WALL OF JERICHO ALBUM
One of the most influential and seminal bands to the institution of heavy metal is the German band Helloween. Their pioneering work on developing and innovating the power metal genre has given them accolades across the world. Indeed, many would declare Keeper of the Seven Keys Pts. 1 and 2 to be the inception of power metal as we know it. However, of course, one album precedes both of these works: Walls of Jericho. With its meteoric pacing and the wailing vocals of Kai Hansen, it is rather easy to see where power metal attained its precepts and general form.
Taking a broad look at the album, the overall style can be described as being speed metal with more epic leanings. This can especially be seen in the songs "Ride the Sky" and "Metal Invaders," both of which take a more aggressive approach to this formula, barely slowing down at all. On the other hand, "Guardians" is certainly fast, but infuses a more melodic and uplifting feeling that, in hindsight, is very indicative to the future albums by the band, which are what became known as power metal. Two songs, however, do eschew the faster pace of the album in general to deliver a more mid-paced approach more based in traditional heavy metal; these tracks are "Phantoms of Death" and "Gorgar." The former is the best song on Walls of Jericho in my personal opinion. Atmospheric keyboards are layered over the verses, which lead to a frantic bridge section, culminating in a chorus that forcefully repeats the name of the song in a Grave Digger like fashion. The lyrics are especially memorable to me; the way Kai Hansen screams out "GENOCIDE! Everywhere! Where's the savior of this world?" during the bridge is very satisfying to the listener. "Phantoms of Death" also has an awesome solo section, especially as it explodes towards its end from a relatively slower start. Now back to "Gorgar," this song is about an evil pinball machine, with a more mischievous sound to the overall song. The heavy main riff is reminiscent of Metallica's "Ride the Lightning," but it works rather well here too. The only song on Walls of Jericho that I somewhat dislike is "Heavy Metal (Is The Law)." This song has "call-and-response" sections that probably transfer well to a live setting, but they really don't make the song agreeable to me when I want to listen to a studio album. The true epic of the album is its closer, "How Many Tears." The crushing, hefty main riff completely and utterly thrashes and pummels its way to the listener, and Hansen's truculent voice brims with power. The softer mid-section provides temporary relief from the onslaught, which then recovers with full force. "How Many Tears" is one of Michael Weikath's best songs, and one of the highlights of their career.
The albums frenetic nature that is inherent in its genre means that this is probably Helloween's most technical album when it comes to essentially every instrument, barring perhaps the vocals if those are considered. Michael Weikath and Kai Hansen deliver some of Helloween's most memorable solos on Walls of Jericho, with the aforementioned "Ride the Sky" and "Phantoms of Death" being the greatest example of this. Markus Grosskopf also plays many invigorating bass parts on Walls of Jericho, the most obvious show of this being his bouncy and melodious playing on "Guardians." And while I will maintain that Uli Kusch is the superior Helloween drummer, Ingo Schwichtenberg still plays very robust and strong parts on every song, though he plays rather straightforwardly in this manner, albeit fast (kind of like Scott Travis on Painkiller, for example). The production of Walls of Jericho also lends itself well to everything being heard. It's a bit raw, and the bass has an oddly flat tone to it (in terms of sound, not pitch), but it works rather well in keeping the album powerful and immense. Kai Hansen's voice is a bit nasally and at this time, quite raspy. In Gamma Ray he worked to clean up his voice quite a bit, but there is very little of that here. When I first listened to Walls of Jericho, I really did not like his voice at all; however, it really grew on me over time, so if you find yourself in a similar situation, try to give the album a few chances before you discount it on the basis of Hansen's vocals.
Though Helloween would continue on in their career to propagate and spread the power metal genre, Walls of Jericho still remains as one of their finest releases. It is perhaps interesting to wonder if an even better album in this style could have been created by Helloween if they had continued with crafting masterful speed metal. Now that Kai Hansen is back in the band, perhaps we will see more songs of this style on the next Helloween record. For now, we have Walls of Jericho.
(As a side note, "Reptile" has some of the worst lyrics of any song by Helloween. Check them out. Ugh.)
