Helloeen- Walls of Jericho

In the early , early 80's when we were slapped against the head by the thrash/speed movement brought on by the likes of Metallicca , Kreator , Onslaught , Slayer and a host of others...there began a slow rumbling in the small country of Germany...a rumbling that would soon turn into a major influental explosion to many other bands in the years to come of this style. In 83' Kai Hansen (guitar , vocals) , Michael Wiekath (guitar) , Ingo Schwichtenburg (drums) and Markus Grosskoph (bass) came onto the metal scene with a 5 track EP , right after placing 2 tracks on a Noise compilation called 'Death Metal'. From this EP... the journey of these evilish pumkinheads began...and in 85' 'Walls Of Jericho' became basically the first slab of thrash/speed to have a heaping layer of melody onto it...one element that lacked on alot of the other groups of this genre.
The title track intro begins with horns blaring....reminiscent to that childhood song we know here in the states as 'London Bridge Is Falling Down'...but as we hear the wall actually crumbling down...the destruction begins hehehehe.
'Ride The Sky' comes ripping in at top notch speed with melodic qualities abound. Right after hearing this song , one can only think that this quality is what basically sets Helloween apart from the other speed thrashers at this time. And the trading back and forth of axe licks from Weikath and Hansan in a Maidenish way is also an added bonus in my book! After this excellent thrashy opener ends...a midpace ballsy piece comes in titled 'Reptile'. 'Reptile' is worth a good listen to and is much better on this LP than on the previous EP recording wise.
'Guardians' is a hellish foxtrot with harmoniuos choruses...and an excellent combination to make this a very tasty heart stopper. 'Phantoms Of Death' is another Euro speed classic from this band with a heaping handful of trading riffery all around.
As I flip the vinyl over , and place the stylus in it's correct positon , 'Metal Invaders' begins its thrashful neverending beating to the senses with a hooky bridgework to add to it. Now, if there is any imperfections of any kind on this minor masterpiece it would be these 3 points. The recording in itself is not the best of course...sometimes it comes off as too crunchy. And Hansan's vocals aren't half bad (rather refreshing to hear a singer actually sing than grunt and/or growl in a thrash speed group) , but at times his voice seems to wane. And thirdly , the song 'Gorgar'. 'Gorgar' is noticably corny and not one of their best pieces...but hey...you can't have everything :o). The next track makes up for the last one...one of my all time faves and raves from Helloween , 'Heavy Metal Is The Law'. This , my fellow leather strapping spike wielding fiends, is killer speed metal at it's best...basted with a croud pleasing , head bashing off , carbon steel attitude. The closer is 'How Many Tears'. This track is another personal fave , especially after hearing them play this live in concert in 87'.Another barnstormer with a slight accoustic middle...only to ride that euro/speed rocket high into the heavens once again. And there you have it. One of the biggest contributers to the thrash/speed era at it's time. With a splash of euro and melody , Helloween proved in 85' that they would be a force to wreckon with. Yes...1985 was a good year....

WitchfinderGen - 9/16/02