Diamond Head is the name of a tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu and known to Hawaiians as Leahi (photograph at right). It is located on the coast east of Waikīkī (in Honolulu) and is a defining feature of the view known to residents and tourists alike. A symbol of worldwide recognition, it is not surprising that Diamond Head is widely exploited for commercial purposes (see heavy metal band and movie below). The volcanic cone is a State Monument. A popular trail and stairway lead from the interior of the crater to lookouts along the rim.
Diamond Head is a British heavy metal band formed in 1976 in Stourbridge, England.
The band made a demo tape in 1978, which got some radio airplay. Diamond Head soon opened for AC/DC and Iron Maiden. Diamond Head released their first album in 1980 with Happy Face Records. This was untitled, but is usually referred to as Lightning to the Nations. The success of this album led to them signing with MCA Records in 1981.
In 1998, Metallica released Garage, Inc., which included covers "Am I Evil?", "The Prince", "It's Electric", and "Helpless", all originally released by Diamond Head. In particular, "Am I Evil?" was one of Metallica's first notable recorded songs (as part of the Am I Evil? / Blitzkrieg cassette single) and was included briefly on their debut album Kill 'Em All.
Diamond Head was a movie staring Charlton Heston and Yvette Mimieux.
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