Dokken’s One Live Night Is Now Available For The First Time On 180g Vinyl Through Deko Entertainment- Featuring the Original Lineup in a Special Semi-Acoustic Performance and Limited to Only 250 Copies of Each VariationStocktom, NJ – Dokken, formed in Los Angeles in 1978, had several hit singles which charted on the Billboard Hot 100, such as “Alone Again”, “In My Dreams”, and “Burning Like a Flame”, and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. The classic Dokken line-up consisted of founder Don Dokken on vocals, George Lynch on lead guitar, Mick Brown on drums and Jeff Pilson on bass.One Live Night is the 1996 semi-acoustic live album of the then reunited Dokken who recorded the album before a live audience at The Strand, an intimate concert venue in Redondo Beach, California, on December 13, 1994, and prior to their 1995 tour. The album went virtually unheard at the time of its release, being overshadowed by the then fledgling grunge and alternative rock movement.
- Listen to “Alone Again” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwY1B6rqmBU Now it is available through Deko Entertainment for the first time on 180g vinyl as a double album with a beautiful gatefold. Completely remastered, repackaged, and limited to only 250 copies of each variation. This intimate performance includes versions of “Tooth and Nail”, “Into the Fire” and “Alone Again”, as well as covers of the Beatles’ “Nowhere Man” and Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s “From the Beginning”. This is a must have for any Dokken fan!
- Pre-order One Live Night while supplies last, shipping in June 2024: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/reissues/dokken
Tag Archives: Dokken
THE END MACHINE – new singer, new album ‘The Quantum Phase’
2024 launches with a bang thanks to the announcement of ‘The Quantum Phase‘, the highly anticipated new record from supergroup THE END MACHINE. The announcement signals a notable change in personnel as well. Singer Robert Mason has officially parted ways with the group, paving the way for Girish Pradhan, the rising superstar vocalist known for his work under the moniker Girish And The Chronicles and, more recently, with Joel Hoekstra’s 13. The addition of Girish Pradhan to the band is a testament to the keen discernment of Serafino Perugino, president, and founder of Frontiers Records. Perugino, who serves as the executive producer for THE END MACHINE, recognized the incredible talent and potential in Pradhan and brought him to the attention of the band.
To herald this fantastic change and new album, THE END MACHINE shares their first single off of ‘The Quantum Phase,’ entitled “Silent Winter.” The track is accompanied by a new music video.
Jeff Pilson comments on the new track:
“‘Silent Winter’ is a song about the bleak prospects for humanity if we keep on our current trajectory. ‘Quantum Phase’ – the album – deals with what we must do to change course.”
Established in 2018, THE END MACHINE released their eponymous debut album, ‘The End Machine,’ in 2019 bringing early acclaim for not only contemporary production and a modern attitude, but also their perfectly crafted songs, paying homage to their roots and the music that they love. This attitude and talent was equally on display with their 2021 sophomore album, ‘Phase 2‘.
In delivering 2024’s ‘The Quantum Phase,’ THE END MACHINE has not only surpassed expectations but has penned the record of their lives! With each note and lyric, they have exceeded their own artistic aspirations, collectively crafting the album they always wished they had written. This monumental work stands as a testament to THE END MACHINE’s evolution, showcasing not only their musical prowess but also their unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of their creative expression.
To Be Released on March 8th – Pre-Order HERE
Tracklisting:
1) Black Hole Extinction
2) Silent Winter
3) Killer of the Night
4) Hell or High Water
5) Stand Up
6) Burning Man
7) Shattered Glass Heart
8) Time
9) Hunted
10) Stranger in the Mirror
11) Into the Blazing Sun
Produced By: Jeff Pilson for Pilsound Music Inc
Studio: Pilsound Studios, Santa Clarita CA
Recorded By: Jeff Pilson and Girish Pradhan, additional engineering: Olivia Pilson
Mixed By: Alessandro Del Vecchio
Mastered By: Alessandro Del Vecchio
Band Members:
George Lynch
Girish Pradhan
Steve Brown
Jeff Pilson
THE END MACHINE Links:
Facebook
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Story Behind The Album Cover – DOKKEN’s Heaven Comes Down
DOKKEN’s latest album Heaven Comes Down features the eye-catching cover art created by the band’s bass player Chris McCarvill. Chris has also designed the cover for the band’s 2012 album Broken Bones, as well as his other band Maxx Explosion. In our exchange below Chris details the album’s artwork, as well as his other art and covers he’s designed (also see links below).
