Customer Reviews

Wicked Underground

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With "Wicked Underground," ex-Dokken bandmates George Lynch and Jeff Pilson are back together again to deliver a new, yet familiar, breed of guitar rock on another generation of music fans. As part of the popular 80's rock band Dokken, Jeff and George worked together to propel the band to stardom thanks in part to George's highly influential guitar work and their great chemistry together as songwritters. After they both eventually left Dokken (Lynch in 1997 and Pilson in 2001), they have decided to join forces once again and pick up where they left off.

Although it's been four years, this album shows that Jeff and George still have a good creative chemistry between them. Instead of a throwback to the eighties, Jeff and George have decided to take a more modern approach to the record. But before some of you fellow Dokken fans are discouraged, let me reassure you that this is not a complete departure from what we have come to expect from Jeff and George. No, there is no rapping here like there was on the last Lynch Mob CD "Smoke This." Actually, it is similar in sound to Dokken's 1995 album "Dysfunctional," which was a generally well-received album by both fans and critics alike. There are the occasional vocal screams and computer programed effects (check out the track "Breath & A Scream" for an example), but believe me this does not take anything away from the album. For those of you that may have questioned George's musical direction after his rap-rock Lynch Mob album, you will be glad to know that George is in great form again. In addition to playing Bass, Jeff Pilson is also covering lead vocals on the album. And for those of you who don't already know, this guy can sing. Check out the clip for "Ever Higher" and I think that you will find it hard to disagree.

Most of the album keeps a steady rock pace without ever getting too heavy or too mellow. The album's opening track "Breath & A Scream" is the heaviest track on the album. "Ever Higher" and "Closer To None" are the albums more mellow songs, while the tracks "Vaccine" and "Zero The End" are slightly more upbeat than the rest. The album even features an instrumental track, "Cromanic," which is naturally a great idea for Jeff and George given that they were the masterminds behind "Mr. Scary" on Dokken's 1987 album "Back for the Attack." Here we are 16 years later, and George Lynch and Jeff Pilson haven't lost their touch.

As a long-time Dokken fan (and especially George Lynch fan), I was thrilled to hear that Lynch and Pilson were working on a cd. I've always liked Pilson, and anyone who knows anything about guitar would be insane if they said Lynch was anything less than amazing. Thankfully, the resulting cd is very cool.

In some ways, it's a bit of a throwback to the old Dokken days as far as the whole melodic hard rock vibe goes... but that's is a good thing. Also, George's playing is fantastic, if a bit tamer overall than I'd like (favorite solo is "Zero the End"). George has always had a lot of character and feel in his playing... you know it's him when you hear a snippet... and the performances here don't disappoint. Pilson is a solid vocalist, and he gets better with each listening. It's really good stuff.

Basically, take Don Dokken out of Dokken (I grew tired of him long ago), add some maturity to the musicianship, and you've got Wicked Underground. In other words, you've got a great cd.

Honestly, I didn't know what to expect when I bought this album. Of course, I wouldn't have been surprised if this combo sounded much like Dokken, but it didn't - at all. I truly cannot find much comparison between Dokken & Lynch/Pilson.

George Lynch (of Lynch Mob) & Jeff Pilson (one-time Dio bassist) have really created an interesting piece of work. It is obvious that "nu-metal" has had a bit of influence on this album, but it's really not a detriment in this case. Lynch's chops are still tight & clean on almost every track. Pilson's voice is in fine shape, showing some diversity & range. Also, the songwriting is quite good: interesting & intelligent lyrical subject with solid, organized arrangements. Overall, I would say the album is quite dark, with most of the songs in a minor key, some dissonance thrown in at the perfect time, and ominous-sounding titles like "When you Bleed", "The Evil that you Are", & "Goodbye Utopia". The CD packaging is an eyecatcher, too. I wish the song lyrics were printed, though.

My personal favorite cuts are opener "Breath & a Scream", the quasi-acoustic "Ever Higher", & the eerie "Awaken".

DO NOT buy this album expecting a Dokken minus Don; it is something totally different, and stands on its own as a solid contemporary metal album.

I bought this album the day it was released. I knew it was going to be good having sampled a few of the tracks on George's site. I'm pleased to say it lived up to my expectations. While my favorite Lynch album remains Wicked Sensation, LP is now second on that list. Lynch's tone and riffs are behemoth. The guy hasn't missed a step. He's toned down the shredding a bit and gone with a little more feel in the solos, but he still lets loose the chops enough to please this die-hard fan. Pilson sounds a bit like Don Dokken, but with more balls. I'd actually like to hear Jeff get a little tougher sounding, but perhaps that's just not his vocal approach. The songs are very strong. There's only two tracks I consistently skip over. The sound/tone a bit more modern. If you love George Lynch and are willing to be a little open-minded (like not expecting this to sound like Under Lock & Key)), then you'll dig this CD.

