DOKKEN · Breaking The Chains | CD

CD in digipak.

Background information about 'Breaking The Chains'

When you talk about the birth pangs of the L.A. glam metal scene, Dokken's debut Breaking the Chains is one of those records that simply cannot be overlooked. Originally released in 1981 under the title Breakin' the Chains on the French label Carrere, it wasn't until 1983 that the album got its proper U.S. release – and with it, the world finally started paying attention to Don Dokken's soaring, unmistakable voice. This thing is raw, hungry, and absolutely dripping with that early '80s Sunset Strip energy. From the opening title track, you can feel a band that's been grinding it out in the clubs, ready to burst onto the big stage. George Lynch's guitar work is already ferocious here – those riffs on "Felony" and "Nightrider" are pure, unadulterated hard rock fury that would go on to define an entire generation of shredders.

What makes Breaking the Chains so special is how it straddles the line between the gritty hard rock of the late '70s and the more polished melodic metal that Dokken would perfect on later albums like Tooth and Nail. Tracks like "In the Middle" showcase the band's knack for hook-laden songwriting, while "Young Girls" and "Stick to Your Guns" deliver that fist-pumping, anthemic quality that made arenas shake. The live bonus track "Paris Is Burning," recorded in Berlin in December 1982, is a blistering glimpse of what Dokken sounded like in their natural habitat – on stage, feeding off the crowd's electricity. Jeff Pilson's bass and Mick Brown's drumming lock in tight, giving Lynch the runway he needs to absolutely soar. This is the sound of a band on the verge, and you can hear every ounce of that hunger in the grooves.

For fans of:
Ratt, Quiet Riot, Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, W.A.S.P., Great White

Other Versions

TRANSLUCENT RED LP · 29,99 €

Track listing

1. Breaking the Chains
2. In the Middle
3. Felony
4. I Can't See You
5. Live to Rock (Rock to Live)
6. Nightrider
7. Seven Thunders
8. Young Girls
9. Stick to Your Guns
10. Paris Is Burning (Recorded Live in Berlin, Dec. 1982)

Manufacturer: Universal Music GmbH, Mühlenstraße 25, 10243 Berlin, Germany, Contact: umusic.com