You are known more so as a musician, and member of Dokken, but can you tell me a bit about your art work, how you got in to that, and what you do as far as professionally and as hobby/interest in it?
I’ve been a professional graphic artist for 30 years, mainly in screenprinting. I now co-own a screenprinting company, Savin Rock Printing. I’ve always been interested in art; my dad and younger brother are great artists, and my mother was pretty good too. I’m not trained or schooled; I just like it.
You’re credited with the cover art on the new (and previous) Dokken album. Can you tell how the album cover idea / inspiration for Heaven Comes Down came about? was the cover your idea / design, and/or input and suggestions from other bandmembers?
I had visited Don’s house in Beverly Hills in 2016 when we were playing the Whiskey, and he had an Asian wooden griffin statue that caught my attention. He said that was the first piece of art he had bought when the band had started making money. It’s not restored, it looks very old and it’s quite large. Dokken cover art features a phoenix sometimes and this piece seemed to just fit, it’s the right style, its heavy metal looking, but also artistic and classy. I’d mentioned to Don that the griffin was my vote for an album cover more than once.
That said, it’s in a very static, boring, standing position which is not exciting for an album cover. I looked at a lot of pictures of mainly lions jumping and based the dynamics on that but used the head, features, and details of the griffin.
Is there a story behind the cover in terms of a meaning relating to Dokken or any of the songs?
It’s more of a symbol of Don and how he rises in the face of many difficulties.
What all did you do on the Heaven Comes Down cover (as you are not the only one credited)? And can you explain a bit of how it was done (technique used, drawing?, computer?, lay out, etc…)
This started as a good old pencil sketch. I did 2 sketches. Don thought the first one was too skinny, so version 2 was more muscular. I decided to make most of the griffon vector, or object based, meaning I could move elements around as I figured there would be many changes – and there were. Illustrating it this way allowed me to move and re-proportion things without having to completely redraw, and I could use the objects as masks in photoshop, like how an airbrush artist uses stencils. So, I sketched it, did a lot of color work, then Hiro (I think he works with Silver Lining – our record label) did better hands than mine, and a couple other details. He also did an entirely different griffon, in different colors, but we ended up going with mine. I had thought the art was approved, Don liked it, and we were sent a final version that had been photoshopped with different colors and different backgrounds. I thought it looked great, though I don’t know who did that final coloring/layering. So, this cover was a bit of a group effort.
You’ve done a few other album covers, any you wish to touch on (or elaborate on a bit) and were particularly happy with?
I’m never super happy with my own work. Out of the few I’ve done I probably like the Maxx Explosion records. I’m sure you’ll see the Hugh Syme influence. I’ve never pursued art the way I’ve pursued music. I think I’m ok at it, but I’m definitely not in the same category as my influences.
Were you a fan of album covers growing up? any favorite album cover artists and a perhaps top 5-10 list of favorite album covers?
Oh yeah. Growing up for me was pre-internet, so album covers felt like a window into the world of the band. I liked Hugh Syme’s covers a lot, I had the Whitesnake 1987 album. I constantly wondered what the brass logo icon was or if it did something, like was it some sort of portal, or lock, or gateway? Hugh’s concrete and marble textures always gave the music a sort of classy mystery. His concepts are usually breathtaking as well (look at Dream Theater’s Distance Over Time). I love Doug Johnson’s Judas Priest covers (Screaming for Vengeance / Defenders of the Faith / Turbo). They have a glossy, stylized, almost surreal look that’s instantly recognizable. Hipgnosis also did great stuff like Black Sabbath’s Technical Ecstasy cover, Storm Thorgurson’s Pink Floyd Division Bell, Muse’s Absolution. I also like Mark Norton’s work with the Rolling Stones very much. Roger Dean’s fantasy landscapes always captured my imagination too.
