King George’s Hall, Blackburn)’.

Live And Electric can be ordered here and you can check out the videos here at RAMZine.

The post Diamond Head’s Live Messenger appeared first on RAMzine.

So, is it good news that Brian and the current line up have re-recorded the entire album? Well, from my point of view, yes and no. The original has such a place in my heart that I will always return to it, in saying that, these new recordings have preserved the rawness of the period while injecting a keen edge of modernity; they all stay true to the originals with the odd extra flourish that may jar at first but soon fit like a glove.

The real saving grace is that the band throw themselves into every track and it still gives a thrill to hear songs such as the aforementioned ‘Am I Evil’, it still sounds brilliant and Rasmus is one of the few vocalists that could carry it off with such aplomb. The magnificent ‘The Prince’ stays that way. The epic ‘Sucking My Love’ is actually a little more coherent than the original.

As it’s a re-release the obligatory bonus tracks are as fascinating as the new takes, four covers of Metallica (repaying the favour?), Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest and Deep Purple are rewarding in their honest reinterpretations whilst watermarked by the band’s inherent sound. ‘No Remorse’, Immigrant Song’, ‘Sinner’ and ‘Rat Bat Blue’  respectively are fascinating and enjoyable additions. The Purple and Priest ones being the best.

So, if you’re already a fan, this is actually essential… if you’re not 1) where have you been? and 2) this is as good a place to start as any.

The post Diamond Head revisit Lightning To the Nations appeared first on RAMzine.

This includes legendary metal frontman Phil H. Anselmo & The Illegals bringing a ‘A Vulgar Display Of Pantera’ set on Friday.

On Saturday we see the return of goth-metallers Paradise Lost, performing their 1995 album Draconian Times in full.

Life Of Agony are added to Sunday’s line-up, promoting their new album The Sound Of Scars.

Undisputed metal legends Diamond Head are also on the main stage on Sunday.

BLOODSTOCK will be headlined on Friday by DEVIN TOWNSEND and is also set to welcome SKINDRED, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, JINJER, VIO-LENCE, SACRED REICH, GLORYHAMMER, DARK TRANQUILITY, and BUTCHER BABIES so far.

The post Bloodstock 2020: Phil H. Anselmo and more added to line-up appeared first on RAMzine.

A line-up so small it would have you questioning the length of sets, the hope of two headline sets possibly? Sadly for Diamond Head fans that wasn’t the case. This didn’t scare them away from fitting in what they could with some classics as well as touching upon their recent release, and absolutely belting might we add, ‘Coffin Train’. A good turnout from the start of the show makes for an easy start with the energy in the room, and those fans lapped up the new material as though it was written decades previous. It feeds the energy on the stage, with guitarist Abbz and bassist Dean clearly enjoying themselves, Abbz especially going for it, it’s almost a wonder he doesn’t cause himself an injury!

Rasmus lays his long serving Rebel custom mic stand to the side and carries the set with his soaring vocals as his animated arms and stances cover the stage, and as always, drummer Karl and founder Brian are as cool as you like, age a mere number in their attitude and playability. Rasmus riles the crowd up for the newer songs, and proves the there are no cobwebs on their coffin train with it being their first show in 7 or so months. ‘Death By Design’, ‘Belly of the Beast’ and ‘The Messenger’ all sound completely at home among the regular classics like ‘It’s Electric’and ‘Am I Evil?’. Those three new comers come with the sacrifice of anything from the four studio albums between their recent two and first two albums. A set so short is always going to have a few people disgruntled, but they deliver the goods and make a fantastic start, possibly playing at their best in many years. We hope to jump in their train again soon.

Last In Line are keen on the stage, and their simple, basic stage set up helps this. Other than a few pedals for Phil Soussan playing a wireless rig, the only other things to sit on the stage are a simple drum kit, a mic stand, and a lone wah pedal hooked into two Engl half stacks. Kicking off at ten past nine, the simplicity shows just how much talent the men have, crafted and painting pictures in so many ways with so much versatility. Four months since the release of their sophomore, II, their material has developed and been around long enough for all to be familiar, but if familiarity is what you want then they certainly provided tonight. A headline set and then some, they provide only three tracks from debut Heavy Crown, and four tracks from II, the rest of a monumental set falls firmly on the Dio classics, a total of 9. Something I can only imagine won’t be happening to such an extent for very long, if at all again.

