HELLOWEEN — Walls of Jericho (review)

HELLOWEEN — Walls of Jericho album cover Album · 1985 · Speed Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
RuneWalsh2112
I'm sure that fans of the band's EP were not disappointed with the material that they've got to experience of Helloween's full length album. "Walls Of Jericho" not only shows signs of progression from the raw and unpolished sound of their debut EP but there are also a few more sounds and sights added to the mix.

The album's obligatory intro followed by another classic Hansen scream are just as epic as they were on the EP but then Helloween delivers the track that can easily be considered their best fusion of the Thrash/Speed Metal styles with a hint of Power Metal sprinkled just to add some flavor to the mix. "Ride The Sky" is easily my favorite track on the album, even though the closing number "How Many Tears" does come close to excellence as well on a few occasions.

Unfortunately I've never really enjoyed the more straightforward approach of "Reptile" and "Gorgar", both of which began a trend of filler tracks on all the consecutive Helloween releases. "Guardians" can be considered the first true Power Metal track and it's quite an enjoyable introduction to the sub-genre that the band would be known for in just a few years time. "Phantoms Of Death" and "Metal Invaders" remind me a lot of "Murderer" and "Warrior", from the EP. Both are pretty enjoyable in their own right.

"Heavy Metal (Is The Law)" is a straightforward head banging anthem that I have a love and hate relationship with. It's a pretty awesome track that I love to spin on a few occasions but can never listen to it all the way through because of it's repetitive nature. "How Many Tears" returns the band to greatness. This time it's actually Weikath who shows that he's quite a composer in his own right and that's pretty much everything I have to say about this track!

"Walls Of Jericho" is definitely an excellent debut from a band that we're clearly on their way to greatness. The next two albums might have made them the icons that they are today but I really hope that fans won't overlook the band's humble beginnings since they are definitely worth your time and attention!

***** star songs: Walls Of Jericho (0:49) Ride The Sky (5:57) Guardians (4:19) How Many Tears (7:17)

**** star songs: Phantoms Of Death (6:37) Metal Invaders (4:11) Heavy Metal (Is The Law) (4:02)

*** star songs: Reptile (3:45) Gorgar (3:55)
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