Borrowed Time is the second studio album by British heavy metal band Diamond Head, released on 15 October 1982 through MCA Records. The album entered and peaked at No. 24 on 23 October 1982 on the UK Albums Chart.
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".
Contents
Background
This was the band's first major label release 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. Some have also questioned the necessity for "Am I Evil?" and "Lightning to the Nations" to be included on the album, since they had already appeared on the band's debut album, Lightning to the Nations (1980).
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. The cover features a Rodney Matthews illustrated gatefold sleeve, based on the album's Elric of Melniboné theme.
Reception
The album managed to get to No. 24 on 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.
Personnel
Per the liner notes.
Diamond Head
Sean Harris – lead vocals, backing vocals, percussion, vocoder
Brian Tatler – guitars, backing vocals
Colin Kimberley – bass, Taurus bass pedals, backing vocals
Duncan Scott – drums, percussion
Additional personnel
Mike Hedges – production, engineering, pre-production engineering
Diamond Head – production
Leo Peppas – engineering
Sean Harris – sleeve concept
Rodney Matthews – illustrations
Simon Fowler – photographs
Cream – artwork