Having so much room to play with on stage, frontman Andrew Freeman performs at 100%, his enthusiasm and sheer vocal strength are something to behold, he is comfortable and leads the way in the fun they share with the crowd, plenty of humour makes its way in between songs from all involved in the band, the majority being made by Andrew at the age and hearing of those gracing the stage with him, Vinny can give as good as he gets though, even if at himself. While their love amongst each other is clear, its the smiles on their faces that make the show that much better, and as Phil Soussan speaks to share his love for the legacy they are upholding for a band that started in this city, and his own home town, he dedicates the next track to his predecessor, the late Jimmy Bain and his daughter who joins the show that night, the debut single Stargazer soon begins but Viv Campbell gets it wrong and needs to restart, cue Andrews humour and once again mentioning Viv being a rock and roll hall of famer with a laugh!

It comes to around an hour into the set and the band clearly are nowhere near done, it has the crowd even start to guess what is left of Dio hits to play, with most done true to the live versions Dio used to perform himself, and although some are missed, there isn’t much that was left out. With a curfew of 11pm, and last trains to catch, the crowd begins to thin before the set draws in, an extended ending to ‘Egypt (The Chains are On)’ being possibly the only point of guitarist Viv Campbell shows off with an extended solo, followed by ‘Rainbow in the Dark’ being enough for some. For the die hard there, they are pretty damn sure they will be getting an encore, and right they are. It is at least a point Andrew really talks to the crowd about the music, the legacy, and keeping it all alive and on the stage, how without the fans, it just wouldn’t be. With absolute heartfelt thanks they finally break into their encore and round off the perfect night. Legends, legacy, classics and future classics. This show had it all, easily one of my most cherished gigs, and something that will be heart to beat for as long as I live.

Diamond Head set list:

1. Borrowed Time

2. Bones

3. Death by Design

4. In the Head of the Night

5. It’s Electric

6. Belly of the Beast

7. The Messenger

8. Am I Evil?

Last in Line set list:

1. Landslide

2. Stand up and Shout

3. Straight Through the Heart

4. Year of the Gun

5. Holy Diver

6. Give Up the Ghost

7. The Last in Line

8. Martyr

9. Black Out the Sun

10. Starmarker

11. Evil Eyes

12. Egypt (The Chains Are On)

13. Rainbow in the Dark

Encore:

14. Don’t Talk to Strangers

15. Devil in Me

16. We Rock

The post Last in Line and Diamond Head play a special London show appeared first on RAMzine.

Diamond Head have their fingerprints all over the sound of bands such as Metallica and Megadeth not to mention a whole swathe of there peers. From there very first outing with the acclaimed Lightning To The Nations album Brian Tatler has never strayed far from what he calls ”The Brief” with the newest outing The Coffin Train being no exception. This is the second outing on vocals for Rasmus Bom Andersen, whos range and style I think has brought the last albums to life, his off-kilter style mimics early outings with original frontman Sean Harris but lends his own character to each song.

The album kicks off with a belter of a track ‘Belly of the Beast’ this is straight out of the playbook that brought the band to the table in the first place, and for a man who is 59 years old,  Brian Tatler can still shred and riff with the best of them. It’s obvious from the outset that the duo of Tatler and Bom Andersen are on the same wavelength. They have opted for a more dense and produced sound this time around which took me a few listens to fully love, but it sounds massive.

This is an album written on the road and recorded in several different places namely Vigo Studios in Walsall, Circle Studios in Birmingham, and with the mixing and production did at Ras’ own Raw Sound Studio in London there is no wonder the album is so diverse, they have come a long way since the biscuit tin drums that’s for sure. I think they finally captured with The Coffin Train what has maybe been missing, that larger than life sound. The title track and ‘Shades of Black’ bring the tempo down briefly but does nothing to derail the momentum of this blinding album. Other highlights are ‘Death by Design’ and ‘Serrated Love’ both classic Diamond Head.

To sum this album up would be to sell it short, if you are a fan of the NWOBH movement this is for you, if you like Metallica – this one is for you but most of all if you are a Diamond Head fan, in my opinion, this has finally captured what has been missing all these years.

The post Diamond Head prove they never lost it with’The Coffin Train’ appeared first on RAMzine.

As with most festivals, the line up is shorter than the following days with a later kick off time, the talent isn’t any less as the night proved to show, with Alteration starting it off. Sadly starting a little later than planned meant the three piece had their set cut short to just a few songs, but their intent and attitude came through strong in that small time frame. A little heavier than I would have expected since there is much more of a classic rock/NWOBHM line up, however, they deliver the goods and kick things off superbly!

