Article by Uber Rock Diamond Head / Revival 23 April 2016

https://www.uberrock.co.uk/gig-reviews/8-april-gigs/17659-diamond-head-revival-crumlin-the-patriot-23rd-april-2016.html

Taking me back rather gloriously to days etched so beautifully in my memory banks, I’m of course talking about the good old 1980s... years full of teen NWOBHM angst and one of the bands that really made an immediate impact on my musical psyche from that period, Diamond Head. With their strikingly epic sounding tunes that most of us of a certain age all grew to adore who ultimately influenced some of the biggest names in music.

Crumlin....strap yourselves in.

It’s hardly a surprise to find tonight a sell out. Granted the Patriot is not the biggest of venues but this is still an achievement within the modern musical climate. The vibe and feel is electric tonight even before the two bands performing take to the stage.

First up tonight are Revival with an average age of 15. Now should I waste my time watching these boys or maybe hang out outside the venue with a beer and good company and blag the review? Yeah whatever. But wait a minute, these boys...no scratch that, this band, can sure as hell play. Offering up a NWOBHM influence via a nod to Maiden, plus there’s some Sabbath and so on, for such a young band to purvey their brand of musical wares in this way is really utterly refreshing. Let’s not get carried away at this early stage of their career though as it`s going to be a long hard slog for them I’m sure, but in my humble opinion, the future potential of Revival if expertly guided can, and I’m sure no doubt will, reap musical rewards judging by the early evidence laid out before me tonight. Stick with it guys, it`ll pay off, for that I have no doubt whatsoever.

A singer with stage presence and confidence is always a must for any rock group and Finley Nash’s confidence will grow as the band’s career evolves and he gains experience within the live environment, so too for the rest of the band and as musicians with certain Judas Priest-isms inspirational moments at times during the impressive guitar solos and so forth will no doubt become second nature.As it stands though the band’s original material is aided by some additional cover versions thrown in for good measure, with songs such as ‘Toxicity’, ‘War Pigs’ and ‘Bullet In My Head’ proving to be brave choices to take on. Credit to the guys though and given a rapturous reception they end the night with the enduring Neil Young classic ‘Rockin` In The Free World’ which half way through the song sees the group switch instruments to conclude their set list in fine fashion. The Revival is most definitely on.

This wondrous and dedicated “sold out” audience doesn`t have long to wait for the headline act tonight as Diamond Head deliver ‘Play It Loud’, ‘Shout At The Devil’, ‘Borrowed Time’ and ‘Bones’ all in quick succession, the tracks bouncing back and forth so elegantly between the very modern Diamond Head of 2016 and the “classic” period from back in the day in the early ‘80s. It should be uttered that they stand together so perfectly it’s hard for the untrained ear to remotely differentiate between the two periods and that is down to the musicians on stage before us slinging it around so perfectly. Namely bassist Eddie Moohan, drummer Karl Wilcox, rhythm guitarist Andy Abberley, vocalist Rasmus Bom Andersen and of course the main man lead guitarist Brian Tatler.

Listening to songs like ‘Shoot Out The Lights’, ‘It’s Electric’, ‘To The Devil His Due’, ‘In The Heat Of The Night’ and ‘To Heaven From Hell’ has me reminiscing and delving back to the Monsters Of Rock Festival and Bristol’s Colston Hall (Canterbury Tour) back in 1983 for some beautifully self-indulgent and totally unforgettable memories of the group for me as a long haired, or was it permed at the time, teenager.

But here we are all still rocking in 2016, older maybe, but still fully appreciative of the sound and vision on offer...the same intensity, belief, drive and it seems rediscovered enthusiasm behind the Diamond Head groove for all to witness. Those of us lucky to be in The Patriot tonight to witness this spectacle thrive on every note and beat that naturally adds to the overall sensation of a Diamond Head show, ‘All The Reasons You Live’, ‘Set My Soul On Fire’ and both new and impressive tunes lifted off the all new self titled release.

The set list comes to an earth shaking conclusion with ‘Lightning To The Nations’, ‘The Prince’ and the tune that rings every bell every single time ‘Am I Evil?’ Please forget any covers of this track, this is where it’s at...the original, in all its glory. Diamond Head return to the stage welcomed like all conquering kings to encore with ‘Helpless’ and ‘Streets Of Gold’.

Am I Happy? Yes I Fuckin’ Am.