Lightning to the Nations (The White Album)

Lightning to the Nations was the debut release by the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (N.W.O.B.H.M.) band Diamond Head. Independently released in 1981, the album proved hugely influential on future Metallica member Lars Ulrich and Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. Having been out of print for many years, the original version of the debut was finally reissued on Metal Blade in 1992 (although it had been included in its entirety on the 1986 Behold the Beginning compilation). Even casual Metallica fans are already familiar with the band due to their popular covers of the DH classics "The Prince," "Am I Evil?," and "Helpless," which are all included here. But the other tracks that comprise Lightning to the Nations bears a striking resemblance to Spinal Tap at times, such as the title track's music (comparable to Tap's "Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight") and the song title "Sucking My Love." But the band had one of heavy metal's most underrated and influential guitarists in Brian Tatler, who composed some of the catchiest and most memorable heavy guitar riffs of the '80s. Metallica fans as well as admirers of the '80s N.W.O.B.H.M. (Iron Maiden, early Def Leppard, etc.) will thoroughly enjoy Lightning to the Nations.