More akin to the NWOBHM sound were the next band, Neuronspoiler, a five piece that carry their flag high. Finding time to joke and laugh with the crowd, they are the epitome of what it takes to be great performers, a band I had only heard of and went in blind with, I was soon blown away by their power and will be on the hunt to catch them at any opportunity. Twin guitar attacks, a brilliant rhythm section, all brought together by a vocalist that has the range and power that could have made Rob Halford tremble in his boots back in the day!

An act like this is something words can’t really do justice for, a real must see band, but then how do you even contemplate following up an act like that?

Saints of Sin seem to have the answer and to have members so young, their amazing guitarist Sophie packs the stage presence the size of a mountain despite her small stature and she can outplay many guitarists I know, all at the age of 19 too, I dare not mention the skills of their other trickster of a guitarist. The five piece rock hard and know how to play for a crowd, let alone us photographers, you just cannot walk away without a smile from ear to ear. Their hard rock with touches of glam is impressive, a band I hope one day to see headlining much bigger stages. If ever a band deserved recognition and budgets the likes of Motley Crue back in the day, it’s them.

The venue is packed in by this time and beer is well and truly flowing. The final support act seems to have a big following, Burnt Out Wreck. Very much in the vein of ACDC (a band I will openly admit are not for me, they are great at what they do, but I’m bored after a couple of songs!) courtesy of the sound of the vocalist, they do know how to get the crowd involved and they go down well with everyone else, they just seem a little too dad-rock for me, and that is a term I’ve never used or understood until that point. Personally I would have rather seen them earlier in the evening as they seem to have taken the wind out of the sails somewhat.

Diamond Head are no strangers to the stage, they are the reason I was asked to cover this gig, let alone reason enough for me to want to go. They don’t seem to slow down one bit and can still bring out the best in anyone. From massive festival stages to small stages, each performance has always delivered above and beyond any expectation, even with all of the history, they remain the most humble of gentlemen too.

Their set focused mostly on their debut Lightning of the Nations and sophomore Borrowed Time, as well as their recent self-titled Diamond Head with only one other addition coming from 1983’s Canterbury in the form of ‘Knight of the Swords’. If for some strange reason you had never heard of the band, let alone seen them before, you would not have expected there to be a 33-year difference between their youngest studio release and second youngest studio release that made the playlist! Even with steamy windows, the band attracts attention from those passing by outside, at which vocalist Rasmus asks if they’re enjoying it and then soon barks out to just pay to get in, and rightly so!

Their busy time on stage is filled with 17 belters that have the crowd in such a mood that they are like a fiend for a fix with wanting more. By halfway through the set they have people climbing pool tables and enjoying an advantageous view. Coming towards the end of their set is the ever expectant few classics that are as good as blueprints for rock and roll/metal. The impact the songs had on the metal world, even now, is abundantly clear and Rasmus takes a moment to really celebrate the fact that he gets to perform time after time with the man that wrote the most magnificent of riffs. ‘Helpless’, ‘Lightning of the Nations’, ‘It’s Electric’ and ‘The Prince’ all lead up to the riff, ‘Am I Evil?’ that has Mr. Tatler take center stage. I often wonder how it must feel to constantly be asked and questioned about just one song no matter how many songs you write in a lifetime, but it doesn’t seem to bother Brian, the look on his face seems to be nothing of pure joy when playing that riff and seeing a crowd full of people light up, myself included. After all, how could you not? It is the most evil of riffs!

Diamond Heads tour is well underway right now, but there are still a few dates left and their support bands are worth arriving early for too. Don’t be a fool, going by this opening show at the start of it, then the rest of the tour is going to be phenomenal! Go catch them while you can!

The post Diamond Head, Burnt Out Wreck, Saints of Sin, Neuronspoiler, Alteration – Four Sticks Weekender Four Sticks Weekender appeared first on RAMzine.

So having just finished your UK tour, how has it gone for you guys and the crowd?

We just finished thirty one dates’ across Europe. Some of the gigs were fantastic, my personal favourites were Sweden Rock, Bloodstock, Malta, Ireland and it’s always great to play a home town gig, this time we were at the Robin 2 Bilston. The band is on fire at the moment, this line up is awesome. We continue the tour on 2nd November in San Francisco. Then we are playing the legendary Whisky a go go in Hollywood for the first time. We are all enjoying the dates.
When you play live these days, how does it compare to the decades gone by?

