DOKKEN - Under Lock and KeY 12" Vinyl LP Album

"Under Lock and Key" is the 3rd album by heavy metal band Dokken, released on November 9, 1985.

DOKKEN - Under Lock And Key Elektra Records 12" Vinyl Lp Album front cover https://vinyl-records.nl

DOKKEN - UNDER LOCK AND KEY 12" Vinyl LP

Album Full Description:  "Dokken - Under Lock and Key" is a heavy metal album released in 1985 by the American band Dokken. It was the band's third studio album and one of their most successful, peaking at number 32 on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album features the classic Dokken lineup of Don Dokken on vocals, George Lynch on guitar, Jeff Pilson on bass, and Mick Brown on drums. The album's sound is characterized by Lynch's guitar work, which blends heavy riffs and melodic solos with Dokken's soaring vocals and catchy hooks. The album's lead single, "In My Dreams," became one of Dokken's biggest hits, reaching number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Other standout tracks include the anthemic "It's Not Love," the upbeat "The Hunter," and the powerful ballad "Will the Sun Rise." Lyrically, the album deals with themes of love, heartbreak, and personal struggles, with Don Dokken's emotive vocals conveying a sense of passion and intensity throughout. The album's production is also noteworthy, with a polished sound that showcases the band's musicianship and songwriting abilities. Overall, "Dokken - Under Lock and Key" is a classic heavy metal album that remains a fan favorite to this day. It captures the band at the peak of their powers, delivering powerful and memorable songs that showcase their unique sound and style.

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal Music
Collector's info: This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by Dokken and band-photo of Dokken. 
Album Production: Produced by Neil Kernon and Michael Wagener, Double Trouble Productions Inc.
Recorded at Amigo Studios, North Hollywood, CA.
Photography: Mark "Weiss Guy" Weiss
Record Label: Elektra 960 458-1 / EKT 28
Record Format:12" Vinyl LP Gramophone
Year & Country  1985 Made in Germany

Collector notes:

Michael Wagener is a legendary music producer and sound engineer, known for crafting the signature sounds of hard rock and heavy metal. He co-founded Accept before shifting to production, working with top bands like Metallica, Skid Row, and Dokken. His powerful, polished mixes defined an era of rock. Read his biography

 

Band Members and Musicians on: Dokken Under Lock and Key
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Don Dokken - Vocals
  • George Lynch - Guitars
  • Jeff Pilson - Bass
  • Mick Brown - Drums

Band Member / Musician Bio:

Don Dokken — Lead Vocals

Don Dokken was the velvet hammer of 1980s heavy metal—an L.A. singer who could croon like a lover and roar like a street fighter. He formed Dokken in the late ’70s and rode the neon wave of the decade straight into MTV’s heavy rotation. While others posed with Aqua Net, Don crafted melodies that cut through George Lynch’s molten riffs, making power ballads sound dangerous and arena anthems feel personal. He was the heart in a genre that often worshipped only muscle.

  • Primary Role – Lead Vocals
  • Country – USA
  • Years Active – 1978–present
  • Bands – Dokken, Don Dokken
  • Associated Acts – War & Peace, Hear ’n Aid
Selected Discography
  • Dokken – “Tooth and Nail” (1984)
  • Dokken – “Under Lock and Key” (1985)
  • Dokken – “Back for the Attack” (1987)
  • Don Dokken – “Up from the Ashes” (1990)

Band Member / Musician Bio:

George Lynch — Guitars

George Lynch wasn’t just Dokken’s guitarist—he was a fire-breathing dragon in six-string form. His riffs snarled, his solos screamed, and every note seemed to straddle the line between chaos and control. In the 1980s, while other players were drowning in hairspray, Lynch carved his legend with tone, technique, and a streak of rebellion. He was the mad scientist of metal guitar, and Dokken’s music burned brighter because of his combustible presence.

  • Primary Role – Lead Guitar
  • Country – USA
  • Years Active – 1970s–present
  • Bands – Dokken, Lynch Mob, Xciter
  • Associated Acts – Hear ’n Aid, KXM, Sweet & Lynch
Selected Discography
  • Dokken – “Tooth and Nail” (1984)
  • Dokken – “Under Lock and Key” (1985)
  • Dokken – “Back for the Attack” (1987)
  • Lynch Mob – “Wicked Sensation” (1990)

Band Member / Musician Bio:

Jeff Pilson — Bass Guitar / Vocals

Jeff Pilson was the secret weapon in Dokken’s arsenal: a bassist who played with muscle but sang with finesse. He didn’t just hold down the low end; he added soaring harmonies that made the choruses stick in your skull. During the 1980s, Pilson drifted through bands like a restless soul, always chasing the next hook or harmony. He was the glue in Dokken’s classic lineup, a musician who understood that metal could be both ferocious and melodic.

  • Primary Role – Bass Guitar / Vocals
  • Country – USA
  • Years Active – 1980s–present
  • Bands – Dokken, War & Peace, Rock Justice
  • Associated Acts – McAuley Schenker Group, Dio, Foreigner
Selected Discography
  • Dokken – “Tooth and Nail” (1984)
  • Dokken – “Under Lock and Key” (1985)
  • Dokken – “Back for the Attack” (1987)
  • War & Peace – “Time Capsule” (1989, demos later released)

Band Member / Musician Bio:

Mick Brown — