BLACK DIAMOND faces RCT001

German Underground Steel: Black Diamond’s ‘Faces’ EP (RCT 001)

Today’s entry uncovers an obscure gem from the mid-80s German heavy metal explosion. We are looking at the 1985 12-inch EP Faces by Black Diamond, released on the independent label Rooceter Music with the catalog number RCT 001.

Teutonic Metal Obscurity
Hailing from the North Rhine-Westphalia region, Black Diamond delivers that distinct, rough-around-the-edges sound characteristic of the German underground in 1985. This EP is a mix of traditional heavy metal and hard rock, featuring dual guitars and the gritty vocals of Uwe Merz.

The Tracks
The EP opens with the anthem “Fight Together,” a collaborative writing effort featuring Ralf Oelke and guitarist Andreas Roch. Side A concludes with “Break Out.”

Side B kicks off with a short instrumental intro titled “Metal Opening” before launching into a trio of hard-hitting tracks: “Rockwire,” the self-explanatory “Hardrock,” and the closing track “Temple Of Love.” Interestingly, the credits reveal a lineup change within the EP itself: Side A features Guido Meyer on drums, while Side B features Klaus Nowack, suggesting these tracks may have been recorded during different sessions.

Collector’s Details

RCT 001 is a classic example of the “private press” spirit of the 80s metal scene, where bands self-financed their way onto vinyl to leave their mark on history.