Daftar lagu
1. Walls of Jericho 00:49 instrumental
2. Ride the Sky 05:57
Much too long I've been a prisoner here
The hour has come to break out
Shackled and chained almost goin' insane
It's better to live on the run
Set me free, set me free
Send me a sign, wanna leave it all behind
I'll be leaving the hands of doom
Rearrange the master plan, take the future in my hands
To be free and not trapped anymore
Ride the sky, Ride the sky
Give me wings to fly, Ride the sky
I have to think for myself and then act
In conformity of my own thoughts
No one should tell me what's wrong and what's right
Why don't you leave me alone
Set me free, set me free
Ride the sky, Ride the sky
Give me wings to fly, Ride the sky
3. Reptile 03:45
Coming from the sewerage creepin' thru the pipes
Born from modern chemistry a thing that is alive
Growing in this rotten crap at places no one wipes
Eating rats and stinking shit and all it needs to thrive
The scientists got no way to fight
For they can't find any weak point to get rid of it right
You live your life and you don't know what's goin' on
You just can't stop a thinking that the officials do you wrong
You're sometimes wondering what the hell bit your baby's arm
And the nuns at the holy mission can't keep the tramps from harm
Even thieves around dark corners too scared to leave the door
Frustrated businessmen needing a wank can't find themselves a whore
You won't believe 'till you know that it's real
From the pain in your stomach and the horror you feel
You need a shit so you head off to the loo
You're coming to the bog, now what you're gonna do !
Chorus:
There's the Reptile (Reptile)
Just see his eyes
Reptile (Reptile)
Can you see the beast arise
Chorus:
Reptile (Reptile)
Creeping up on you
Reptile (Reptile)
There's nothing left that you can do
Solo: Kai / Mike
Chorus:
And there's the Reptile (Reptile)
Hidden till now
Reptile (Reptile)
But now it's there you don't know how
Chorus:
Reptile (Reptile)
Just watch it grow
Reptile (Reptile)
And there's no more human being left but you
Oerrrps!
4. Guardians 04:21
We're living in our units
And one thing we can do is
Work for a life without a fate
We don't pay any taxes
But the state is the axes
Of our minds without love without hate
We have a higher order
No one needs to be a hoarder
Our society is such a glorious thing
In our centers we can dream of
Anything you never think of
You can't say we are puppets on a string
Our minds are kept so clean
Checked up on a screen
They're holy men, they're saints
Without them we might all fail
We don't know war and crime
Things of ancient times
We just see it if we put on video
The blue pass is for my life
And the red one's for my wife
It's the only thing we really need to show
There are still some without rules
But I tell you, they're all fools
The Guardians will find them as we've seen
We got banks where we freeze them
They get new brains screwed in then
And act contrarily to what they have been
With new minds made so clean
Checked up on a screen
They will be the saints
Without them we might all fail
Guardians of our lives
Protect security
They turn the key and they step in
Controlling you and me
Guardians of our lives
Take care eternally
Solo: both / Kai / Mike
Guardians of our lives
Protect security
They turn the key and they step in
Controlling you and me
Guardians of our lives
Take care eternally
We're puppets on a string
Puppets on a string
5. Phantoms of Death 06:35
There are phantoms here on earth who take away our lives
They kill your kids and they rape your wives
They rip your flesh tear your heart take you down to hell
They don't give a damn on any kind of life
Phantoms bring evil, destruction and death
Night after night the same old game
They all look so harmless but deep in their hearts
Satan is lurking, and he will break out
Always someone at your back only waiting to attack
Phantoms of death, Phantoms of death
The empire of deceivers is built upon your fear
You'll have to lose it 'cause the end is near
Warheads, armies stand to strike I know it isn't right
I wanna get out of here I don't wanna die
Infernal destruction in fire you'll burn
Then you'll be helpless but it's not too late
Stand up right now and you'll be the winner
Or Satan will get you, take you forever
Genocide everywhere, where's the saviour of this world
Phantoms of death, Phantoms of death
Solo: Mike / Kai / Mike / Kai / Kai / both
Where is he the promised saviour the one who'll save the earth
Perhaps he'll come to bury us but then it'll be too late
Who are they who are the phantoms who will end our lives
It's you and me, you and me open up your eyes
