'What's In Your Head' marks the second release for
'Diamond Head' since their recent comeback, their previous album being
'All Will Be Revealed' from '05, which like this outing is fronted by
'Nick Tart'. The aforementioned is a respectable vocalist as he proved on
the previous years live album 'It's Electric', but that said at times I
feel his style and approach is a little too modern for a band like
'Diamond Head'. The only line-up change sees rhythm / second guitarist
'Andy “Abbz” Abberley' welcomed into the fold replacing 'Adrian Mills'.
The NWOBHM legends open their latest account with 'Skin on Skin' a
modern, slightly gloomy down-tuned affair and all honesty if I hadn't of
known it was a 'Diamond Head' track, would not have guessed, that said
it's far from poor, nicely arranged and executed and further bolstered by
the strong if somewhat modern production. Revoking thoughts of earlier
material is 'I Feel No Pain', which ebbs and flows with some heavy rhythm
work, it does lose a little momentum mid-track, but another respectable if
somewhat unremarkable cut. The band take it up a notch with 'This Planet
and Me' a lively pulsating rocker, which nicely balances old with new
'Diamond Head', 'Nick Tart' delivers well throughout, while guitarist
'Brian Tatler' and new boy 'Adrian Mills' turn in splendid performances.
The more sluggish plodder 'Reign Supreme' ensues and while it has a
slightly different feel, isn't one of the most noteworthy songs of the
album, while the melodic rocker 'Killing Me' lacks a little of the classic
sound, but is a very good song by it's own merits. The tempo falls for the
lighter weighted 'Tonight', a sort of current 'Deep Purple' meets
'Zeppelin', in parts it comes off well, but as a whole I'm not too sure,
with the Spanish style melody not coming across totally convincingly. The
momentum is soon lifted for the slightly rowdy 'Prey for Me', another
solid if slightly run-of-the-mill track, the pre chorus / chorus isn't
executed particularly well and although some of the guitaring harks back
to classic 'Diamond Head' it feels too forced and blatant. Improvements
are quickly made with the titled track, which at times has a certain
'Tesla' feel, 'Nick Tart' is much more convincing here, while the fret
pairing of 'Tatler' and 'Mills' deliver the goods in fine fashion. Ensuing
in a similar vein, but with a touch of 'Beatles' influence is the lively
'Nothing to Lose', a solid melodic piece which incorporates a fine guitar
break, strong penmanship and nice arrangement. The pace falls for the
ballad come rocker 'Calling Out', a well executed but ultimately fairly
generic number, the more lively sections are worthy of a mention, but
sadly a little languid at times to fully impress. The album bows out with
the energetic 'Victim', another more contemporary sounding song, that
while high quality and an album highlight, again doesn't really recall
their earlier trademark sound.
If you are expecting songs like 'Am
I Evil', 'The Prince' or 'Lightning To The Nations' you might be a little
disappointed, but this is still a good solid release even if it lacks
enough classic 'Diamond Head' moments.