Excellent job, guys! You have rekindled all that was lost from my musical tastes. I have a very broad but specific like when it comes to music. My first love is classical music but have a fascination for heavy metal due to their similar styles. George definitely has a sacred grove when it comes to playing the guitar. His style is very innovative but also contains undertones of a style that only George can create. This is what makes him so unique. I applaud Jeff for his outstanding voice and musical virtuosity. This album is the epitome of how two extremely gifted people bring out creative, unique, and stand alone music when collaborating to create a joint project. Again, great album! I can't wait until you release the next one or go on tour.

Back in 1988, went to the Monsters Of Rock Tour in Oxford, Me. and got a treat. On a miserable thundering rainy day for a couple of songs Jeff Pilson took over vocals for Don who ran off the stage due to the weather. Yes Jeff, Mick and Mr. Scary played on and it was awesome. These guys didn't need Don at all and hoped when Dokken broke up they would carry on. Never dreamed it would take 15 years to happen that George Lynch and Jeff Pilson would finally record together. The wait was worth it. The Wicked Underground the best album I have heard in years and has found a happy home in my CD player. Every track rocks and Mr. Scary's playing is brilliant. Without a doubt Mr. Scary is still the best. Pick this one up and you will not regret it. The Wicked Underground settles one question. Just who the heart and soul of Dokken was. No it wasn't Don with his big ego, but both Jeff and George.

Have been patiently waiting for George Lynch and Jeff Pilson to start their own band. Since Dokken broke up the 1st time in 1988. It took 15 years of waiting patiently and the wait was well worth it. The best album I have listened too in years and the first time I have ever liked every track on a album. Get your hands on a copy of the Wicked Underground you won't regret it.
Now all the Dokken fans will know just how awesome George and Jeff really are and how bad Don Is. Too bad back in 1988, That Jeff, George and Mick just didn't fire Don continued on as Dokken. Than got Anthony Esposito on bass and have Jeff doing Vocals and Rhythm Guitar like he did in War and Peace. Lastly Mr. Scary would be unleased, not that he's not already awesome and Dokken would have been Huge. Bigger than what they ever did with Don singing and wouldn't have been held back by the man's HUGE ego.

Every time I turn this on, I feel as if I've heard a modernization of 80's hard rock at it's finest. I can't say anything else other than this is an incredibly great cd. Pilson's vocals are great and unlike what we've heard on Dokken discs, he's not trying to be Don. He's singin' real and it sounds great. George is his usual excellent self and I couldn't be more pleased with this disc.

A lot of people seem to like this CD, that is why I bougt it. A lot of positive reviews usually prove accurate. I will probably make a lot of people mad with my opinion but here it is. First, the CD is not horrible in the least. There are many positives. Production is good, musicianship is good, album shows progression, there are some good riffs and a few hooks sprinkled throughout. This CD is better than a lot of stuff out there, but that doesn't make it good. I couldn't believe how much this sounded like Dokken's "Shadow Life." In fact, it could be Shadow Life part 2. Most of the songs are slow and meandering, absolutely nothing remotely memorable. "Zero the end" has promise but it is smack dab at track 6, in the middle of very substandard songs. I don't know if Jeff Pilson is trying to, be he completely apes Don Dokken...the style and tone are so similar, I had to check to see if Don was actually singing. It doesn't mean Pilson's voice is bad, he sounds very good, but nothing distinguishes him from Don Dokken, making him sound like a substitute or lesser copy. I wish these guys would keep making music because the talent is evident and I have been a big fan for a long time. I wish Dokken would get back together but not if this is the musical direction they are heading. No ballads, nothing uptempo, no shreading except for one solo, no memorable chorus, nothing to sing along to, just a lot of blandness. So a lot of people like this, and you might too. I did not and can not recommend this. The closet thing this sounds like is "Shadow Life" and that album was not good, but if you enjoyed it, you won't be disappointed with this offering.

I was very excited for this album after hearing "Beast in the Box" so much on KNAC.com. While there are some great tunes on here, much of the songs are not all that great.

The production of this album is top notch. The musicianship, vocals, and mix are all awesome. The only problem I have is that many of the tunes just lack something - maybe the songs are too polished? I don't know. For someone who considers themselves a casual Dokken fan (I love Lynch Mob's Wicked Sensation, and Back for the Attack) this is still a good album, but not a must have.

My favorite tracks:
Beast in the Box, Zero the End, The evil that you are, Vaccine, and Goodbye Utopia. Those are all good rockers with strong melodies and good rhythms. The other songs are a mixed bag.