DOKKEN – The Elektra Albums 1983-1987 [4xCD box set] (2023)
DOKKEN‘s million-selling, worldwide-charting first four studio albums (“Breaking The Chains”, “Tooth And Nail”, “Under Lock And Key” and ” Back For The Attack “) — are being released as a limited edition box set titled ”The Elektra Albums 1983-1987” via BMG.
All of the albums feature the classic lineup of Don Dokken (vocals), George Lynch (guitar), Jeff Pilson (bass), and “Wild” Mick Brown (drums).
Hailing from Los Angeles, DOKKEN released a string of platinum albums throughout the 1980s, and toured the globe with the biggest names in hard rock and heavy metal. The band had several hit singles on the Mainstream Rock and Billboard Hot 100 charts, and were all over MTV with their videos for “Breaking The Chains”, “Alone Again”, “Into The Fire”, “In My Dreams”, “It’s Not Love”, “Burning Like A Flame” and especially the theme from “Nightmare On Elm Street 3”, “Dream Warriors”, where the DOKKEN members starred alongside Freddy Krueger.
In October 2016, the classic lineup of DOKKEN — Don, George, Jeff and Mick — reunited to play the Loud Park festival in Japan. Fortunately for fans outside of Japan, cameras were there to capture the performance and Frontiers Music issued “Return To The East Live 2016” in April 2018. The package also included a new song called “It’s Just Another Day”, the first DOKKEN track featuring the group’s classic lineup since 1997’s “Shadowlife”, and two acoustic re-workings of classic tracks.
Since completing the Japanese reunion dates, DOKKEN has continued to perform with the group’s current lineup — including bassist Chris McCarvill, guitarist Jon Levin and drummer BJ Zampa (HOUSE OF LORDS).
DOKKEN recently finished recording a new studio album, tentatively due next year via Silver Lining Music, the label owned by Thomas Jensen, one of the founders of Germany’s Wacken Open Air festival.
It will mark the group’s first disc since 2012’s “Broken Bones”.
Now you probably have all these Dokken albums in one way or another… worth ‘The Elektra Albums 1983-1987’ a purchase?
If you are a physical format fanatic: yes. If you are a collector: yes.
There’s one thing though: the box set isn’t cheap. For the same money you can get the Rock Candy remasters, at least used copies.
However, if you are a vinyl enthusiast, this is a must: there’s a 5-LP version of this release, with ‘Back for the Attack’ split into 2-LP to obtain more ‘space’ and better sound quality.
One thing is for sure:: all these are essential if you love Dokken and ’80s glammy melodic hard rock.
CD 1: Breakin’ the Chains (1981)
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 (Live in Berlin, 1982)
CD 2: Tooth and Nail (1984)
1. Without Warning
2. Tooth and Nail
3. Just Got Lucky
4. Heartless Heart
5. Don’t Close Your Eyes
6. When Heaven Comes Down
7. Into the Fire
8. Bullets to Spare
9. Alone Again
10. Turn on the Action
CD 3: Under Lock and Key (1985)
1. Unchain the Night
2. The Hunter
3. In My Dreams
4. Slippin’ Away
5. Lightnin’ Strikes Again
6. It’s Not Love
7. Jaded Heart
8. Don’t Lie to Me
9. Will the Sun Rise
10. Til the Livin’ End
CD 4: Back for the Attack (1987)
1. Kiss of Death
2. Prisoner
3. Night by Night
4. Standing in the Shadows
5. Heaven Sent
6. Mr. Scary
7. So Many Tears
8. Burning Like a Flame
9. Lost Behind the Wall
10. Stop Fighting Love
11. Cry of the Gypsy
12. Sleepless Night
13. Dream Warriors
BUY
napalmrecords.com/english/dokken-the-elektra-albums-1983-1987-cd-box.html