Breaking the Chains

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Dokken chronology
Breaking the Chains

Studio album by Dokken
Released	Sep 1983
Recorded	???
Genre	Heavy metal
Back in the Streets (1979)	Breaking the Chains (1983)	Tooth and Nail (1984)

Breaking the Chains is a 1983 hard rock album by heavy metal band Dokken. Though they made a name for themselves during the mid-80's California pop metal explosion, the members of Dokken were actually products of the late 70's L.A. hard rock scene which spawned Van Halen. In fact, the band got its 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 breath-taking soloing on "Paris is Burning."

The album never broke the Top 100 on the Billboard 200, but has sold steadily over the years and is likely eligible for Gold status (selling over 500,000 copies) in the US, although the band has never been awarded a Gold record for this release.

[edit] Track listing

"Breaking the Chains"(Don Dokken/George Lynch) – 3:50
"In the Middle"(G.Lynch/D.Dokken) – 3:44
"Felony"(D. Dokken) – 3:07
"I Can't See You"(D. Dokken/J. Croucier) – 3:12
"Live to Rock(Rock to Live)"(G. Lynch/J. Croucier/D. Dokken) – 3:38
"Nightrider"(D. Dokken/Mick Brown/G. Lynch) – 3:13
"Seven Thunders"(G.Lynch/M. Brown/D. Dokken) – 3:56
"Young Girls"(G. Lynch/D. Dokken) – 3:14
"Stick to Your Guns"(D. Dokken) – 3:24
"Paris is Burning"(G. Lynch/D. Dokken) – 5:08

Additional album Information

This album is supposedly available as an import with different mixes of some of the songs. Also, in 1981, it was released as Breakin' the Chains on Carrere Records (France). This version contains some different mixes (and titles of songs). "Paris is Burning" is called "Paris" and is actually a studio version. The album also contained a song called "We're Illegal" which was later turned into "Live to Rock." Thanks to Chris from Pennsylvania for this information.