Hellbound cover

Hellbound

Warlock · 1985

37 min · 9 tracks · heavy metal

An electrifying blend of heavy riffs and powerful vocals that captures the raw energy of mid-80s metal.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Wrathchild — This track stands out with its aggressive riffs and catchy chorus, encapsulating the essence of Warlock’s heavy metal style while emphasizing Doro Pesch's powerful vocals.
  • →
    Hellbound — The title track introduces listeners to the album's thematic focus on rebellion and strength, featuring driving rhythms and anthemic melodies that resonate throughout.
  • →
    Earthshaker Rock — With its infectious energy and sing-along potential, this track exemplifies the band's ability to create engaging party anthems while maintaining their heavy sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

Hellbound showcases strong riffs and vocals typical of mid-80s metal, with some standout tracks but uneven pacing.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a title track that features a fast-paced tempo and aggressive guitar riffs, setting a high-energy tone.
  • Each song typically follows a verse-chorus structure, with powerful vocal lines that are often accompanied by harmonized guitar solos.
  • The last three tracks slow down the tempo slightly, creating a contrast to the earlier intensity and allowing for more melodic exploration.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Time to Die

    The lyrics shift from a narrative perspective to a direct confrontation with mortality, creating a stark urgency.

    This moment breaks from earlier verses by using direct address, heightening the emotional impact and inviting listeners into an introspective dialogue.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Hellbound 3:40
  • 2 All Night 4:02
  • 3 Earthshaker Rock 3:26
  • 4 Wrathchild 3:31
  • 5 Down and Out 4:06
  • 6 Out of Control 4:48
  • 7 Time to Die 4:28
  • 8 Shout It Out 4:19
  • 9 Catch My Heart 4:55

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata