PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
British Heavy Metal legends Diamond Head will release their 8th studio album,
The Coffin Train, on Silver Linings Music on May 24th, 2019.
Pre-Orders are available here http://hyperurl.co/TheCoffinTrain
“PIONEERS”, an adjective to be used carefully. Many wish they were, most are not.
Diamond Head – the Stourbridge, England born New Wave of British Heavy Metal pioneers – return to the world stage with a new album. The Coffin Train is at once fresh and exuberant while also being a stone-cold classic slice of old school heavy metal excellence. Is it packed with the sort of riff-fueled power that founding member (and riff LORD) Brian Tatler led a genre and influenced the odd band or two with? It’s electric for sure…and then some.
“All along we wanted to make sure we didn’t lose sight of what we call ‘The Brief’” explains Tatler, “I would never want to deny our NWOBHM style and sound, that’s what originally got me excited and Diamond Head noticed. And I still enjoy the creative journey we go on.”
Formed in 1976 under the riff-rolling leadership of guitarist Brian Tatler, Diamond Head would quickly establish themselves as a vanguard of the exploding New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene. With their genre-defining debut album Lightning To The Nations, Diamond Head became the band who influenced and opened gates for many metal bands.
The Coffin Train, Diamond Head’s eighth studio album, is a glorious testimony to Brian Tatler and Rasmus Bom Andersen’ masterful ability to create the flavours necessary for prime Diamond Head music.
“Rasmus is a big part of why the album, and band, sound like we do,” affirms Tatler. “He has a fantastic vocal range, knows exactly what to do with his voice and is incredibly knowledgeable about it!”
“The Coffin Train was written and recorded in several places…” continues Tatler. “It was written here at home in Stourbridge at Ras studio in London and in our rehearsal room in Stourbridge. It was recorded at Circle Studio, Birmingham, and Vigo Studio, Walsall. Mixed at Raw Sound, London”.
“We worked riffs together over weeks and weeks, building trust, but the challenge for me was putting on a producer hat when necessary and a writer’s hat when writing,” explains Ras. “Brian knows that I understand what the Diamond Head sound needs to be, whilst making sure the album translates for this current time. Sometimes that meant speaking up, but it was always a very smooth and respectful process.”
When it comes to the concepts behind The Coffin Train, Tatler left the heart to Ras, who is a thinker and life-conceptualiser, doesn’t lack sources of inspiration.
Look no further than Belly Of The Beast for a ripping signal of intent, the huge, catchy, crunchy riff coupled with Ras’ fiery vocals and married to a steam-engine old school tempo which will have headbangers gleefully reaching for their air guitars and aspirin. It is both furious and thickly intense.
Diamond Head have not only managed to create an album of pure heavy metal intensity, but they have also created a timeless aural statement which feels destined to see them delivering both The Coffin Train and DH 2.0 to more fans than ever.
Is it really that electric you might ask? Oh yes, it certainly is!
Excited to bring The Coffin Train to the world, Diamond Head will be touring Europe for most of 2019 and are confirmed on the line-up of two very special UK shows with NWOBHM giants, SAXON, which will take place on October 19th at London’s iconic Hammersmith and October 20th at the o2 Apollo in Manchester.
21st June – Hellfest, France
25-28th July – Camp Bestival, UK
25-27th July – Rock & Blues Festival, UK
24th August – Stonedeaf Festival, UK
19th October – Hammersmith Apollo, UK*
20th October – o2 Apollo Manchester, UK*
7-10th November – Hard Rock Hell Festival, Wales, UK
* Supporting Saxon
More dates to be announced.
Diamond Head is:
Brian Tatler – lead & rhythm guitars
Rasmus Bom Andersen – vocals
Karl Wilcox – drums
Andy “Abbz“ Abberley – rhythm & lead guitars
Dean Ashton – bass guitar, backing vocals
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