Breaking the Chains

Though it pre-dates Tooth and Nail by a year, I would venture to say this one sold more copies after their second cd than before. Dokken’s first full-length album, like many metal cds of that time is ripe with clichés and generic song writing. Even the title track, it’s most famous offering, is a rather ho-hum affair, but the live recording of Paris is Burning still stands up pretty well. What it lacked in songwriting and originality, it made up for with an undeniable talent and skill level that many of their contemporary peers lacked. Even back then you could see the budding birth of a guitar hero, making Breaking the Chains essential for any guitar fan or Dokken collection. --Scott