Is Walls of Jericho a good place to start with Helloween?

Yes, Walls of Jericho is recommended as a starting point for new Helloween listeners. Melodic riffs and soaring vocals intertwine with aggressive rhythms, creating an anthemic power metal experience that is both forceful and uplifting. Walls of Jericho marked Helloween's debut album, launching them into the forefront of the emerging power metal scene in the mid-1980s. Released in January 1985, this album set the groundwork for their influential sound, following their early demos and positioning them for future success alongside other bands like Blind Guardian.

Who is Walls of Jericho for?

Walls of Jericho works well if you're into dynamic emotional journeys, long, immersive listening sessions and gradual builds and payoffs.

How many songs are on Walls of Jericho?

Walls of Jericho has 14 tracks, running approximately 72 minutes.

Walls of Jericho

Helloween · 1985

72 min · 14 tracks · power metal

Melodic riffs and soaring vocals intertwine with aggressive rhythms, creating an anthemic power metal experience that is both forceful and uplifting.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Starlight Start here — The opening track encapsulates the essence of the album with its infectious melodies and powerful hooks, establishing Helloween's signature sound.
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Cry for Freedom — This track features poignant lyrics about liberation that resonate deeply, showcasing the band's ability to blend thematic depth with technical prowess.
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Walls of Jericho / Ride the Sky — The title track combines epic storytelling with intricate musicianship, highlighting the band's dynamic range and ambition within the genre.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong melodies and energetic performances, establishing a solid foundation for future power metal.

What we noticed

The album features rapid tempo changes, with tracks alternating between aggressive riffs and melodic interludes.
Vocals often soar above the instrumentation, creating a distinct contrast that emphasizes the lyrical themes of struggle and triumph.
Several tracks incorporate dual guitar harmonies, which are a hallmark of the power metal genre, enhancing the anthemic quality of the music.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic emotional journeys
long, immersive listening sessions
gradual builds and payoffs
atmospheric background focus

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Debut album that established Helloween's reputation in power metal.
Themes: freedom and liberation· 1980s power metal scene
Moods: Melancholy· Uplifting
Career context: Walls of Jericho marked Helloween's debut album, launching them into the forefront of the emerging power metal scene in the mid-1980s. Released in January 1985, this album set the groundwork for their influential sound, following their early demos and positioning them for future success alongside other bands like Blind Guardian.
Stylistic neighbors: Gamma Ray· Stratovarius· Blind Guardian