Is Behold the Beginning a good place to start with Diamond Head?

Yes, Behold the Beginning is recommended as a starting point for new Diamond Head listeners. A thunderous blend of intricate guitar riffs and powerful vocals that define the early British heavy metal sound. Released in 1986, Behold the Beginning was Diamond Head's third studio album, following their acclaimed debut Lightning to the Nations. At this point, the band was navigating a changing metal landscape as they sought to solidify their identity amidst rising competition from bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden.

Who is Behold the Beginning for?

Behold the Beginning works well if you're into urgent bursts of youthful energy, dynamic peaks and valleys and headbanging anthems for gatherings.

How many songs are on Behold the Beginning?

Behold the Beginning has 10 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

Behold the Beginning

Diamond Head · 1986

53 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal

A thunderous blend of intricate guitar riffs and powerful vocals that define the early British heavy metal sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Am I Evil? Start here — This track has become a defining anthem for heavy metal, showcasing the band's signature dual-guitar harmonies and powerful lyrical themes of darkness and rebellion.
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It’s Electric — With its relentless pace and electrifying energy, this song exemplifies Diamond Head's ability to fuse aggression with melody, making it a live favorite.
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The Prince — This track stands out for its dynamic shifts in tempo and mood, highlighting the band's creativity and lyrical storytelling about power and control.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album features strong riffs and varied tempos, but its impact is more niche within the heavy metal genre.

What we noticed

Tracks like 'It’s Electric' and 'The Prince' showcase complex guitar solos interwoven with powerful vocal lines, maintaining a consistent heavy metal sound.
Several tracks, including 'Sucking My Love' and 'Sweet and Innocent', incorporate slower tempos that create dynamic contrast within the album's overall pacing.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

urgent bursts of youthful energy
dynamic peaks and valleys
headbanging anthems for gatherings
cathartic release through intensity

Maybe skip if you

prefer calm, soothing sounds
dislike extended track lengths

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — Solid entry in the catalog but not a major highlight or breakthrough.
Themes: British heavy metal· dark rebellion anthems· power and control
Career context: Released in 1986, Behold the Beginning was Diamond Head's third studio album, following their acclaimed debut Lightning to the Nations. At this point, the band was navigating a changing metal landscape as they sought to solidify their identity amidst rising competition from bands like Metallica and Iron Maiden.
Stylistic neighbors: Metallica· Iron Maiden· Judas Priest