NWOBHM pioneers, DIAMOND HEAD, have released a lyric video for “The Sleeper”. The tune comes by way of the band’s critically-lauded “The Coffin Train” full-length, released earlier this year via Silver Lining Music.
Of the track, vocalist Rasmus Bom Andersens comments, “It’s such a big sounding track that it almost takes you on a cinematic journey. ‘The Sleeper’ is a follow up to ‘Silence’ off the last record. We had fans who loved the orchestral elements and I wanted to give them some more. It was inspired by a favorite Sci-fi movie from my childhood.”
Adds guitarist Brian Tatler, “Starting life in 2016 with the main riff, I decided to demo it and see if I could make it into a song. With a bit of work this grew into a powerful monster with Ras’ lyrics inspired by the 1984 film Dune. It’s very moody and dynamic with brilliant orchestration.”
Following a performance at Wacken Open Air, the band will tour through Europe for the rest of 2019 and are confirmed on the lineup of two very special UK shows with NWOBHM giants, SAXON, which will take place on October 19 at the legendary Hammersmith in London and October 20 at the O2 Apollo in Manchester. The band will also support BLACK STAR RIDERS as well as URIAH HEEP on select dates. See all confirmed dates below.
August
24 – Stonedeaf Festival – Newark-on-Trent, UK
September
1 – Posada – Câmpulung Muscel, RO
October
18 – Patti Pavilion – Swansea, UK
19 – Eventim Apollo – London, UK w/ Saxon
20 – O2 Apollo Manchester – Manchester, UK w/ Saxon
26 – Mitsubishi Electric Halle – Düsseldorf, DE w/ Saxon
30 – Gimle – Roskilde, DK w/ Black Star Riders
31 – KB – Kultur Bolaget – Malmö, SE w/ Black Star Riders
November
1 – Fryhuset Klubben – Stockholm, SE w/ Black Star Riders
2 – TrädgÃ¥rden – Götenburg, SE w/ Black Star Riders
3 – Vulkan – Oslo, NO w/ Black Star Riders
5 – Talo – Tampere Klubbi, FI w/ Black Star Riders
6 – The Circus – Helsinki, FI w/ Black Star Riders
9 – Hard Rock Hell Festival – Wales, UK
12 – Markthalle – Hamburg, DE w/ Black Star Riders
13 – Die Kantine – Cologne, DE w/ Black Star Riders
14 – Reithalle – Dresden, DE w/ Black Star Riders
15 – Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE w/ Black Star Riders
16 – Cornwall Rocks Festival – Tencreek, Cornwall, UK
18 – Backstage Halle – Munich, DE w/ Black Star Riders
19 – Hirsch – Nurnberg, DE w/ Black Star Riders
20 – Nova Chmelnice – Prague, CZ w/ Black Star Riders
21 – Anchor E.V. – Leipzig, DE w/ Black Star Riders
29 – Winter Storm Festival – Troon, UK
December
4 – The LCR – Norwich, UK w/ Uriah Heep
5 – S’boro Market Hall – Scarborough, UK
6 – Bex Hill De La Warr Pavilion – Saint Newlyn East, UK w/ Uriah Heep
7 – KK’s Steel Mill – Wolverhampton, UK w/ Uriah Heep
January
9 – Ice Rock Festival – Wasen Im Emmental, SE
25 – The Giants Of Rock – Butlin’s Minehead Resort, UK
March
1 – Winter’s End 2020 – Sandford Holiday Park, Dorset, UK
September
23-28 – Full Metal Cruise – Kiel, DE
Diamond Head lineup:
Brian Tatler – lead/rhythm guitars
Rasmus Bom Andersen – vocals
Karl Wilcox – drums
Andy “Abbz” Abberley – rhythm/lead guitars
Dean Ashton – bass, backing vocals