“Lightning to the Nations” or “Nightflight”?

Sometimes an album battle isn’t about two records sounding alike. It’s about two bands taking their own paths through the same era.

Diamond Head’s “Lightning to the Nations” and Budgie’s “Nightflight” arrived just one year apart, but they show two very different sides of early ’80s British heavy metal.

One is raw, riff-heavy and deeply connected to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. The other moves toward melodic hard rock and a more polished arena-metal sound.

So, if you could buy only one, which one are you taking home?

Diamond Head – “Lightning to the Nations”

Recorded in October 3rd, 1980, “Lightning to the Nations” also known as “The White Album” was Diamond Head debut and a record that had to fight its way into existence.

Major labels weren’t committing, so the band decided to release it through their own Happy Face Records. The album was recorded in just seven days at The Old Smithy Studio in Worcester.

And then came one of the most famous DIY releases in metal.

The first 1,000 copies were pressed in completely plain white sleeves with no title, track listing or proper artwork. Copies were sold at concerts and by mail order for £3.50. The labels were even hand-signed by band members.

The seven-song tracklist was anything but filler: “Lightning to the Nations”, “The Prince”, “Sucking My Love”, “Am I Evil?”, “Sweet and Innocent”, “It’s Electric” and “Helpless”.

The riffs became legendary and Metallica’s love for Diamond Head helped introduce these songs to a much wider audience. Metallica covered several of them over the years, including “Am I Evil?” and “Helpless”.

There’s even a strange moment from the 1993 Milton Keynes show, when part of the crowd reportedly thought Diamond Head were playing Metallica covers when they were actually playing the original songs Metallica had covered.

That’s quite a legacy for an album that started life in a plain white cardboard sleeve.

Diamond Head
Sean Harris – vocals, rhythm guitar on “Am I Evil?”
Brian Tatler – lead and rhythm guitar
Colin Kimberley – bass
Duncan Scott – drums

Budgie – “Nightflight”

Released on October 3rd, 1981, “Nightflight” was Budgie ninth album and showed the Welsh band moving in a different direction.

After the heavier sound of “Power Supply”, “Nightflight” leaned toward more commercial, melodic hard rock and arena-metal territory.

The album featured founder Burke Shelley on bass and vocals John Thomas on guitars and Steve Williams on drums.

Opening with “I Turned to Stone” the album starts with a softer acoustic and moody atmosphere before breaking into heavy galloping rhythms and a huge guitar solo from John Thomas.

The track is one of the album standout moments and its galloping section has a definite early-Iron Maiden feel. Maiden were huge Budgie fans around this era and even covered Budgie “I Can’t See My Feelings”.

“Nightflight” also gave Budgie some rare chart action. The album reached No. 68 in the UK, while “Keeping a Rendezvous” reached No. 71 on the UK Singles Chart.

And then there’s that cover.

The striking artwork was created by Derek Riggs, later famous for creating Iron Maiden’s Eddie. The artwork had originally been created for Hawkwind before being sold to RCA Records for Budgie album.

The album even includes the ballad “Apparatus” and the acoustic closing coda “Untitled Lullaby”, showing just how much ground Budgie were covering.

Budgie
Burke Shelley – bass guitar, vocals
John Thomas – electric, acoustic and slide guitars, vocals
Steve Williams – drums

Two albums, two different directions

“Lightning to the Nations” is raw, riff-driven and tied closely to the sound that would help define the NWOBHM era.

“Nightflight” takes Budgie toward melody, polish and a more accessible hard-rock sound while still keeping plenty of heavy moments.

Both have their own stories, their own character and their own place in early ’80s metal.

Now imagine you’re standing in a record store with money for ONE album.

🤘 Which one are you taking home?