Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

Diamond Head are a new wave of British heavy metal band. At the heart of the band has always been guitarist and primary song writer Brian Tatler. Original vocalist/guitarist Sean Harris and his replacement vocalist Nick Tart have both wrote collaboratively with Brian. In more recent years writing has been more collaborative with drummer Karl Wilcox also contributing to the writing process.

Pink Floyd may be the most influential and well known progressive rock band. Brian named Dark Side of the Moon as his second favorite album and said he learned the entire thing. — Pink Floyd may be the most influential and well known progressive rock band. Brian named *Dark Side of the Moon* as his second favorite album and said he learned the entire thing.

Deep Purple were a very influential hard rock / early heavy metal band. Brian named Ritchie as a big influence and the reason he wanted to play lead. Sean and Karl also named them as an influence.

Led Zeppelin are among the first and most imporant hard rock bands. Brian named them as his favorite band. Led Zeppelin II was the first album he got and it had a big impact on him. He named Physical Graffiti as his favorite album and “Kashmir” a… — Led Zeppelin are among the first and most imporant hard rock bands. Brian named them as his favorite band. *Led Zeppelin II* was the first album he got and it had a big impact on him. He named *Physical Graffiti* as his favorite album and “Kashmir” as his favorite song. Sean and Karl also named them as an influence.

Genesis are an influential progressive rock band. Brian was a fan and said they were influential on the NWOBHM scene.

Free are another influential progressive rock band. Brain also said they were an influence on the NWOBHM scene. Sean also named them as an influence.

Black Sabbath are the fathers of metal. Brian named them as a big influence on Diamond Head. Sean and Karl also named them.

Gentle Giant were a progressive rock band. Brian has listed them as one of his influences.

UFO are a very influential hard rock band. Brain said they were influential on the NWOBHM scene. Karl also named them as an influence.

Thin Lizzy are a very influential rock / hard rock band known for their guitar harmonies. Brian said they was influential on the NWOBHM scene.

Queen are a widely popular rock band. Brian said they were an influence on the NWOBHM scene.

Judas Priest are possibly the most quintessential heavy metal band. Brian named them as a big influence. He said that they would occasionally try to write songs with the dynamics of “Victim of Changes” and said his favorite riff was from “Island of Domination”. Sean also named them.

Rush are one of the most influential progressive hard rock bands. Brian is a big fan and said they always strived to get Geddy’s bass sound in Diamond Head.

Rainbow combined the legendary Ritchie Blackmore with Ronnie James Dio. Brian didn’t directly name them as an influence but did name Ritchie and also motioned being a big fan of epic songs like “Stargazer”

AC/DC are probably the most quintessential hard rock band. Brian is a huge fan and particularly notes the energy they have. Karl named them as an influence.

Van Halen had a huge impact on the world of guitar with Eddie being revolutionary on the instrument. Brain named them as an influence saying that Eddie set a new bar for lead guitar players.

Brian says he wasn’t inspired to play punk music, but was inspired by punk bans in the sense that he didn’t have to be the greatest guitar player to just get out there and play. He said he liked bands like The Sex Pistols, The Jam, The Adverts, and the Ramones. He says some progressive rock bands can be pretentious but mentions being a fan of Genesis.

Original drummer Duncan Scott was on the first three albums and only has one co-writing credit that is on an album after he was no longer in the band. I didn’t find his influences.

Nick Wilcox joined as drummer in 1991. He shares in writing credits on many songs since that time . He played trumpet when he was young. His early drum influences were jazz drummers like Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, and his dad who was a big band drummer, as well as glam band Slade. He also mentions Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells, Keith Moon, Terry Bozzio, and Neil Peart.

Nick was on vocals for two albums and contributed to writing but I’m unsure of his influences.

Bands influenced by Diamond Head!

As this project advances, bands will be added here!

Thrash Masters headed by Thrash Father Dave Mustaine

Sources:

https://www.loudersound.com/features/diamond-heads-brian-tatler-10-records-that-changed-my-life
https://search.blabbermouth.net/news/brian-tatler-doesnt-know-why-original-diamond-head-singer-sean-harris-hasnt-released-any-new-music-in-nearly-30-years/
https://yourlastrites.com/2016/05/09/are-we-evil-yes-please-interview-with-brian-tatler-of-diamond-head/
http://www.noizzeater.net/int/diamond-head-interview-brian-tatler-2017.php
https://www.diamondheadofficial.com/copy-of-profile-rasmus
https://www.ballbustermusic.com/2002/06/05/ready-to-strike-interview-with-diamond-head-vocalist-sean-harris/
http://musipediaofmetal.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-spotlight-interview-with-karl.html
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/02/nwobhm-wednesday-interview-with-diamon_20.html