Is Borrowed Time a good place to start with Diamond Head?

Yes, Borrowed Time is recommended as a starting point for new Diamond Head listeners. A blend of melodic riffs and powerful vocals, capturing the essence of early British heavy metal with a progressive edge. Released on March 12, 1982, Borrowed Time was Diamond Head's second studio album, following their influential debut Lightning to the Nations. At this point in their career, they were establishing themselves within the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene, which was gaining momentum and shaping the sound of metal for years to come.

Who is Borrowed Time for?

Borrowed Time works well if you're into steady pacing for focused listening, gradual build to powerful climax and soaring melodies for emotional uplift.

How many songs are on Borrowed Time?

Borrowed Time has 7 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Borrowed Time

Diamond Head · 1982

42 min · 7 tracks · heavy metal

A blend of melodic riffs and powerful vocals, capturing the essence of early British heavy metal with a progressive edge.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Call Me Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Borrowed Time — The title track features intricate guitar work and thematic depth about existential reflection, making it a standout representation of the album's overall mood.
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Am I Evil? — This track exemplifies Diamond Head's signature blend of dark themes and catchy hooks, becoming an anthem for subsequent generations of metal musicians.
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In the Heat of the Night — With its driving rhythms and dynamic shifts, this song captures the intensity of the band's sound while showcasing their lyrical storytelling abilities.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodic elements and dual guitar work typical of early British heavy metal.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of dual guitar harmonies, particularly evident in tracks like 'Am I Evil?' and 'Borrowed Time'.
Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with many tracks incorporating extended instrumental sections that showcase the band's musicianship.
Vocals are prominently featured, often layered with backing harmonies, which enhances the melodic quality of the music.

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

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

steady pacing for focused listening
gradual build to powerful climax
soaring melodies for emotional uplift
anthemic choruses for sing-alongs

Maybe skip if you

seeking immediate gratification
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album solidified Diamond Head's influence in heavy metal, impacting future bands.
Career context: Released on March 12, 1982, Borrowed Time was Diamond Head's second studio album, following their influential debut Lightning to the Nations. At this point in their career, they were establishing themselves within the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene, which was gaining momentum and shaping the sound of metal for years to come.
Stylistic neighbors: Metallica· Iron Maiden· Judas Priest