As for the new Dokken album, any favorite songs and ones you look forward to playing live?
We haven’t played much of the record live yet, so I’m not super sure, but I like Just Like a Rose, Fugitive, and Gypsy. I’m not sure that we’ll ever do it, but I love the song, Santa Fe. Having known Don for a little while now I know he writes very sincerely and that one is so him.
LINKS:
DOKKEN – An interview with Jon Levin on Heaven Comes Down
DOKKEN‘s new album Heaven Comes Down is now out. The band has released 3 singles from it, and has upcoming shows in the US in November (dates can be found at www.dokken.net). I recently exchanged questions and answers with guitarist & songwriter Jon Levin about Heaven Comes Down and a bit about his past. As well I’ve added on a brief exchange I had with co-producer/engineer Bill Palmer. Enjoy the read, check out the clips & the new album, as well as the links below!
Heaven Comes Down is the first Dokken album in 10 years. Can you kinda talk about some of the things that went on over the last several years that set the band back (health issues..)?
Yes, unfortunately we had some physical issues to overcome, but
everything seemed to work out! For me, no matter what happens I always
look at it as there are other people that have far worse, so I just keep on
plugging along and try and keep a smile on my face and move forward.
How did Heaven Comes Down come together, as far putting songs
together, recording time, and signing with Silver Lining?
In the past Don and I would always get together and write collaboratively. But due to the Covid pandemic, on this particular album, we were not able to do that so we both wrote independently in our own studios and would email each other ideas. After the Covid vaccine was available, Don flew out to me and I would play music that I had here and we would work. It was a completely different process than we had in the past as in the past we would always get together, because Don used to live near me. As far as Silver Lining, I knew Rod Kukla, who is a VP at the label since I owned a label of my own back in the late ’90’s. We ran into each other when Dokken played the Wacken Open Air Festival in 2018 and that’s how it came about.
https://www.hellfire-magazin.de/02-08-2018-dokken-live-wacken-2018/
How does a Dokken song come to the recording stage – do you guys
collaborate or write separately and bring ideas in? Are lyrics usually or
always Don’s or do you both contribute fully written songs?
Well, it was during Covid and we were all quarantined. I spent a lot of time in my home studio, writing and recording and Don did the same on his end. I think the vibe of the world created from the Covid pandemic created musical inspiration for me. We would work via the internet. At some point after the vaccines were available, Don came out to my house and we worked in my studio. We have a truly special writing chemistry together. He is my musical soulmate. As far as lyrics, Don writes them on his own. Sometimes I play him a track and he comes up with them on the spot!
Heaven Comes Down is a solid hard rock album, and although there’s no
blazing metal anthems (ala ’80s), the songs really suit Don’s vocals. Can
you tell me if what sort of ideas or directions you guys discussed taking on this album?
We both wanted a heavier record but you just write and it is what it is. You can’t really force anything. Somehow on this one, I think we just managed to get lightning in a bottle. Since I am a long time Dokken fan, I think that I naturally write in a style that fits into the direction that seems to work. I understand that the music needs to fit into what fans are used to hearing from us and if I come up with something that I don’t think fits, I usually won’t even play it for Don. That said, I had the tracks for “Over the Mountain” and “Saving Grace” – neither of which I were going to play for Don; I said, “hey, I have 2 tracks that I don’t think will work”, and Don said play them for me anyway, so I did. As soon as he heard ‘Over The Mountain’, he sang the first line of the song and said it reminds him of old Gary Moore, “I like it.” So he finished it right then! Same for “Saving Grace”. They were both supposed to be throwaways.
Can you give me any stories, antidotes, … on some of the tracks(?) I love
‘Gypsy’ (and Don’s story behind it), but also ‘Fugitive’, ‘I’ll Never Give
Up’, ‘Saving Grace’… Any tracks you’re particularly excited about?
