Borrowed Time (Diamond Head album)

Borrowed Time is the second studio album by British heavy metal band Diamond Head. It was recorded in 1981 and released in 1982, reaching Number 24 on the UK Albums Chart.

Borrowed Time
Cover art by Rodney Matthews
Studio album by
Diamond Head
Released12 March 1982[1]
Recorded1981
StudioPlayground Studios, London
GenreHeavy metal
Length42:10
LabelMCA
Producer
Diamond Head chronology
Lightning to the Nations
(1980)		 Borrowed Time
(1982)		 Canterbury
(1983)

In a 2008 interview, guitarist Brian Tatler said that this was his favourite period with Diamond Head and that the band "seemed to be getting somewhere after six years of building".[2]

Background

This was the band's first major label released after being signed to MCA Records in 1981. As this was their first album under a major label, the album was much cleaner and better produced. However, some say that MCA was the wrong label for Diamond Head, which is one of the contributions to their downfall.[3] Some have also questioned the necessity for "Am I Evil?" and "Lightning to the Nations" to be included on the album,[4] since they had already appeared on the band's debut album, Lightning to the Nations. Although the reason for this was that their first album was only meant as a demo with the idea of Borrowed Time being their first official album. However, things have not quite worked out that way, with the former becoming their most notable work to date.

Originally, Borrowed Time was only released on CD in Japan, making it a highly collectible item. Although on 15 October 2008, it was released by Metal Mind Productions on CD format, with bonus tracks. However, this was limited to 2,000 copies. The release contains B-sides, such as "Dead Reckoning", which were previously unavailable on CD. However, Geffen Records have now issued the album on general release.[5] The cover features a lavish Rodney Matthews illustrated gatefold sleeve, based on the album's Elric of Melniboné theme, which was the most expensive sleeve commissioned by MCA at that time.

Musical style

This album saw the band move away from all-out heavy riffs and towards softer and more progressive songs, such as "In the Heat of the Night" and "Don't You Ever Leave Me", which was well-received by fans, as the former has remained a regular in the live set list to date.

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal10/10[6]

The album managed to get to No. 24 in the UK album charts, becoming the band's first and only album to chart. The band went on to perform a full scale UK arena tour, performing large venues such as London's Hammersmith Apollo.

The album failed to live up to prior expectations as the band's more commercial take to their music turned out to be a disappointment to critics.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Sean Harris and Brian Tatler

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."In the Heat of the Night"4:57
2."To Heaven from Hell"6:14
3."Call Me"3:54
4."Lightning to the Nations"4:09
Side two
No.TitleLength
5."Borrowed Time"7:39
6."Don't You Ever Leave Me"7:56
7."Am I Evil?"7:21
2008 CD reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
8."Trick or Treat" (from the Four Cuts EP)3:30
9."Dead Reckoning" (from the Four Cuts EP)3:31
10."Shoot Out the Lights" (from the Four Cuts EP)3:23
11."In the Heat of the Night" (from the In the Heat of the Night EP)3:20
12."Play It Loud (Live)" (from the In the Heat of the Night EP)6:12
13."Sweet and Innocent (Live)" (from the In the Heat of the Night EP)3:33
14."Interview with Sean Harris and Colin Kimberley by Tommy Vance" (from the In the Heat of the Night EP)13:38
The MCA Years bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
8."Borrowed Time" (BBC Radio 1 session)6:54
9."Don't You Ever Leave Me" (BBC Radio 1 session)5:46
10."Sweet and Innocent" (BBC Radio 1 session)3:29
11."Lightning to the Nations" (BBC Radio 1 session)4:19
12."Dead Reckoning"3:34
13."Trick or Treat"3:30
14."Shoot Out the Lights"3:22

Personnel

Per the liner notes

  • Sean Harris – vocals, backing vocals, percussion, vocoder
  • Brian Tatler – guitars, backing vocals
  • Colin Kimberley – bass, Taurus bass pedals, backing vocals
  • Duncan Scott – drums, percussion

Charts
Chart (1981) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[7] 24

References
  1. "Metal Archives". 23 November 2022.
  2. "Brian Tatler Interview". Get Ready to Roll webzine. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  3. Classic Rock, Vol 115, pg 92
  4. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Diamond Head – Borrowed time review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  5. "Borrowed Time & Canterbury CD re-releases". Diamond Head Official Website. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  6. Popoff, Martin (1 November 2005). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 2: The Eighties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. pp. 96–97. ISBN 978-1-894959-31-5.
  7. "Diamond Head | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
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