DIAMOND HEAD: “All Will Be Revealed” ( Private)

"Got this one without any accompanying info, because the editor-in-chief picked it up at a concert, and the album sale is meant as a support for the band, while they're waiting for a recording deal! "Huh? Waiting for a record deal?!", I hear you exclaim in thought! Well, even if these guys were instrumental in the growth and development of the early 'New Wave Of British Heavy Metal' scene...that was a long time ago! I mean, their last studio album dates back to 1993's Death And Progress", and that one was ten years àfter the preceding classic "Canterbury"!
So...it's been a while...and on top of that, from the original line-up there's only guitarist Brian Tatler left. Together with drummer Karl Wilcox, bassist Eddie Moohan, and 2 nd guitarist Mills, he's been working on the return of the band for a couple of years now. And I guess the recent addition of new vocalist Nick Tart may be instrumental in a change for the better for this historical band. Then again, is there still room for the band's somewhat Bluesy style of Metal/ Heavy Rock? I say there is! And Nick's voice is sure able to get 'em there! In fact, he's kind of remeniscent of original DH singer Sean Harris. One advice I would give the guys though (take it for what it's worth, it's only an opinion) : stop trying to be 'contemporary' by playing groove riffs on the bass side of the aural spectrum, turn down the pace in the songs, and concentrate on Nick's wonderful voice a bit more! I mean, as an introduction to the new band, these 12 songs stand like a rock, but it's really in the down-paced parts of the songs that Nick really shines!
My absolute favorite songs on this album are "Mine All Mine", "Give It To Me", "Broken Pieces", "Dead Or Living", "Come Alive", and "Muddy Waters", and that's already half of the album (goes to say something about the quality of the songs, really, because I'm kinda picky). Production on this private release (which, I'm afraid was only available on the band's 2005 tour with Megadeth) is really great (and done by the band's own drummer). For more info on the band, surf to www.diamond-head.net (who knows, they may have a couple of copies of this album left?)! I hope they get a deal soon, because they sure deserve it!

95/100

Tony