For ‘Fugitive’, the intro riff came to me while on an airplane and it stuck in my head. When I got off the plane, I immediately sang it into my voice recorder. I demoed up the track and Don came out to my house and I played if for him. Here’s what amazes me about Don. There was a mic set up in front of him while he was listening to it and he started singing the lyrics and melodies to Fugitive on his first listening. Right off the top of his head he sang “I’m a Fugitive from life.” Fortunately, I was recording while he was singing. I knew I loved it right away and said , dude that’s freakin great!!!! Don is much more than a singer. He is a true instrumentalists and musician. It’s remarkable to watch him come up with lyrics and melodies on the fly like that. I’ve never seen anyone else do that. It’s truly something to see and it’s really exciting when we’re in a room together and that happens. We have a truly special writing chemistry together. About 4- 5 tracks came together that same way, one of which was “Gypsy”.
One track that really stands out is the last one – ‘Santa Fe’. Love the song and ending the album with such a unique song. Can you tell me a bit about putting that one together, and how it suits the record?
I had nothing to do with ‘Santa Fe’. Don did that one alone on his end and
our engineer Bill Palmer played guitar on it. Don sent it to me and asked if I wanted to redo the guitar parts. I thought it was great and told him there is no reason for me to replay this.
Having such a lengthy and cool catalogue of songs to choose from, is it a challenge to put together a Dokken live set, particularly when you have something new out?
It is a challenge, because if we add a new song in, that means we have to
take a classic song out. Either way someone is upset. We will be playing
songs from ‘Heaven Comes Down’ for sure though.
Over that time away from recording any new Dokken (prior to Heaven
Comes Down), were you involved in anything else (recording-wise…)?
I am constantly recording. I amassed about 2 other records worth of
material during COVID. It is just not the right material to present for
Dokken. I just write what I like. Sometimes I record ideas I like but for
example, they are more instrumental, or stylistically, just not the right
direction for Dokken.
Going back to your time before Dokken, can you tell me what sort of bands (any recordings) you were involved in, and can you talk about what lead you to go in law, And then get back in to playing in bands (w/ Dokken) in the early 2000s?
Before Dokken I played with Doro in the late ’80s. After that, I was in
another band that got signed to Atlantic records which also was ’80s rock type material. After that didn’t work out, I moved to Los Angeles and had yet another band. Then grunge rock hit the scene and as soon as that happened there was really no more guitar soloing. I didn’t know what to do so I went to law school. It was just by chance that one day in 1998 Jeff Pilson called me and asked if I would play some solos. When I got that message, I was at my father’s house for dinner and he convinced me to go down and play. I really didn’t want to because I hadn’t played much Guitar for years at that point. I had a record label and a law practice. I had no idea it was for Dokken or frankly, I never would have gone. When I went to the studio to my surprise the whole band was there. I was still in a suit and tie from having been at work that day! I remember Don opened up the studio door, handed me a Guitar and told me to play. I ended up playing a solo on the demo for what later became “Maddest Hatter”, and on a song called the “Irish Song”, which was released as a bonus track in Japan. A few weeks after that Jeff called me and asked if I could play a show at the Dallas Starplex with the band on July 4, 1998, which I ended up doing.
Can you give me a few of your favorite players and bands from growing up, as well as a ‘top 10’ favorite albums from your younger years?
Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Randy Rhoads, George
Lynch, Michael Schenker and Nuno Bettencourt. Favorite albums, in no
particular order:
- Van Halen
- Van Halen II
- Van Halen “Fair Warning”
- Van Halen, “Diver Down”
- Ozzy Osbourne, Blizzard of Ozz
- Ozzy Osbourne, Diary of a Madman
- Lynyrd Skynyrd, “One More For The Road”
- Dokken, “Tooth N Nail”
- Dokken, “Under Lock And Key”
- Dokken, “Back For The Attack”
What are you listening to these days?
