DIAMOND HEAD – Canterbury [Japan remaster SHM-CD +3] HQ

As requested, here’s the out of print Japanese remastered release of DIAMOND HEAD‘s 1983’s album ”Canterbury”, as part of the reissue series ‘My Generation, My Music – Back To The Rock Years 1983-1987’ pressed on SHM-CD including 3 bonus tracks, now out of print. Originally, ”Canterbury” was only released on CD in Japan making it a highly collectible item.
Here, as happened with many NWOBHM acts, DIAMOND HEAD opted for a more commercial sound with a melodic hard rock groove and some AOR touches, including keyboards & synths. The band not only was looking for mainstream success, but as an attempt to show that they could write more than just ‘metal’ songs.

In interviews at the time Diamond Head openly talked about wanting to transcend the metal genre and clearly no longer associated themselves with the NWOBHM. They obviously had no idea how their fortunes would change once Metallica began covering their songs and, thanks in large part to Metallica, the entire metal paradigm would shift rather dramatically.
Diamond Head just wanted to be successful, and like many of their contemporaries, such as Def Leppard, they were willing to soften their material.

In fact, ”Canterbury” producer, Mike Shipley, worked as an engineer on Def Leppard’s Pyromania album prior to working with Diamond Head. It’s not surprising then that ”Canterbury” has a slick sheen, multi-track vocals and melodic solos.
But it wasn’t all about catchy choruses, the songs are strong and guitarist Brian Tatler contributions are more than solid. Tatler, we still strongly believe, is the most under-valued/appreciated guitarist in the entire NWOBHM.

This dude’s only glory was not simply writing one of the coolest/heaviest riffs ever (“Am I Evil?”). Sure, that was a highlight, but his songwriting and soloing skills are incredible. He has a fluidity and ease to everything he does—heavy, fast, slow, melodic—that is just instinctual.
Granted ”Canterbury” is perhaps not the best example of his ample talent, but there are plenty of amazing riffs woven throughout the record. “The Kingmaker,” “To The Devil His Due” and “Knight of the Swords” had plenty of heft.
Then “Ishmael” delivers a new side of Diamond Head, AORish but with nerve, and title track “Canterbury” is a quite brilliant song.

There are other tracks here that sonically may have more in common with radio-rock (“Out of Phase” and “I Need Your Love”) but, Tatler’s playing and Sean Harris vocals are still amazing. Metal? No way, but even when these guys had wandered away from the original plot line Diamond Head was founded on, they could still write really good songs.
This is a sonically stupendous SHM-CD, the best way to re-discover this underrated very well done album.
Highly Recommended

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01 – Makin’ Music
02 – Out Of Phase
03 – The Kingmaker
04 – One More Night
05 – To The Devil His Due
06 – Knight Of The Swords
07 – Ishmael
08 – I Need Your Love
09 – Canterbury
BONUS TRACKS:
10 – Makin’ Music (Extended Version)
11 – Sucking My Love (Live)
12 – A Interview incl. To The Devil His Due

Tracks 10 & 12 from ‘Makin’ Music’ single 1983
Track 11 from ‘Sucking My Love’ single 1983, recorded live at Reading Festival 1982

Vocals – Sean Harris
Guitar – Brian Tatler
Bass – Colin Kimberley, Mervyn Goldsworthy
Drums, Percussion – Duncan Scott, Jamie Lane, Robbie France
with:
Keyboards, Synthesizer [Fairlight] – Chris Heaton
Backing Vocals – The Jolly Slaves

out of print:
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICY-25108