I am very happy with this line up of the band, it feels as exciting as the original line up and we are a very tight unit. I feel all the members now are complimenting each other and doing justice to the Diamond Head legacy. A few times over the ‘Sean years’ he kept trying to re-arrange the songs or make them work acoustically. We have none of that now it’s just respect the original recorded version and enjoy playing it.
How have the crowds taken to your newer stuff to the classic Diamond Head material? Have they been as enthusiastic as the reviews have been?

Definitely, the new songs fit in seamlessly with the old songs and have been going down great with the fans. I have had people ask me to play more songs from the new album and even if we are planning to play the new album in its entirety live at some point! It’s a good idea and we may just do that at some point. It would also be nice to play all of the Borrowed Time album one day.

You’re set to take on the USA and Canada in the next few weeks for a huge tour, how are you expecting that to go in comparison to the UK crowd?

Usually the big coastal cities are the more crazy gigs. San Francisco, New York etc. but we have had some great crowds at places like Vancouver, Toronto, Texas, Santa Ana and Brooklyn. I love it when a crowd is almost out of control. This has been a very busy year for Diamond Head, everything seems to be going right for us now.

Rasmus’s voice seems to have really brought a new thirst for more on the new album, how did you go about seeking him out to front the band?

I know a good singer when I hear one. I found him through a friend of our bass player Eddie. First off I sent him a backing track to an old Diamond Head song (To Heaven from Hell) which he sent back in a couple of days, no messing about. It sounded great so I called him and Ras came up to the Midlands to rehearse with Diamond Head in May 2014, after about 30 minutes I knew he would be great at singing the Diamond Head back catalogue. At this point my mind was focused on the upcoming tour that started in July, I had no intention of writing any new songs. We discussed writing together during that tour.

Listening to the album, I found it had a real classic sounding production to it, almost like it was something from way back when. Did you seek out to deliberately find that sound or was it something that just came naturally, and how did you go about nailing that feel to the sound?

The sound of the album comes from the band and the studio we used. It’s a small studio called VIGO in Walsall, West Midlands. I tried not to leave anything to the last minute, all the songs were arranged and rehearsed, all the guitar solos were worked out. Only the lyrics were not fully complete, Ras had to create a few verses on the spot to get everything finished. The live room was pretty dead with carpets on the floor walls and ceiling to act as soundproofing so we had no natural ambience. I have recorded in some very expensive studios in the past (Battery, Wessex, Britannia Row, Sarm East, Sarm West, Eden, The Power Plant) but that is not where Diamond Head are in 2016, sounds good though, people seem to like it.

Lastly, without trying to go into it as they seem to be brought up in every interview! You have forever asked about being that band that Metallica etc. mention as to the being the reason they are who they are band wise, they’ve nailed some great covers of you guys over the years, but if there was any song or riff by any other band that Diamond Head had wished the wrote, what what it be?

I love Led Zeppelins Kashmir so it would have to be that. It’s my favourite song and I never get tired of it. There is something uplifting and magical about out.

The post Interview: Brian Tatler of Diamond Head appeared first on RAMzine.

…

You are the last band on tonight (Friday) and are on after the main stage headliners, Twisted Sister, what does it feel like to be today’s true headliner?

It’s a perfect spot for us. I think everyone will be up for it by then, we’re doing a full set and it’s a great stage so I’m looking forward to it.

Do you have anything different planned for tonight?

We’re doing a song we have only played once before, and the opening track [Wild On The Streets] we haven’t played for a while. We mix the set up, but there’s certain songs you have to do that people would be disappointed if you didn’t. So we never go away feeling we didn’t make the audience happy. We’re also playing stuff from the new album that we are promoting now. We have a new singer [Rasmus Bom Andersen] who’s fantastic. It’s quite an ‘up’ set – a lot of fast songs. So you need your energy.

Do you feel the fans at Bloodstock being both young and old prove metal is still relevant in 2016?

I always think it’s [metal] is getting bigger, and bigger. And I’ve been saying that for the past 10 years. So it can’t be that it’s peaking , or it has peaked, or it’s going down.  There’s so many festivals now, I can never understand how they have enough bands to go around (laughs).  I bet they scrabble for the headliners, they probably book festivals a year in advance so your Maidens and Metallicas are booked far ahead in advance. They can’t do all of the festivals so they have exclusivity. It seems to be getting bigger and bigger, which has surprised me – I’ve been doing Diamond Head, on-and-off, for 40 years! And I never expected it to be so big and still going after 40 years. If someone back then had told me, I wouldn’t have believed them and how much metal has changed since then. The way it has progressed and moved in to different genres is amazing.

