Customer Reviews

Breaking the Chains (Audio Cassette)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dokken arrives with a bang on their debut, BREAKING THE CHAINS. The album contains a mix of love songs and inspirational anthems that was far more interesting and high-minded than most heavy metal was in 1983 (e.g. Twisted Sister, Judas Priest). The lyrics of "Stick To Your Guns" sound more like they came from a school counselor than from a heavy metal songwriter, which is refreshing considering that most pop-metal bands in the early 80s were heavily obsessed with sex and violence, in addition to other taboo subjects. This album and the next four are essential to any collection of classic rock that spans the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

In 1983, a California-based power metal group known as Dokken released its debut album - Breaking The Chains. Though these days the band is generally forgotten by fans of rock, due to all the eighties rock bands, Dokken was unique. Unlike Poison who only cared about getting women with glam rock tunes or Megadeth who did nothing but complain about the world, Dokken wrote songs that really meant something. With Don Dokken's killer vocals and George Lynch's unrivaled guitar superiority, the group shelled out some of the best power metal songs in history. It's interesting to note this is the band's only album to feature Juan Croucier, who left the band to form Ratt. Read on for my review of the band's debut - Breaking The Chains.

Breaking the Chains - The title track is an excellent melodic rocker that sticks in your head long after you're done listening to it. It was the only major hit to come off of the album, but as you'll read soon, NOT the only GOOD song.

In the Middle - Another excellent melodic rocker, this is one of the band's many songs about heartbreak. Though never quite as popular as the title track, it's no less excellent.

Felony - A harder rocking power rocker than the previous two tracks. This one features Lynch's guitar playing in peak form. This is an EXCELLENT track, even if it was never a hit.

I Can't See You - This one's a power rocker with a sound similar to what many other bands of the genre were going for in this era. However, this is MUCH better than the songs the other bands managed to create. Can anyone say "masterpiece"?

Live to Rock (Rock to Live) - Whoa. The first time I heard this song, it was like God was entering my life. This is a fast and furious power rocker that will not fail to please if you like the genre, and arguably my favorite Dokken song ever.

Nightrider - One of the heaviest songs on the album, but also one of the most melodic (odd as that may sound.) This is another very "mainstream" sounding song, but any song of the type that Dokken shelled out puts those of other bands to shame (and this song demonstrates that beautifully.)

Seven Thunders - Another one of the melodic rockers the album has to offer. Of all the songs on this album, Don Dokken's vocals are the best here.

Young Girls - This track sounds like a premonition of the mainstream-based power rockers that would bring the band true success in later years. Once again, the band is in tip-top shape.

Stick to Your Guns - I know I've said this a lot in my review, but here's yet another track where Lynch's guitar playing really stands out (he's THAT good of a guitarist, people!) Oh, and Don Dokken's vocals are great too. It's songs like this that make you wonder why Lynch was never renowned as a guitar virtuoso the way Eddie Van Halen was.

Paris Is Burning (Live) - The closer is a live track (I'm not sure if a studio version of this track ever existed.) Many fans of the band call this the album's best track, and who can blame them? Lynch is so good a guitarist I don't think words can describe his ability. And with modern America's anti-France feelings, who WOULDN'T like a song about their capital city in flames?

Breaking The Chains is a GREAT album. I can't believe people consider this subpar in comparison to the band's other albums. Sure, it's not quite the masterpiece they are, but it's still a great album that is often overlooked. I admit, the sound is a little raw, but that's really not that big of a deal. I am beginning to think this album is out of print, because it took me a LONG time before I found a copy. This album is tough to find, so if you see it in a store, BUY IT.

Breaking The Chains(1983). Dokken's first studio album.

Here is a band that more often than not, is branded as just another glam metal act in the light of many other bands at the time. As a matter of fact, it was Dokken who brought forth the glam metal image in the mid-80's. It's too bad really because Dokken shows much more talent and dedication to good songwriting than most of the other bands at the time. But back in 1983 before they were noticed and genre-branded by MTV, Breaking The Chains was released.

