Breaking the Chains

by Ed RivadaviaThough they made a name for themselves during the mid-'80s California pop-metal explosion, the members of Dokken were actually products of the late-'70s L.A. hard rock scene which spawned Van Halen. In fact, the band got their start in Germany, where they toured and recorded their first album Breaking the Chains in 1983. Rather inconsistent, it alternates filler material with stronger cuts like the title track, "Nightrider," and "Live to Rock (Rock to Live)." Dokken's secret weapon was actually guitarist George Lynch, who provides the album's only exceptional moment with his breathtaking soloing on "Paris Is Burning."