You just mentioned you have been in the industry for 40 years – do you feel the way bands are playing, even in the past decade, is totally different?

It keeps changing, bands progress and come up with different ways of playing. There’s 9-string guitars now! No-one would have thought of that back then. People are inventive and creative. It keeps going, keeps evolving. Just when you feel you have seen it all – someone comes up with something original. You would have thought the style would have stayed the same if you think about it: We all have guitars, play 12 notes in a way, play the same chords … but we come up with different riffs, chord progressions and lyrics, I don’t see why it would ever stop.

Do you feel Bloodstock is the ideal festival for Diamond Head?

It’s perfect for Diamond Head. We are promoting the new album so this is ideal timing, and it’s going to be a good way of re-introducing Diamond Head to Bloodstock because we haven’t been here in such a long time. Actually, we haven’t done it since it’s been open air! We played it when it was the Derby Assembly Rooms [in 2002]. Been over-looked (laughs).

Will you check any other bands while you are here?

If we’ve got time. I wanted to watch Evil Scarecrow but I missed them. They’re great, I’ve seen them before, a few times. A good bit of fun. The prefect festival band I feel.

What’s next for Diamond Head?

More live dates, we have about 50 this year. In November it’s America and Canada, and then promoting the hell out of the album. It’s had such positive press, may as well just go for it. Go to Europe and tour, tour and tour until we can tour no more! We have discussed the next album and we will probably start writing bits-and-bobs next year. I’ve got ideas, I always have ideas, but it will be at least 2017 before we start writing – let alone recording.

All photography by Ash Crowson. Check out his other work here

You can can see what we though of Diamond Head and 100s of other band’s at Bloodstock 2016 in our full review in RAMzine issue 10, due September. You can also read out highlights:

Thursday/ Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Keep checking back for more interviews with many more bands from Bloodstock 2016.

The post Interview: Brian Tatler of Diamond Head – Bloodstock 2016 appeared first on RAMzine.

This year was just as awesome – if not better than 2015. Before you get the in depth review in the next issue of RAMzine (out early September) here is some of the highlights of the UK’s biggest metal festival. Keep checking back for podcasts  and interviews featuring the likes of Phil Campbell, Anthrax, DragonForce, Diamond Head, Evil Scarecrow, Paradise Lost, Acid Reign and MANY … MANY …more!

Thursday

Many seasoned festival-goers know that the action doesn’t always start on the Friday, and there’s always amazing entertainment on the Thursday evening. Bloodstock 2016 is no different. A line up of of some of the brightest rising stars in metal such as Sublime Eyes and Sumer,all the way to Irish thrashers Psykosis who all get the happy campers in the mood for the following weekend of chaos and carnage. Although they prove themselves worthy of the now iconic Sophie Lancaster Stage – this is nothing compared to the first real headliner. The act in question is guitar hero Phil Campbell and his new band The Bastard Sons.

To put this in to perspective: this man played in Motorhead for over 30 years. Wow. Currently in a band with his three sons, Campbell treats us to a collection of his favourite songs including ZZ Top’s ‘Sharpe Dressed Man’ and Black Sabbath’s ‘Sweet Leaf’ which are executed phenomenally by the Welsh legend. Of course we get all the Motorhead classics and even the original track ‘Big Mouth’. Twisted Sister vocalist Dee Snider joins Phil and the boyos on stage for a rendition of ‘Born To Raise Hell’ with a little help from COC’s Pepper Keenan. Campbell pays his respects to his dear friend Lemmy along with ‘all the friends we have lost in the past 12 months’ with a hard-hitting cover of David Bowie‘s ‘Heroes’ and finally finishing with another tribute to Mr Kilminster with Hawkwind’s ‘Silver Machine’. A really fitting tribute to the rock god. In all, Lemmy embodied what Bloodstock was all about: heavy metal and having a good time.