Dokken is clearly at an early stage of development at this point, but BTC proved that these guys had energy and talent, especially with Don Dokken's melodic vocal style and George Lynch's dexteritous and amazing guitar solos. Here's the lowdown track-by-track:

1) Breaking The Chains- The anthemic title track became the album's only real hit, though it is probably one of the best tracks on here. Mid-paced and heavy hitting. 10/10

2) In The Middle- A slow, light rocker with the main emphasis on the vocals. Great, but not the best. 9/10

3) Felony- Another mid-paced, but lighter track. What brings this song from being just "filler" is its incredible guitar solo. 8/10

4) I Can't See You- Faster, but still very light. Like track 2, this song brings the most attention to the vocals. Pretty good. 8/10

5) Live To Rock (Rock To Live)- BTC's fastest rocker. Lots of wild guitar playing to be found here as well as a catchy chorus section. 9/10

6) Nightrider- OUTSTANDING. This track is one of the album's high points. Very fast and melodic at the same time. Nice guitar textures throughout. 10/10

7) Seven Thunders- Similar to the previous track, but played twice as slow. Not a bad song at all, though it doesn't do anything to really stand out. 8/10

8) Young Girls- A head banging guitar driven mid-paced song. The chorus is a little weak, but Lynch's guitar solo more than makes up for it. 9/10

9) Stick To Your Guns- Very much like the previous track. Again, even though the chorus is slightly off-par, the guitar work throughout makes this song worth a listen. 8/10

10) Paris Is Burning- THE BEST TRACK ON HERE! This album closer takes the listener all over the place starting with A MINUTE LONG, GOD-LIKE GUITAR SOLO by George Lynch, and then breaking into an all out melodic fast rocker. One of my all-time favorite Dokken tracks and it never disappoints. Don's vocals soar on this one, too. 10/10

Though it is obviously not as polished and well-written as the next two albums Tooth And Nail(1984) and Under Lock And Key(1985), BTC showed that Dokken was a fully energetic rock musical force to be reckoned with. So it gets 4 stars. Don't let the low rating discourage you though, because BTC is well worth the money and it is still much better than many of the more famous bands' debut albums. It's also my second favorite Dokken album (after ULAK that is). RECOMMENDED TO ALL WHO HAVE AN OPEN MIND FOR ROCK MUSIC.

This album is good, but not great. The first song "Breaking The Chains" is the best song on the album. Other classics include "In The Middle" and "Paris Is Burning". Then there are tunes that are more new wave than metallic like "I can't see you", which is the album's weak side. All in all I'd recommend it for the diehard Dokken fans such as myself, but is in no way as good as "Tooth And Nail", or "Under Lock And Key.

When I first heard the song "Breaking The Chains", I loved it. I thought this band is gonna kick ...!!! Well, the rest of this album is not as good as the opening single. However, while not as polished (or good) as their later albums, this introduced us to Don Dokken's vocals and maybe one of the most underrated guitar players of all time: George Lynch. I recommend this CD to anyone who loves Dokken, but for others I would wait till "Tooth & Nail".

this one isnt as polished,or as good as the next bunch of records, this album is Good, but not Dokken's best.....their tour for this album faltered also, not until "Tooth and Nail" did they achieve a higher status..
still a good record by all means!

They could never decide if they wanted to be hard rock, hair, pop, or metal. Maybe that's the formula that made them 'Dokken'. This was the era when George Lynch had the 'skunk' hairdo, but his guitar ability cannot be denied. Truly one of the most underated guitarists of his era along with Warren Demartini (RATT).

This album is kinda of low budget but this album still sounds ok for it's time. Don Dokken sounds great, he has more of a smooth voice on here then all the other albums. Best songs off this album are "In The Middle" (classic 80's song) and "title track".

BREAKING THE CHAINS WAS THE FIRST SONG/VIDEO I HEARD AND SEEN ON MTV.THEY WERE AMONG MANY OTHERS,ONE OF THE MONSTERS/ROCKERS OF THE 1980'S. I HOPE THEY PUT OUT ANOTHER ONE JUST LIKE HTIS.

I used to be a huge fan of Dokken back in the late '80s. The first album I bought was the very good Under Lock and Key album. I later got this album. Even though I never was a real big fan of Breaking the Chains, there's no doubt that it's still a good release. Favorite songs would have to be "Breaking the Chains," "Nightrider," "Seven Thunders," and "Paris is Burning." Don sings great and the backing vocals are also good. George also plays some cool guitar too. Good album.