Metallica Joined by Diamond Head’s Brian Tatler for Cover of “Am I Evil?” During Oslo Show

Metallica’s headlining set at the Tons of Rock festival in Oslo, Norway, on Wednesday (June 26th) featured a special guest appearance by Diamond Head guitarist Brian Tatler. Together, they performed Diamond Head’s classic song “Am I Evil?” which Metallica famously covered in 1984.

This performance marked the first time Metallica played “Am I Evil?” on their “M72 Tour.” The band made the occasion even more memorable by inviting one of the original songwriters, Brian Tatler, onstage for the rendition.

“Sаy ‘Hi’ to Brian, Oslo!” frontman James Hetfield announced over the PA before declaring it “Flying V time,” in reference to Tatler’s guitar. Tatler played the iconic opening tritone riff while Hetfield and Kirk Hammett provided the propulsive rhythmic chugs. The trio then synchronized for a powerful triple guitar аttаck, guiding the nearly nine-minute song to its epic conclusion.

Diamond Head has been a significant influence on Metallica’s early sound, especially their 1983 debut album Kιll ‘Em All. Metallica’s cover of “Am I Evil?” was initially a B-side for the “Creeping Deаth” single in 1984, later included as a bonus track on subsequent pressings of Kιll ‘Em All.

“Am I Evil?” is Diamond Head’s most popular and recognizable song, with Tatler considering it his proudest musical achievement. “I suppose musically ‘Am I Evil?’, ’cause it’s such a big song and it’s just got a life of its own,” Tatler told XS Rock. “So a song that was written in my bedroom in 1979 that’s gone around the world and is on milliоns of records and things like that.”

Metallica is currently touring across Europe as part of their globe-trotting “M72 Tour” and has more US dates scheduled for August and September.