Friday

On to the first full day of the festival and the main stage gathers many early-risers (midday is early here, believe me) for Anglo-Swiss power metal mob GloryHammer, whose vocalist – Angus McFife, Crown Prince of Dundee, Heir to the Kingdom of Fife…. real name Thomas Winkler – is dressed in green armour. This is a metal fest but that’s just taking the mick! God knows if GloryHammer actually serious or not but they are seriously fun. (4/5)

Speaking of fun, next are self-proclaimed ‘Bloodstock house band’ Evil Scarecrow take to the stage. On Space-hoppers. Not wasting anytime –  the Nottingham monster-metallers dive right in with ‘Robototron’ and ‘Hurricanado’ accompanied by their own unique dance routines. No-one is complaining about the silliness though. in fact, most of the crowd are dancing, dressed as mascots,  or sometimmes carrying an inflatable crab. These guys and girls have more characters on stage than Iron Maiden ever had, and it’s brilliant to see on the main stage. Helmet’s off to the Scarecrows! (5/5)

Fellow masked-men Anti Clone bring the arena nu-metal experience to the Sophie stage complete with band members getting in to the circle pit as well as front-man Mr Clone commanding the first ‘wall of death’ of the weekend. Playing early tracks along with tunes from their album ‘The Root Of Man’ capturing the late 90s/early 00s feel of Slipknot, Mushroomhead and Korn in their prime. The Lincolnshire lads do have a bright future ahead, maybe main stage next year? BRING OUT YA DEAD! (4/5)

From nu-metal revival to one of the bands that laid the foundations for the genre – Stuck Mojo. As you can expect guitarist Rich Ward is on fire as always. As are the rest of the band, and although their new vocalist Robby J is putting his heart and soul in to the performance, there’s something missing. If original vocalist Bonz was on stage maybe it would have been a different story.(3/5)

As the sun goes down – the devil’s creatures come out to play. including black metal pioneers Venom, fronted by original vocalist Cronos bringing his Geordie demonic howl back to Bloodstock. Performing tracks from their award winning 2015 ‘From The Very Depths’ and classics ‘Black Metal’ and ‘Welcome To Hell’. Showing all the pretenders how it’s done with world-ending tracks like ‘Hammerhead’ and ‘Grinding Teeth’. Cronos even comments how he is surprised he hasn’t melted in the hot August weather. He is from the North East so he has possibly never seen the sun (4/5)

How do you follow band so in league with Satan? well play modern classic ‘The Satanist’, good thing Behemoth is here to do that. Bringing a vision of hell to the Ronnie James Dio hell are the Polish blackened death metal legends totally blow the whole festival away with this performance. such showmanship. (4/5) Nothing can surely top that….although…wait…

Let’s be honest, the reason this is the biggest Bloodstock on record isn’t really for anyone else other than Twisted Sister (well, maybe) who will be performing for the last time in the UK tonight. Such a shame as the glam-metal legends prove why they have sustained a 40 year career. You may know the hits, yet tracks like ‘Burn In Hell’ and ‘Like a Knife In The Back’ show why Dee Snider and ‘The Iron Men Of Rock N Roll’ deserve headline status on the country’s biggest metal festival. “Fuck Download!” exclaims the iconic front-man , who constantly thanks the crowd for all the support ranging from getting them in the top 20 with ‘I Am (I’m Me)’ to seeing them tonight. ‘Forty and Fuck It!’ as the backdrop says.

“We would  have more pyro but Behemoth used it all” adds Dee. Seguing in to the anthem ‘I Wanna Rock’ makes tonight the highlight of the weekend. These guys haven’t lost it either. All original members, minus late drummer AJ Perro, haven’t changed since the days Dee wore blusher, lipstick and pink shoulder pads on Top Of The Pops. Finishing the main section of their set with a crowd-interactive version of the Stones’ ‘It’s Only Rock N Roll’ complete with ‘death metal’ style chants of “I like it”. Snider and guitarist Jay Jay French’s razor sharp banter is another thing we will miss. Here’s to hoping they might play one or two reunion shows before they say goodbye for good. The encore featuring signature tune ‘Come Out And Play’ appeals to the hardcore TS fans as well as re-acquainting some younger Bloodstockers.  (5/5)

That’s not all. Diamond Head still have time to shine on the Sophie stage. Talk about a masterclass, original guitarist Brian Tatler still killing it live. Like Twisted Sister, it’s easy to see why Diamond Head have stood the test of time and inspired some of the biggest names in metal. A good end to great day at BOA. (4/5)

The first two days of this monumental festal have been somewhat monumental. Highlights from Saturday and Sunday are coming soon as well as many amazing interviews from the biggest Bloodstock ever. This is only highlights so a lot more happened here.You can check that out in a few weeks on the release of RAMzine #10!  Keep it metal!

Check back tomorrow for highlights of Saturday featuring Mastodon, Gojira, Acid Reign and many more.

Full review in issue #10 of RAMzine coming September!

All photography by Ash Crowson, check out his stuff on his Facebook page

The post Bloodstock 2016 Highlights: Thursday and Friday appeared first on RAMzine.