I just go on Youtube and find live clips of bands I like Jimi Hendrix, Michael Schenker, Eric Gales, Joe Bonamassa, etc…
From BILL PALMER : Bill Palmer co-produced Heaven Comes Down, as well he played the acoustic guitars on the final cut “Santa Fe” (something I hadn’t realized when I sent questions to Jon). I wrote Bill and he was kind enough to give some insight to the song, and it’s direction. Bill works as a producer & engineer out of Austin, TX, as well as his studio in the border town of Terlingua. “There’s an old church that I make a lot of records in. People come out here to get the desert border vibes. It’s magical! Very remote.” Bill is on Instagram (see below), and I’ve tagged on a local article about him. I asked Bill how the track “Santa Fe” came about, and kept as just an acoustic song to close the album – “Don had the idea that he wanted to do an acoustic “western” type song that painted a picture of his life and his move to the desert, a sort of spiritual journey. It doesn’t really have a chorus until maybe the very end. It just unfolds, much like his life….Don told me what chords he wanted, and I played the part. When it was all said and done, they liked what I played, and we left it”.…I like it. If anything, I hope he might do more of this type of songs in the future. “We’ve discussed it. The way his voice sounds nowadays really suits that type of sound.” I think that would be an awesome direction for him, especially with story-type things like ‘Santa Fe’, and ‘Gypsy’ or ‘Fugitive’ – “When we were starting to make the record, Don and I discussed songwriting and how he had so much to say. Hence the story songs on this one.”
https://www.instagram.com/billpalmer73/ https://www.abqjournal.com/things-to-do/from-writing-to-producing-bill-palmer-is-a-creative-force/article_4ff4effe-11c9-5229-abb2-99bbfa7beab4.html
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/DokkenOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/dokken_official/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/officialjonlevin/
https://www.instagram.com/jonlevinofficial/
https://allthatshreds.com/jon-levin-rokken-with-dokkens-axe-master-the-interview/
https://blabbermouth.net/news/don-dokken-is-very-proud-of-upcoming-dokken-album-heaven-comes-down
DOKKEN release new single from ‘Heaven Comes Down’ album
- Legendary American rockers Dokken release the mesmerizing video for the new single ‘Over The Mountain’, taken from the band’s 13th studio album, Heaven Comes Down, out this week via Silver Lining Music.“‘Over The Mountain’ is a metaphoric song lyrically about people searching for better times and better days” explains Don Dokken. “It seems everybody is always looking for their Shangri-La.” “My studio in the Sangre de Cristo mountains has wrap-around windows staring at three mountains ranges and the city lights of Santa Fe below,” continues Don. “Your environment affects what you write. I’m not staring at a black soundproof wall, I’m looking out ten windows where I can see Sandia, Ortiz and Jemez mountains, looking at the sunset every day, purple, yellow and pink, and it affects you… very inspiring.” Watch the captivating video for ‘Over The Mountain’ . Video by Above The Void
RELEASE SINGLE / VIDEO ‘OVER THE MOUNTAIN’NEW ALBUM, HEAVEN COMES DOWN OUT THIS WEEK VIA SILVER LINING MUSIC
Pre-orders available here
Heaven Comes Down will be released this Friday October 27th 2023, on CD Digipak, 12” Vinyl Album in Black and color variants, digital formats and special D2C products and bundles. Pre-order now at this location
LINKS:
Official Site ► https://www.dokken.net/
Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/DokkenOfficial
YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/DokkenOfficial
X/Twitter ► https://www.twitter.com/Dokken
Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/dokken_official
DOKKEN – Heaven Comes Down (a review)
