In yet another excellent biography from Frontiers the Dokken story reads like a Soap Opera. Yet here we are in 2008 (can’t believe how fast this decade’s flying) and Dokken’s still going with album number ten – albeit with a different line-up these days. Full marks for longevity then but is ‘Lightning Strikes Back’ a return to old form? 

But before all that just a simple plea to the folk at Frontiers: please can we scrap the voice over advertising new releases on Promo copies? If I hear ‘You are listening too…’ one more time I’ll scream. It almost ruined any objectivity at all when reviewing this CD as the bloke’s voice was interrupting the music up to two times every track! 

Thankfully ‘Lightning Strikes Again’ was up to the job of repelling all borders and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. The whole Eighties Metal thing is long gone but to my amazement found myself thinking it might be time for a proper revival. The chugging guitars and clever riffing aided by Dokken’s smooth if sometimes overwrought vocals  felt like the perfect antidote to all the noise on offer at the moment. 

The star turn is indeed Jon Levin’s guitar work which binds the whole album together with blistering solos and superb riffs that took me back to that whole Rock Disco scene when Dokken first had his moment in the sun. Lyrically it’s clichéd all the way and Dokken isn’t the most powerful singer but with hook laden songs such as ‘Give Me A Reason’ and ‘Oasis’ this is Melodic Metal how it should be done. ‘I Remember’ even sounds like a track off the Scorpions last album to give you an idea that there are some little gems on here. 

All in all this a recommended listen for all fans of Melodic Metal and guitarist’s should check out Levin’s work as he has done a great job. Just a pity there isn’t more of a spark of originality as ‘Lightning Strikes Again’ is a good album, but not a great one.

Let us know your views on Lightning Strikes Again

Track Listing

Standing On The Outside
Give Me A Reason
Heart To Stone
Disease
How I Miss Your Smile
Oasis
Point Of No Return
I Remember
Judgement Day
It Means
Release Me
This Fire

Line Up

Don Dokken – Vocals
Jon Levin – Guitar
Barry Sparks – Bass
Mick Brown - Drums