The 2021 remaster stands out by offering a pristine look at the track that defined the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM).
: The iconic intro was inspired by Gustav Holst’s "Mars, The Bringer of War" from The Planets suite. Am I Evil? Remastered
: Vocalist Sean Harris crafted the dark opening lyrics— "My mother was a witch, she was burned alive" —which were among the most extreme in metal at the time. The 2021 remaster stands out by offering a
: This version features founder Brian Tatler and guitarist Andy Abberley providing a "new razor edge" on guitars, with Karl Wilcox and Dean Ashton on rhythm and Rasmus Bom Andersen on vocals. : This version features founder Brian Tatler and
: This version brings a "freshness and attack" to the original 1980 recordings. It captures the youthful energy of the band—who were only 19 or 20 at the time—while utilizing modern production to provide the power they originally lacked the "technique, time, or craftsmanship" to achieve. The Re-Recorded 2020 Version
For fans of the Metallica version—which appears on their Ride The Lightning (Deluxe / Remastered) and Garage Inc. collections—the Diamond Head remasters provide essential context for the song's massive influence on thrash metal.
: Guitarist Brian Tatler wrote the main riff with the intent of creating something heavier than Black Sabbath’s "Symptom of the Universe".
