DOKKEN — Under Lock And Key (review)

DOKKEN — Under Lock And Key album cover Album · 1985 · Glam Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
Stephen
"Under Lock And Key" puts Dokken at their top of their game. This third release displayed a more mature approach, a brilliant bridging composition between classic heavy metal, 80s hard rock, and some commercial feel, and a superior skill of the members. This is clearly the album that made me worship the band, aside from many strong tracks spread all over the record, I'm always in awe with Don's mighty voice layered with Lynch's monstrous shred. Both of them, actually all of them, sounded extremely ambitious to deliver the best they got, and they succeed.

From the opening, "Unchain The Night", this is pure heavy metal and watch Don's thunderous pipe convincingly crawling from the big verse to the catchy chorus. "Lightnin' Strikes Again" and "Til The Livin' End" are also bringing out the pounding drums, sky-cracking guitars, and some hellish solos, which are simply stunning. Three radio hits inside are also worth listening, "The Hunter" is okay, "In My Dreams" has some nice chorus and deadly solos, but "It's Not Love" that really caught my attention. The punchy rhythm and tense chorus are magnificent, no wonder Lynch declared that this is one of his most fave track. "Slippin' Away" is a sweet and tender ballad, an underrated piece that's shadowed by their previous hit, "Alone Again", which I think is inferior compared to this one.

If you haven't heard them before and would like to try the band, this album is a perfect pick for starter. They got everything huge inside and after giving another spin for the hundredth time, this album is as fresh and great as ever and sits nicely in my top 10 albums of all time.
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