Dokken - Tooth And Nail (1984)

This four piece, fronted by the squabbling vocal god Don Dokken and guitarist George Lynch, were one of those huge acts who made their living in the '80s by rattling out pretty powerful headbanging rock. I'm not sure how metal history will place these guys, maybe they didn't have the pompous identity of some acts, but their metal speaks for itself, mainly due to Lynch's ferocious guitar playing which lifts up the title cut and enables it to ascend into the metal heaven's as Dokken's smooth delivery empowers it. Dokken have such a rich sound, one moment rattling chains, the next hitting the radio airwaves with those ballsy pop-metal numbers such as 'Just Got Lucky', I'd pick this over Van Halen anyday. The Dokken story is one of heavy metal cliches, but that's what it's all about - at least the band can look back on this and say they've been there and done it, but ego aside, and believe me, there were big ego's here, musically it's solid, effortless and worthy of your attention. For easier pickings I suggest you purchase 'The Best Of...' but whatever you're looking for in metal, make sure Dokken is in there somewhere.

7/10