February 15th, 2014 - A Fat Tired Diamond Head

Good evening folks!  The Meista here pairing Diamond Head's "The Best of Diamond Head" with a Fat Tire Amber Ale from New Belgium Brewing Company!

Probably one of the most important and influential early metal bands to come out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement in the late 1970s and early '80s, Diamond Head was formed in 1976 in Stourbridge, England.  Their music was influenced by early hard rock bands like Deep Purple, Free, and Led Zeppelin along with '70s "metal" bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest.  They combined these styles to create a fast-paced, rhythmic, and repetitive metal sound.  Diamond Head probably should have been as big as their contemporaries Iron Maiden and Def Leppard, but mismanagement and line-up changes left them in near obscurity for years until American thrash metal bands started covering their material in the early to mid 1980s.  Most notable of their influence would be both Megadeth and Metallica.  (Metallica has covered multiple Diamond Head songs including: "Am I Evil?", "Helpless", "It's Electric", and "The Prince".)  Even then, Diamond Head has really never received the recognition they so well deserve.  Regardless, their music is wonderful!  The songs from "The Best of Diamond Head" are taken from their first 3 studio albums: "Lightning To the Nations" (1980), "Borrowed Time (1982), and "Canterbury" (1983). The band during this period was made up of Brian Tatler (lead guitars, backing vocals), Sean Harris (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Colin Kimberley (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Duncan Scott (drums).  Songs like "Shoot Out The Lights", "In The Heat Of The Night", "Call Me", "Lightning To the Nations", "Borrowed Time", "Ishmael", and "To The Devil His Due" (as well as the aforementioned songs covered by Metallica) are wonderfully structured metal rockers.  An unsung hero, Tatler's guitar work is fantastically paired with Harris' brilliant vocals... as it is with the Fat Tire!

For a great, solid, rocking band like Diamond Head, you need an equally solid ale.  The Fat Tire Amber Ale from New Belgium Brewing Company is that beer!  It pours a reddish amber with a 1/2 finger, off-white head with good retention and lacing.  The nose is characterized by biscuity malts and toasted bread aromas.  Light in body, the Fat Tire is characterized by moderate carbonation and a smooth, slightly creamy mouthfeel.  The flavor follows the nose.  There are crisp, biscuity notes followed by toasted bread flavors, soft toffee, and just a hint of lemon.  The finish is very clean with some more subtle spice notes that linger on the tongue.  Easy drinking and refreshingly clean, but with a good solid backbone, the Fat Tire Amber Ale is a perfect brew to accompany Diamond Head on a Saturday night... or any night for that matter!

Cheers!!