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DOKKEN
Return To The East Live 2016
Frontiers Music

Return To The East Live 2016 documents the classic and well-respected DOKKEN lineup (singer Don Dokken, guitarist George Lynch, bassist Jeff Pilson, and drummer Mick Brown) reunited at Japan’s Loud Park Festival on October 8, 2016. The Loud Park appearance, along with five other dates on their Japanese run, marked the first time this classic lineup had toured together in 21 years.

Featuring songs from 1981 to 1987, a span when DOKKEN’s first four (and most defining) albums were released, the album includes acoustic studio recordings of “Heaven Sent” and “Will the Sun Rise”. These two cuts evoke memories of 1994’s One Live Night, a previous performance when Dokken, Lynch, Pilson, and Brown had reconvened. “It’s Another Day”, a new DOKKEN song, marks the first time the band has recorded in the studio since 1997’s Shadowlife.

The live portion of the album consists of 11 songs, all of which are deemed DOKKEN greats. It is a disappointment that “Just Got Lucky” wasn’t included on the track listing. While the instrumentation of the performance is strong, singer Don Dokken’s vocal aptitude is lackluster. The well-established Pilson/Brown harmonies, however, are delivered powerfully, creating mojo on “Unchain the Night”, “Dream Warriors” and “In My Dreams”. George Lynch’s guitar playing is top-notch, which is evident throughout the tracks. Another ding is the absence of “Mr. Scary” on the album.

While there are fiery moments in DOKKEN’s 2016 performance at Loud Park, the album is nothing like a redux of 1988’s Beast From The East, a brilliant live record, which was evidently the intention.

Return To The East Live 2016 is being sold in various formats: a CD and DVD package, Blu-ray, a two-LP set, and a limited box set which includes the CD, DVD, and a t-shirt.

• "It’s Another Day" (New Studio Track)
• "Kiss of Death"
• "The Hunter"
• "Unchain the Night"
• "When Heaven Comes Down"
• "Breakin’ the Chains"
• "Into the Fire"
• "Dream Warriors"
• "Tooth and Nail"
• "Alone Again" (Intro)
• "Alone Again"
• "It’s Not Love"
• "In My Dreams"
• "Heaven Sent" (Acoustic Studio Bonus Track
• "Will the Sun Rise" (Acoustic Studio Bonus Track)