'Am I Evil?' is a heavy metal song written by Sean Harris & Brian Tatler, both from the British band Diamond Head and released on their 1980 debut album Lightning to the Nations on 'Happy Face Records' (the band's own label).
The lyrics tell the tale of a young male that become mentally deranged after the death of his mother and goes on a killing spree. In interviews guitarist Brian Tatler has explained that the song started off with him trying to beat Black Sabbath's Symptom of the Universe[1] and just evolved over eighteen months and incorporating an introduction based on Mars from Gustav Holst's The Planets.The lyrics were then laid down by front man Harris trying to match the evilness of the riff. Metallica's Lars Ulrich has gone on to say that this song is "the heaviest song that's ever been recorded.
The song was originally released on their 1980 debut, Lightning to the Nations but then also re-recorded for their second album Borrowed Time. The song also remains a live favourite and still remains in the band's setlist to this day. Although Sean Harris did get fed up with constantly playing Am I Evil? and one of the reasons why he came out dressed at the Grim Reaper during their performance at the National Bowl
The song was made most famous from Metallica's cover of the song as a B-Side to Creeping Death (later released on Garage Inc.) and also featured in their live set throughout their career. Diamond Head have stated that they are flattered by the cover, and that the royalties from it have enabled the band to continue.Faith No More have also covered the song.
In December 2004 Am I Evil got voted the 5th best heavy metal riff.
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