Interview with Brian Tatler, by Vincenzo Ferrara
With the almost imminent release of a new album by Historic group Diamond Head (at the front of the NWOBHM scene) and with the nearing dates of another European tour which will also touch Italy, we are pleased to have an Interview here on TrueMetal.it with lead Guitarist Brian Tatler.
TrueMetal: Diamond Head gave to the world of True Heavy Metal a great masterpiece "Lighting To The Nations" (and, a few years after, Borrowed Time). After many years what do you think about this album and the importance it had on the European and British heavy metal scene?
Brian Tatler: Lightning To the Nations has been seen by many as an important milestone in Metal it was influential to a lot of bands the most famous being Metallica and Megadeth,I think people picked up on its energy and speed along with the complexity of some of the arrangements,As Metallica took it a stage further it then inspired metal bands all over the world to see how far they could go with the heavy fast style.
TrueMetal: Do you think about the actual "Heavy Metal" scene in the world? The "Heavy Metal" is seeming to rise out of the ashes in this first few years of 2000. You can see the come back of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, there is a new album from Saxon, Manowar... and more underground cult bands...do you think about this "revival"?
Brian Tatler: Its a very healthy sceene right now in heavy metal its been very big for a while now and its great to be part of it,Diamond Head is doing its best to spread the word,we have a new album just compleated called Whats In Your Head? and we will be touring throughout 2007,
TrueMetal: As you probably well know, many labels printed an official re-release of "Lighting To The Nations" several years ago. If you have seen it , what do you think about the different cover-artwork of the AxeKiller version?
Brian Tatler: I have seen a few dfferent covers for LTTN including the "map on fire" picture,but i guess it was open to interpratation because our original version came in a plain white sleeve so its to be expected,i dont think i have seen the AxeKiller version?but i have about 35 differnt Diamond Head Cds from all over the world.
TrueMetal: Do you think about the NWOBHM movements of eighties? And which band do you admire mostly?
Brian Tatler: I liked Def Leppard at the time and i liked some of the Saxon`s songs like Motrcycle Man and 747 (strangers in the night),i saw a lot of the NWOBHM bands in between 1979-82 including,Iron Maiden,Samson,Def Leppard,Witchfinder General,Girl,Angelwitch,Handsome Beasts and Saxon,and i was always looking for who would be big and if thier were things i could learn from thier shows,it was a very exiting time for me.
TrueMetal: A little bit critical but, except for Brian Tatler, I think that Diamond Head's actual look on stage is a little hard on the eye. Not enough Heavy Metal, too much modern rock. I would want a look totally "Tatler style", what do you think about it? :)
Brian Tatler: Thanks for the compliment although i think Karl Wilcox (our drummer)looks like a rock drummer,i dont think i should deliberatly try and make everyone look heavy metal!.do you think we should try loin cloths?.or maybe long black leather coats?
TrueMetal: Now, after many years, the only member of the original and "historic" Diamond Head line-up is Brian Tatler. I want to know if you "feel" the actual band "100% Diamond Head".
Brian Tatler: i feel the band is 100% Diamond Head no one else is doing it,Karl and Eddie have been in the band since 1991,a lot longer than Colin and Duncan were,We go on stage as Diamond Head and play Diamond Head songs what more do you want?.
TrueMetal: Some unknown pirates from Greek and Germany have remastered unofficially Borrowed Time and Lighting To The Nations selling it at unreal Japanese press. What do you think about this regrettable fact?
Brian Tatler: well there is nothing i can do about it at the moment i am more concerend with promoting the new material,but in a way i am glad Borrowed Time and Lighting to the Nations are still popular because they are hard to get hold of ligitimate copies,i probably loose some royalties somewhere but thats rock & roll as Bon Scott said "gettin ripped off,underpaid".
TrueMetal: What symbolizes and represents for you the word "True Metal"?
Brian Tatler: I guess True Metal to me means no nonsense bands like Slayer,bands who live and breath metal!,
Am I Evil ? is a True Metal Classic,eeeeaaarrrgghhh!!
TrueMetal: Do you have any last message for all the truemetal.it readers and for all fans in Italy?
Brian Tatler: Hello Italy Diamond Head will be heading your way in April and we hope to see you down the front having a good time,check out www.diamond-head.net for details.
Interview conducted by:
Vincenzo Ferrara for TrueMetal
Original interview in Italian
Thanks to Mauro and Enzo and the team at TrueMetal