DOKKEN has a brand new album out next week. The band was one of the best that came out of the LA ‘metal’ scene in the ’80s with hits like “Breaking The Chains”, “In My Dreams”, “Just Got Lucky”, and “Alone Again”. They definitely built an impressive catalogue of albums throughout the ’80s, but over the years the ‘original’ band members would come and go, and for the past several years vocalist / songwriter and namesake Don Dokken has been keeping the Dokken name alive (rightfully so). The rest of the band consists of guitarist Jon Levin (for some 20 years now), and the longtime rhythm section of BJ Zampa and Chris McCarvill. Heaven Comes Down was produced by Don Dokken and Bill Palmer, and mixed by Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Aerosmith…). Don Dokken’s health issues over the past decade plus have been documented, and the guy’s taken criticism online on occasion over his voice in later years, but really the guy is 70, still out there, and listening to Heaven Comes Down – he can still write good songs and delivers them fine by me! In going back and checking out the band’s previous few albums, I would say this is much better. The songs and production suit Don’s voice well; he sounds good throughout this, not overdoing it, but still rockin’. Heaven Comes Down is not ‘metal’ (was Dokken ever really metal?), but it rocks, and offers a good range of songs, with a few surprises. “Fugitive” was the lead off single, and it’s the first track on the album, a great opener with Jon Levin’s guitar notes, and the band coming in, easily a favorite here. I also dig the 2nd single “Gypsy”, a cool story behind it, and well – gotta love the title (thinking of all the classic bands that have used the same title & idea — Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Black Sabbath). There is a good mix of rockers and a few ballads here, with favorites being “Saving Grace”, “Lost In You”, and the ballad “Never Give Up”. Plenty of cool intros and hooks throughout this, with Jon Levin being outstanding on this. Heaven Comes Down closes with the most interesting and perhaps best non-rock Dokken tune ever – “Santa Fe”, a memorable acoustic ballad, biographical lyrics , as Don sings about packing up and moving on. Is it a sign that this is Dokken’s last album (as Don has suggested in interviews)? Let’s hope not, as Heaven Comes Down is a great return after a decade. Check it out!
*Order on vinyl, CD, and digitally – https://lnk.to/DokkenHeavenComesDown
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/DokkenOfficial
https://www.youtube.com/@dokkenofficial
https://www.instagram.com/Dokken
DOKKEN – release new single ‘Gypsy’
With a new album – Heaven Comes Down due out October 27, DOKKEN have released a 2nd single & video for the track “Gypsy”. It’s a very good song, which gets better each listen. Dokken’s new single has an interesting story behind it from singer/songwriter Don Dokken. Read the story when you check out the video below . The video was created by Natalia Jonderko Śmiechowicz, who’s also done recent videos for Elegant Weapons, Alcatrazz and Uriah Heep.
Heaven Comes Down can be pre-ordered at this location: https://lnk.to/DokkenHeavenComesDown
DOKKEN to release new studio album in October
A new Dokken album coming, will be the band’s first in over 10 years. The first single is out, and it sounds good. Don Dokken has gone though a number of health issues, and there’s been many comments about his voice over the last several years, but he sounds fine on “Fugitive”. The guy’s not in his 20s or 30s, but still has that recognizable voice here. Longtime bandmate Jon Levin does an outstanding job on this one. A memorable chorus, big solo, looking forward to hearing the rest of the album. Dokken and Levin are joined by longtime drummer BJ Zampa, and bassist Chris McCarvill (both ex House of Lords). Heaven Comes Down will be available on blue vinyl, CD, and cassette HERE. *For more info check out the new video for “Fugitive” , and read the bio/press info in the details.
Track Listing:
Fugitive
Gypsy
Is It Me Or You?
Just Like A Rose
I’ll Never Give Up
Saving Grace
Over The Mountain
I Remember
Lost In You
Santa Fe
Don Dokken – Vocals / Jon Levin- Guitar/ Chris McCarvill- bass/ BJ Zampa- drums. +Bill Palmer: acoustic guitar on ‘Santa Fe’. Mark Boals: special guest (background vocals).
Dokken Upcoming Dates:
Saturday 19 August – Shoshone Bannock Casino Hotel – Chubbuck, ID
Wednesday 20 September – The Big E – West Springfield, MA
Saturday 14 October – RCU Theatre – Eau Claire, WI
Saturday 21 October – The Piazza – Aurora, IL
Saturday 11 November – Piere’s – Fort Wayne IN,
Friday 17 November – Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
Saturday 18 November -Whisky A Go Go – West Hollywood, CA
LINKS:
https://www.dokken.net/
https://www.facebook.com/DokkenOfficial
https://www.youtube.com/DokkenOfficial
https://www.twitter.com/Dokken
https://www.instagram.com/dokken_official
https://blabbermouth.net/news/don-dokken-is-very-proud-of-upcoming-dokken-album-heaven-comes-down
Outsider Rock 