Customer Reviews

Hell to Pay

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

4.5 Stars-Okay, I'll admit it, I'm one of those people who have said in the past that I don't think Don could sing as good as he once could. Boy am I wrong. Just when I think Dokken is done,they come out with another strong effort. The newest album, Hell to Pay, completes a triumverate of strong albums starting with Erase the Slate, followed by Long Way Home, which I liked. It was a varied and short, but good album.I'd rather have a short but strong album rather than a long boring one(Tool).I'm a Dokken fan beginning 20 years ago(Tooth and Nail) and Don still sounds really good. Sure, he doesn't hit the "Balls-in-a-vice" high notes as often as he used to, but Don still sounds better than 99% of the singers on modern rock radio. As far as who plays guitar, I really don't care as Dokken has always to me been a vehicle for Don's voice. Sure, Lynch had great licks in the '80s, but let's face it folks guitarists are easy to come by and Don has always surrounded himself with good musicians. I take back anything negative I've ever said about Don's voice and the new album is great..go get it and support this stuff people. Also, get the new Scorpions and the new Tesla (Both Great).

Very good CD. The more you listen to it the better it gets. Although I think Dokken is at there best when they are doing the heavier stuff. I have to also say I have been a HUGE Lynch fan and Jon Levin sounds so much like him that its scary. He has all the trademark Lynch licks nailed. Pick it up. The biggest problem I have with this CD is the goofy band shots and CD artwork.

I like this album better than their last few. And as has been said before, the guitarist sounds a bit too much like George Lynch on almost all the songs. Decide for yourself if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I love the classic Dokken sound, but I had to listen to it a couple of times for it to grow on me. Yeah, I do like it, and I'd recommend it to any fan of Dokken's music.

I have been a Dokken/Lynch fan for 20 years and this is a very under rated album. Jon Levin who kicked butt with Warlock/Doro back in the day is an exceptional guitarist. When I first listened to the album I immediately started criticizing and comparing Jon to George Lynch's guitar work. But then I took a step back to think objectively. I listened again and the album absolutely kicks from beginning to end. Then I thought to myself, what was I smokin' the first time around... this is awesome and how could I have missed and overlooked this masterpiece. I guess I was too busy critcizing and comparing the guitar work to Lynch. It has flow, diverse musical influences yet unmistakeably classic DOKKEN style, killer licks, riffs, vocals, lyrics,...refreshing and a total package. After listening a few times I rate all songs at least 9 out of 10 (Most are 10s). Yes, the Lynch guitar solos influence is there, but what do you expect...Lynch was one of Jon's guitar heroes back in the 80s. Personally, I think Jon has the potential to be an overall better guitarist, but may be a bit too modest to realize it. I saw Dokken play at JAXX - a small night club in Springfield, VA last year...talked to Jon after the show, got a guitar pick and autographed CD by all members. The only thing I didn't like about the album is the CD cover artwork (I had to find something wrong for the skeptics). Come on Don, you could have done better than that...it looks too cartoonish...but thats O.K. I can live with it. The contents more than make up for the cover. I too hope that Don keeps this lineup, especially Jon. Check out some of the old Warlock and Doro work too (Jon is only on one album though - Force Majeure). At a minimum check out Doro's recent live DVD concert which covers all the great Warlock/Doro stuff. I don't recognize the band members who currently play with her, but they rock! Her music rocks! Her voice is pure, strong, hypnotic, melodic, hard with edge and she just kicks butt! Period!!!! And she still looks as fine as she did 20 years ago!!!! German goddess!!!! Anyway...back to Dokken....and sorry for going off on a tangent. If you are a Dokken fan, especially old school Dokken from 80's this is the one to get. Refreshing yet without the appearance of rehashing old school 80's metal. Just right and just what is needed given today's music climate (or lack thereof). If you are a halfway decent guitarist (or aspire to be one) or have any appreciation for this music genre then you will not be disappointed. Thanks for reading.

*** 1/2 STARS
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This is a solid release from Dokken. I longed for the days when Dokken would get back to their roots, and "Hell To Pay" is a very nice return of sorts....

The guitars are very good. New axeman J. Levin does a very impressive job, and does make me think of the days when G. Lynch was shreading away. A very welcome addition to the Dokken line-up he is...

I wouldn't classify this as "Tooth And Nail" or "Under Lock And Key", but it'c certainly the best Dokken has released since then in my opinion. I use to be a huge Dokken fan in the 80's, and once Don went solo, I wasn't interested anymore. I did buy "Erase The Slate", but wasn't very impressed. "Hell To Pay" is much more enjoyable, and has that 80's feel to it....

