Diamond Head's 1982 studio album, Borrowed Time, stands as a pivotal release in the band's discography, for it’s a musical masterpiece that further cemented their enduring legacy and influence on the metal genre; despite a shift towards more mellow compositions. While their unique blend of New Wave and British Heavy Metal resulted in Diamond Head being a core influence to the likes of Metallica, commercial success was sadly not achieved. However, as music lovers know only too well, what is successful with the masses is seldom representative of the greatest music ever recorded.
Given the early 80s was still dominated by the vinyl record, as the predominant format of the era, it amazes me that the album didn’t see more success, for who wouldn’t have wanted to have that incredible artwork on display in their homes? Rodney Matthews certainly created a magnificent piece of visual art; one that is perfectly aligned with the music contained within and it is as fresh today as it was when first released.
Sonically, while the band is in fine form, Borrowed Time could do with a remaster. I know, remasters are a dirty word when it comes to classic albums, but the lossless Apple Music stream, a direct counterpart to the current CD releases, is a little thin. You may need to adjust the EQ levels in order to increase the bass in both the low and midrange. Doing so gives Borrowed Time a greater sense of presence. Some fans may not be fussed by this aspect, and while EQ can indeed address some of the elements, the modern EQ settings are an all-or-nothing approach and if you don’t have access to a manual equaliser, you’ll likely agree that a remaster, by a skilled engineer, would be a better approach. That said, it’s a minor quibble and Borrowed Time is so good that I can usually look past this aspect and thoroughly enjoy the music; a selection of songs that when combined in the album format result in one of the greatest hidden gems the metal industry has ever known.
In The Heat Of The Night opens the album with Diamond Head’s signature rhythmic heavy metal sound, killer riffs, and incredible vocals by Sean Harris. Ultimately, it’s one of Diamond Head’s greatest tunes; of course, that could be said about nearly all of the songs from Borrowed Time.
To Heaven From Hell flows seamlessly and continues the driving rhythm while slightly increasing the aggression of the guitar riffs. The bass tracking by Colin Kimberley is fantastic, even if it is a little concealed in the mix. One thing that you’ll notice immediately is the sing-along nature of the song, for you won’t be able to help but sing along to the song’s chorus.
Call Me is one of the greatest songs ever recorded in all of music history. If you were singing along to To Heaven From Hell, you’ll be chanting Call Me as the catchy chorus demands interaction. Harris shines even further on lead vocal, but so does the entire production as the melodic styling, coupled with the soaring musicality, ensures Call Me is nothing less than a masterpiece.
Lightning To The Nations appeared on Diamond Head's debut album Lightning To The Nations but as solid as that original recording is, I much prefer the spit and polish that has been applied to the version on Borrowed Time. It’s simply more powerful and polished when compared to the original recording. The result is that this version sounds optimal while the original has always been closer to a demo than a fully-fledged recording.
Borrowed Time has a slightly darker tone, but that bass performance is exceptional and can be heard as an influence throughout Metallica’s first three records. Yes, dear reader, I adore the bass guitar and when it features prominently, especially as a buildup to a song, there’s nothing better.
Don't You Ever Leave Me is, arguably, the only B-side to be heard on this remarkable album. That isn’t a bad thing for it’s a solid and thoroughly enjoyable tune. What is lacking here, however, is a driving rhythm. Yes, it’s a slower-paced tune that showcases Diamond Head’s versatility as musicians, but I’d argue the tempo, and the length of the song, is the core reason why it’s not a standout. That said, that guitar and intertwining bass solo mid-song is a highlight. Hence, as I alluded to earlier, B-sides and album-only tunes aren’t always a bad thing for they offer further insight into the musicianship of an artist and quite frankly, every song need not be a hit for the album to be extraordinary.
Am I Evil? is one of Diamond Head’s most recognisable tunes and it certainly helps when Metallica covered, and continues to perform, this classic. Metallica's rendition, as I previously declared, was bloody brilliant and if Satan has a playlist, this song would most certainly be on it. That statement can easily expand to this edition of the song and while it originally appeared on Diamond Head’s debut, Lightning To The Nations, I find myself continually gravitating towards this version on Borrowed Time as I simply prefer their second album. That said, if you’re after a rawer, more demo-styled, interpretation, the original has you covered. With a dark and brooding atmosphere, combined with truly captivating performances, Am I Evil? is not only a perfect closer, but it will encourage you to play Borrowed Time, time and time again for this is one album that can be seldom listened to only once.
Borrowed Time, ultimately, is not only one of Diamond Head’s greatest releases, it's one of the best metal albums of all time. With a diverse range of tracks, showcasing the band’s musical prowess, this is classic metal at its very best. It really is a shame that this album didn’t receive the recognition from music lovers that it deserves, but thanks to their peers’ latching onto the album as inspiration, and covering a number of their tunes, we’re incredibly fortunate to still be able to appreciate Borrowed Time; even if it remains a niche release in music history. Of course, dear reader, if we share it as I have done here, then new listeners will be able to experience the music we know and love. So don’t be shy. Share this album with anyone who appreciates music for it may be metal-focused but Call Me, amongst others, will appeal to just about any music lover.