Helloween - Walls Of Jericho review
| Band: | Helloween |
| Album: | Walls Of Jericho |
| Style: | Power metal, Speed metal |
| Release date: | 1985 |
| Guest review by: | Talvi |
01. Walls Of Jericho
02. Ride The Sky
03. Reptile
04. Guardians
05. Phantoms Of Death
06. Metal Invaders
07. Gorgar
08. Heavy Metal (Is The Law)
09. How Many Tears
Disc I [2006 Expanded Edition]
01. Starlight [1987 reissue bonus]
02. Murderer [1987 reissue bonus]
03. Warrior [1987 reissue bonus]
04. Victim Of Fate [1987 reissue bonus]
05. Cry For Freedom [1987 reissue bonus]
06. Walls Of Jericho
07. Ride The Sky
08. Reptile
09. Guardians
10. Phantoms Of Death
11. Metal Invaders
12. Gorgar
13. Heavy Metal (Is The Law)
14. How Many Tears
15. Judas [1987 reissue bonus]
Disc II [2006 Expanded Edition]
01. Murderer [remix]
02. Ride The Sky [remix]
03. Intro / Ride The Sky [live]
04. Guardians [live]
05. Oernst Of Life
06. Metal Invaders
07. Surprise Track
The Helloween debut. An album overshadowed by their classics, the Keepers duo. So when you ask people, what were the first and classic metal albums, few recognize this little gem. Even it take me some time to discover it because of that. The other problem is that the production isn't very good. But if you get the remastered album, the problem is fixed. Then, people see Helloween as a power metal band with high pitched vocals. And Kai Hansen nasal vocals are probably not too tolerable. It took me some listens to love his voice. And it's overall much faster than any other Helloween album.
But enough comparisons. Walls Of Jericho is simply the best classic Helloween album. It's also the best speed metal album. Most people say Painkiller, but this is faster, catchier and ages better. I loved Painkiller, but later I was just tired of the riffs or the vocals. But this album, even if it's simple, you can never be tired of it. After a couple of listens, you will have in your mind every melody and every solo.
So well, this is speed proto-power metal, fast, catchy, and, with the remaster, it even sounds good. It ages well, which is, to me, the main problem of many speed metal albums. So what about the songs? Since I'm reviewing the remastered edition, which has the Helloween EP, the Walls Of Jericho album, and Judas. This also has some bonus tracks as well that don't deserve my time. As a Helloween fan, they may be nice, but let's stick to the core of the album.
There are no bad songs. Some things keep this album from being perfect. Those are: Victim of Fate; Cry for Freedom; Reptile; Gorgar. Now, maybe without these tracks the album would be worse. Anyway, the problem is, that the first two just are half fucking killer, probably they are the most vicious moments on the album, but come on, the middle part of Victim of Fate is just silly. As the beginning of Cry for Freedom. Not that I like acoustic intros or interludes, but those two are unnecessary. The others two are classic Helloween silly tracks. They aren't as fast as the rest of the album, which probably make it more tolerable, but they are still a bit mediocre compared with the total killing spree that the other tracks offer. Oh, and the Gorgar solo just rules.
Highlight are probably everything but my personal favorite is Judas. The main riff it's just totally killer. Oh, and even Guardians is a very good song, with fantasy power metal lyrics, but Rhapsody will later make a cover of it. Strange, how can a mediocre band make a better performance from the master of the genre? But even though many bands may sound better, or have better voices, it was the amazing songwriting what made them the legends they are now. So, if you like metal, get this album now. Remember: Heavy metal is the law!
PS: As a minor note, I don't worship Kai Hansen, since I love modern Helloween as much as classic Helloween. But anyway, he's still a metal god.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 10 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 10 |
| Production: | 10 |
Written by Talvi | 15.12.2006
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Rating:
9.6
9.6
|
Rating: 9.6 |
If you go back in time, to the year 1985, you will see a music world where the word "Power Metal" was absent from any metal definition lexicon. It was something unknown. At that time a band called Helloween tried to make its first steps into the music industry. "Walls Of Jericho" is the first full length album of the band. With its speedy sound, catchy rhythm and Kai Hansen's powerful screams, it is considered to be one of the first albums that gave the spark to light this new eruptive genre of metal, called "Power Metal." Many well known bands of today are still inspired by this album. Read more ›› |
Comments
Comments: 14
Visited by: 72 users
| Katatronik Angel of Lust Posts: 1018  |
Maybe 8 in production... For the rest I agree with you, a jewel of speed power!so very good review! 