A nice addition to your Dokken collection. I was surprised at how good this is, and I hope Don sticks with this current line-up in the furture. I still miss G. Lynch though....

The last couple albums from Dokken have been decent. They've
showcased good guitar work from Reb Beach on "Erase the Slate"
as well as Jon Norum on "Long Way Home". Both guitarist are
awesome in their own right. The only problem has been that
the music doesn't sound like Dokken? And it hasn't sounded like
Dokken since George Lynch departed. That's all changed on
"Hell to Pay"! George may still be gone but you can't help but hear
that Lynch type tone from Jon Levin on guitar. In no way shape
or form does Jon compare to George. It's just nice to hear
Dokken sounding like Dokken again! If you miss that Lynch tone
this is pretty good.

Don Dokken's lyrics are the s**t. He's has songs for every emotion, unlike some metal bands...death, 666, hate crew 24/7. I'm 21 years old and I got into Dokken when I saw Nightmare on Elm Street 3 and heard Dream Warriors. Dokken always stuck out to me more so than lots of bands, even though they themselves said that they were doing what everyone else was doing in the 80's, they most definalty sounded like no other band musically or vocally. Keep kickin ass Don!

This album is a breath of fresh air compared to the bands previous release. Jon Levin is the perfect fit for this band without George Lynch. Of the four guitarists (Beach, Norum, Derosso, Levin) the band has had since George's departure I would say Levin captures the Dokken sound more than the rest. (Not to say that these three others are not good in their own right). The best songs on the album in my opinion are "Last Goodbye", "Escape", "Don't bring me down", "Prozacnation" , "Haunted" , "I surrender" , "Still I'm sad" , "Care for you". The other three are ok but nothing special. This is the type of album that the more you listen to it the better it gets. Definitely worth purchasing.

After hearing Prozac Nation and Don't Bring me Down, I was very excited to get this new disc. While overall I am pleased, I still feel that there could have been more to this record-I wish Don would release one album of his mellow, mid-tempo stuff, get that out of his system, and then release an album full of hook-laden material like Prozac, Don't Bring Me Down, Sunless Days, 2 High to Fly, etc. I love Dokken and I will continue to support them by purchasing their records and seeing them live but I feel like they haven't yet lived up to their full potential. Call me shallow but their hook, riff-based rock is what their fans come to their shows to hear. I like Hell to Pay overall-Better off Before and Can you See are 2 songs that are really growing on me. I question the arrangement of the tunes-Don't Bring me Down should have opened the disc and they should have closed on a high note, keeping up the momentum. However, the production is fantastic! The record sounds great-the crunch is heavy and the cleans are crystal clear; Don did a great job producing this record and his engineer did a great job of mixing. I love Jon Levin's guitar tone! I will avoid comparisons to George, Reb, or Norum because it's all opinion anyway but I think Don has struck gold with Levin. I also love the title of the new album-I think that their simplicity and catchy-ness are what draw people in. Overall, Hell2Pay is a strong effort-Escape is an excellent track for release but unfortunately crappy rock stations like Denver's 106.7KBPI won't even touch it simply because it wasn't written by Alice in Chains, Metallica, Nickelback,Korn. Those stations should get a clue and branch out-they're missing out on some strong material simply because it doesn't meet their pre-determined rock format. I love Alice and Metallica but please, how many times do I have to continually hear the same handful of songs by these handful of bands while gems like Dokken, Queensryche, and Tesla go ignored? If tunes like Prozac Nation were given a chance on radio, I really think they could turn some heads. Overall, this is a 4 star album. I look forward to continued progression from the band in the direction Hell to Pay has taken.

First off let me start by saying this isn't your dad's Dokken,
but what it is is a slice of Hard Rock that will satisfy most Dokken fans, no it's not their best effort but it is darn good.
Much improved over 2002's Long Way Home. There are some really classic "Rockin' With Dokken" tunes on here, The Last Goodbye & Don't Bring Me Down are soon to be classic tunes. While Escape (the first single) shows a mature Dokken stretching out. My personal favorite on the disc is Prozac Nation, you won't find a more hook laden song on the disc, this I hope gets released as a single. On board this time around is Jon Levin on guitar
who caters to the Lynch crowd with riffs & squeals all over the album and brings back fond memories of the 80's at it's best.
Bassist Barry Sparks returns for album #2, and holds the bottom end down & shows why he is thought of as a master on the bass.
Of course Don & Mick are still supplying the foundation for Dokken as the orginal members. Don's performance is awesome on the disc, his vocals sound stronger then ever & with Barry & Mick doin some backgrounds with him, you actually get some really tight & sweet harmonies. This album is what should have followed 95's reunion special Dysfunctional or at least would have been a better follow up to Erase The Slate.
Overall an album not to be missed.