Better Writers Than Performers
06/27/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I recently got this CD in the mail from Amazon, so be aware I am reviewing this CD on first impressions. This is a good Metal record from one of the original NWOBHM bands(New Wave of British Heavy Metal)of the eighties.I really like this CD and I have been listeining to it over and over all day at work.(I do data entry) I have to say that I heard about this group from of course, Metallica. Metallica's versions of three of the songs are vastly improved and superior to the originals on here.(The Prince, Am I Evil & Helpless)I think the problem lies with the production and sound. Am I Evil by Metallic sounds about a million times better this this version. This sounds okay but kind of demoish. I understand it was originally put out on an independent label.This CD also includes 8 Bonus tracks including the "Diamond Lights" EP.If you like Iron Maiden's first two CDS you will like this. That is what it reminds me of. A good innovative band that should write some more songs for Metallica, because although this CD is quite good I would not call it great. This band seems to have a bit of an identity crisis.Some of the bonus tracks sound early Def Leppardish. I heard they later disbanded and formed a glam pop Metal type group. They have a few songs like that on here. Overall I like this CD and will consider buying some of their CDS in the future. Just be warned if you are expecting early Metallica style music it is not quite that good.(But close!) Just a good precursor and influence. Is it worth the import price? I would say yes because there is no really good hard rock music being made nowadays so you have to buy good music where you can find it. Ugly CD cover. Singer is not the greatest in the world. Who knows with a big time record contract and producer this band could have been great. They are certainly as good if not better than Megadeth, a band alongside Metallica who are quoted in the CD booklet of being strongly influenced by this band. Also has lyrics to all songs and brief history. Anyway Metal Rules!! ..."
Probably the best NWOBHM album ever...
yyldyrym | Ankara, Turkey | 03/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Oh yeah this is the NWOBHM'S finest moment! I think this debut of Diamond Head, that is Lightning To The Nations(1980), is the best NWOBHM album. Because this is much more better than any other NWOBHM classics that were released in 1980. It is absolutely better and more speedy than Iron Maiden's debut. It is much more deadly and satanic than Def Leppard's "On Through The Night". Even if it is less satanic than Angel Witch's debut, I think it is more heavier and powerful NWOBHM classic than Angel Witch's. Diamond Head's music in "Lightning to the nations", has also more progressive and doom sound than Saxon's classic NWOBHM album, "Wheels Of Steel". Also I think Diamond Head was unique among other NWOBHM bands. Because as I have heard, a writer in a music magazine called SOUNDS, talked about Diamond Head's unique sound in "Lightning to the Nations", and he said that Diamond Head is the only heavy metal band that puts more guitar riffs in a song than Black Sabbath did. If you listen this album carefully you'll see that this is true. Because there are too much riffs in songs that you cannot count,such as songs like "Helpless" and "Sucking My Love". In original version of this album there are 7 songs. But I want to recommend you the extended version. Because in this version you will find other singles of Diamond Head which were released in their 1981 EP. called "Diamond Lights". Please be careful when listening to this CD because you will find magnificent melodies in "The Prince", some AC/DC influences on "It's Electric", and really heavy and dark sound on "Lighning ToThe Nations" and "Am I Evil?". Also in extended version there are such good songs like "Play it loud" and "We won't be back". If you won't have this CD, you will miss some great music!! WHIPLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1