Diamond Head — Live At The BBC

I don't exactly know why I was sent this sprawling archival double-disc of a rather mainstream rock act.  It seems more tailored for review in Record Collector than here.

Anyways, those who remember what critics dubbed the New Wave of British Heavy Metal back in the late 70s should be familiar with Diamond Head.  Of course this band's guitars were more flashy than heavy, probably closer to Def Leppard than Iron Maiden, and I'm even catching a whiff of U2 or Gene Loves Jezebel to boot.  "To Heaven From Hell" was about their best song;  as good a rock anthem as any other band from that scene could've come up with.  The main problem with this collection is its length and the fact that many of the songs repeat at least twice, if not three or even four times over.  The last performance here dates from the 90s with a different rhythm-section, and displays a latent interest in Southern rock.

But that is to say that as good as Diamond Head were, they weren't terribly exceptional, making this release not really essential.  Strictly for diehard fans or devotees of 80s mid-tempo hard rock.