This is their third album released in ’85 and the band were flying by this point. They always managed to get the balance between the melody and the crunch just right. George Lynch is one of my favourite players and boy can he write a riff. I know his name is on the cover and it’s his band, but Don is definitely the weak link in the band. He has always struggled with his voice, but his vocal melodies are really good here I’ll give him that. A killer rhythm section in Pilson and Brown – this band should have been bigger.
I always thought that Unchain The Night was a single as the melody and hook are good – but it wasn’t. The singles were The Hunter, In My Dreams, and It’s Not Love. To be honest, there isn’t a bad song on this record. If I’m pushed I would say this is my favourite Dokken record. Not only are the songs strong, but George really plays killer all over the album. This was the record where he really made a name for himself. I never tire of hearing the whole album as it’s class, but It’s Not Love stands out for me – its just the icing on the cake, a superb track. They definitely don’t make albums like this anymore.
10/10 from The Grooveman.
