Diamond Head – Europe, Leeds 02 Academy, 18th February

This was the first night of Europe’s UK tour. Support is being provided by Diamond Head. Most of you will already know that guitarist Brain Tatler is the only remaining member from the NWOBHM period but don’t let that deter you, this band are a fine outfit in their own right. The evening kicked off with It’s Electric and included many older classics as well as new songs recorded with the current and excellent vocalist Nick Tart, including Give it to Me and Alimony from the brilliant All Will be Revealed CD. Proceedings were brought to a close with arousing rendition of Am I Evil.

Now I’ve always considered myself as a bit of a sceptic when it comes to Europe (both musically and politically) but my musical views have changed quite rapidly over the last 6 months or so with the arrival of Last Look at Eden. I had no hesitation in naming it as one of my top CDs of 2009. Would the live show live up to my expectations?


Photo Credit: © Edward Fielding
Europe burst onto the stage to rousing applause with their opening song Last Look at Eden; this was the first of many from the new CD which included Gonna Get Ready, No Stone Unturned and excellent rendition of New Love in Town. From the back catalogue we had songs like Scream of Anger, Let the Good Times Rock, Superstitious, Always the Pretender, Start from the Dark and of course we all sang along to Carrie. Throughout Joey Tempest led the band with the swagger of an experienced front man. I’m not sure who would win a microphone stand twilling competition between him and David Coverdale. I also have a new guitar hero in the shape of John Norum he was so melodic and his solos really added to all the songs. The main set was brought to a close with Rock the Night. The band came back and sung three encores starting with UFO’s Only You Can Rock Me, then my favourite track from the new CD, The Beast, and of course we finished with The Final Count Down which caused pandemonium in the audience!!

Well musically I’m now fully pro Europe, whether I’m keen on the Euro replacing the Pound, well that’s another matter.

The tour continues through out the UK, details are on the band’s web site.

NH

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