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"Excellent from one end to the other, "Walls Of Jericho" is a classic of melodic metal and even of heavy metal in general."
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4/5
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Helloween released its first album, "Walls Of Jericho", at the end of 1985, after a short German tour with Grave Digger. Since the release of their first mini album, the band has not been idle since this album is recorded between September and October 1985, in the same studio, but this time with more consequent means. Musically, Helloween still offers a music quite unique for the time, namely a melodic speed metal at the limit of Thrash. But the melodic aspect is reinforced here compared to the beginnings of the band and the vocals of Kai Hansen is more controlled.
After a short eponymous introduction with the trumpet in reference to the title of the record, "Ride The Sky", a very raging and effective track, starts the hostilities. This one is indeed of a speed to make pale the tenors of the Thrash of the time with an unstoppable riff, a very forward drums and a huge, epic and instantaneous chorus. After this thunderous beginning, the record does not decrease in intensity with more melodic tracks. The speed side is still very present but we can already feel a certain evolution. On "Guardians", an old track reworked for the occasion, the band's own playful aspect is present, "Reptile" is more heavy with its rather present bass and "Phantoms Of Death" which offers a main riff very close to Iron Maiden, even sees some keyboards making their appearance.
The second part of the album presents four great tracks, very efficient, made to ignite the stages. "Metal Invaders" first and foremost with its huge opening riff, followed by "Gorgar", a slightly calmer track, then "Heavy Metal (Is The Law)", another very fast track in which Hansen pushes his voice very hard, and finally "How Many Tears", which closes the record in a magnificent way, both speed and epic and offering a splendid melodic break.
Excellent from one end to the other, "Walls Of Jericho" is a classic of the genre and even of heavy metal in general. Even if Kai Hansen's vocals can be a bit disturbing, he is essential in this album as his voice fits perfectly to the tracks. Helloween confirms here all its potential and even allows itself to propose a great number of titles which are still unavoidable. - Official website
Did you know?
 "Walls of Jericho" features guest vocals from Kai Hansen's former bandmate and future Gamma Ray vocalist, Ralf Scheepers.
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Walls Of Jericho (00:53)
02. Ride The Sky (05:54)
03. Reptile (03:45)
04. Guardians (04:19)
05. Phantoms Of Death (06:33)
06. Metal Invaders (04:10)
07. Gorgar (03:57)
08. Heavy Metal (Is the Law) (04:08)
09. How Many Tears (07:11)
LINEUP:
Ingo Schwichtenberg: Batterie
Kai Hansen: Chant / Guitares
Markus Grosskopf: Basse
Michael Weikath: Guitares
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3.4/5 (5 view(s))
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