---- "The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown." Howard Phillips Lovecraft
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| Talvi Posts: 825  |
Written by Katatronik on 15.12.2006 at 14:43 I don't know if I said it, but I've reviewed the remastered edition. Substract 2-3 points in production if it's the original. But I have the remastered only, so that's what the review is for.
---- My account on other musical pages: http://www.last.fm/user/Pozito/ http://rateyourmusic.com/~Talvi
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| Baz Anderson Staff Posts: 13254  |
does the remastered version really sound that much better? worthy of a ten? i only have the original - and it is the production that lets it down more then anything else.
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| Talvi Posts: 825 |
Written by Baz Anderson on 27.01.2007 at 23:03 I've listened to the original too, and I couldn't finish it because of the production. With the remastered one, everything sounds amazing, even Kai's sucky vocals xD
---- My account on other musical pages: http://www.last.fm/user/Pozito/ http://rateyourmusic.com/~Talvi
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| Baz Anderson Staff Posts: 13254 |
haha, yeh - they are probably his worst. it was his first big album though i might have to see if i can get hold of this remastered one then - it will be interesting
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| Stalker Lone wanderer Posts: 2705  |
OK, I have the old version, and I was so annoyed with the (lack of) quality, that I couldnt actually listen to it. But I was amazed with the quality of music it self, so eventually I got used to it, and now its without any doubt my favorite Helloween album. Concerning the vocal abilities of Mr Hansen, well, I must be insane, since I am the only person that actually LOVES his voice, and I must say, my favorite tracks he sung are on this album. Anyway, this album is unique in history of Heavy Metal, and it deserves a solid 10 if you consider the year of release, and that it was actually their first album. Speed, power, amazing solos, angry lyrics in Kai's screaming vocals - thats what this album is. One and only. RIP Helloween.
---- 
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| Dowi Posts: 14 |
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| Snockis Posts: 38  |
Written by Talvi on 28.01.2007 at 05:56 Dude, Kai's vocals doesn't suck, he has a unique voice and a good one also, I didn't like his voice at the beginning, but later I realized that he has one of a kind voice, damn its so unique in every way, know that he sings in a different way now, then what he did during his career as singer for Helloween. You can rally hear the difference, that's a bit fun:P But it's same with Kürsch and Kiske.
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| Talvi Posts: 825 |
Written by Snockis on 16.12.2007 at 19:19 At that time, and when the album was released (note: BAD production), his vocals just were ugly. Now with Gamma Ray he sings very well, but not on Walls of Jericho. Even if it fits the music.
---- My account on other musical pages: http://www.last.fm/user/Pozito/ http://rateyourmusic.com/~Talvi
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| Snockis Posts: 38 |
Written by Talvi on 17.12.2007 at 01:02 Ok, I don't have so much to compare with, only heard Warrior from that album (their original album):( was long time ago i heard it, but as I could rememer it sounded quite well.
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| Talvi Posts: 825 |
Written by Snockis on 17.12.2007 at 01:09 Remastered version or original? One point I'd like to say: I first heard this album as it was released, and couldn't stand it. Then I gived it a second chance with the remastered version, and I love it. Also, Rhapsody's cover of Guardian from this album it's much better than the original, and let's remember their singer isn't so awesome.
---- My account on other musical pages: http://www.last.fm/user/Pozito/ http://rateyourmusic.com/~Talvi
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| ImDirtyDan Posts: 5  |
Am I the only one here who tolerates the production of the origional version?
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071  |
Written by ImDirtyDan on 20.04.2013 at 16:32 nope the original production is good. The remastered one actually sucks quite a bit because it is way too clean.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62020  |
I agree there are no bad songs but painkillker was JP after like many years in metal service, they came up, and its 1991, this was original product from the band
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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was long time ago i heard it, but as I could rememer it sounded quite well.Hits total: 6502 | This month: 32