Phantoms bring evil, destruction and death
Night after night the same old game
They all look so harmless but deep in their hearts
Satan is lurking, and he will break out
We are all parasites of this world we shall die
Phantoms of death, Phantoms of death
6. Metal Invaders 04:12
Full moon standing in the streets
I know the time is near
Incarnate power roaring from the sky
Unrelenting forces blasting through the air
Roaring thunder lift your hands and pray
Running through the empty streets they're looking for the fight
Swords gleam in the light of moon the gods prepare to strike
Chorus:
Metal invaders, ready to strike
A warning from hell, be careful tonight
Dark night overwhelming bright light
See the demons fly
Can't trust your senses fear you'll have to die
Super mighty shadows casting amplitudes to ears
Sounds you've never heard that take you high
Time has come for them to rise, invasion is their doom
Riding high on iron horses in the light of moon
Chorus:
Metal invaders, the gods on their ride
Sworn to bring metal, mayhem tonight
Solo: both
7. Gorgar 03:57
You're runnin' around in the gamblin' hall
Every night it's the same
You're lookin' for something new to play
To win and have fun is your aim
A pinball speaks to you
His metal voice is knockin' in your head
You can't resist you'll have to play
You're just another victim caught in the trap
Chorus:
Gorgar will eat you, Gorgar - man you'll never win - hey
Gorgar will eat you, Gorgar - but you keep on playin' - hey
Your blood is boilin' your eyes grow wide -
Advance - too late
Gamblin' fever has taken your mind - this fuckin' machine of hate
You spend all your money but you'll never win
You're always the loser and the robot's voice keeps hammering
Chorus:
Gorgar will eat you, Gorgar - man you'll never win - hey
Gorgar will eat you, Gorgar - but you keep on playin' - hey
Wastin' money for fun every night
Livin' for today no thoughts for tomorrow
Man you are dead don't you realize
Wake up and live before it's too late
Solo: Mike / Kai
Chorus:
Gorgar will eat you, Gorgar - man you'll never win - hey
Gorgar will eat you, Gorgar - but you keep on playin' - hey
TILT
8. Heavy Metal (Is the Law) 04:01
Fight hard
Live fast
Play loud
Step out of the crowd
Iron
Rulin'
Steel bent
Forever the faith will live on in our hearts
There's nothing else in all the world
That will bring it down
We will play our wildest step to all around
We need it as a liquid in our veins instead of blood
Power
Burnin'
Brains out
United metallians ready to strike
White heat
Red hot
Mayhem
If you don't feel it you won't understand
There's nothing else in all the world
That will bring it down
We will play our wildest step to all around
We need it as a liquid in our veins instead of blood
Chorus:
Heavy Metal is the law that keeps us all united free
A law that shatters earth and hell
Heavy Metal can't be beaten by any dynasty
We're all wizards fightin' with our spell
Solo: Mike / both
Chorus
9. How Many Tears 07:16
A lot of things occur each day
We've got to live with on our way
There's so much misery on the screen
With commercials in between
And the Russians won't be so late
Uncle Sam don't wanna wait
No matter if you're black or white
You never ever had a right
And look up to the eternal skies
See warfare even there
What once has been a paradise
Now destruction and despair
In other worlds the children die
Lacking food ill from a fly
Oppressed by troops to tame their land
It's all the same again
If any man is free on earth
Then tormentors steal his birth
They slam gun butts in his face
And leave his woman choked in mace
So stand up for our human rights
Push back this pest of hate
Raise your voice pass on the light
Unite! it's not too late
How many tears flow away
To become a sea of fears
How many hearts are torn apart
Till another torment starts
But before the world
Turns into a sun
All cruelty and violence
On earth will be dead and gone
But before the world
Turns into a sun
All cruelty and violence
On earth will be dead and gone
Solo: both / both / Mike / both
So stand up for our human rights
Push back this pest of hate
Raise your voice pass on the light
Unite! It's not too late
How many tears flow away
To become a sea of fears
How many hearts are torn apart
Till another torment starts
But before the world
Turns into a sun
All cruelty and violence
On earth will be dead and gone
But before the world
Turns into a sun
All cruelty and violence
On earth will be dead and gone
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for any of this material!
Copyright belongs to Helloween
and Noise Recordings!
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