Local headbangers will get the chance to rock out to English metal band Diamond Head this coming Saturday, May 7.

Going strong since 1976, the band is recognised as one of the leading members of the new wave of British heavy metal. They will play a gig at Razzett L-Aħmar.

The band recorded their debut album – known as Lightning to the Nations, although officially untitled – in 1980. The band have now released a self-titled album - their first new music in eight years - featuring new singer Rasmus Bom Anderson.

The Danish-born, London-based musician joined the band back in 2014, when he joined on a European tour which included appearances at Hard Rock Hell and Head Bangers Open Air in Germany.

The new addition led to a fresh spark of creativity, with the band starting work on the new album in January 2015. Brian Tatler, founder of Diamond Head, credited the band's new frontman with giving the group a new lease of life. "Ras has certainly renewed the energy within the band," he said.

"I had no interest in doing a new record, but after working with him on the European tour all that suddenly changed. He’s a confident singer and he’s not trying to fill anyone’s shoes.”

The musician said that the band's latest record "has an echo of the early albums, but it pushes our music forward somewhere new, if possible.”

Ras said the band kept fans in mind throughout the recording process. “We wanted to write songs that would have ties to the best parts of all the previous albums. We achieved what we set out to do and we hope everyone will hear and feel the Diamond Head spirit in the new, eponymous record.”

The album lyrics focus on political and environment themes, specifically warning against the many ways we are leaning towards self-destruction. The opening and closing songs encapsulate these themes, with the body of the album exploring subtopics in more depth, along with songs dealing with lighter topics.

Diamond Head will perform at Razzett l-Aħmar on May 7. Tickets are available online.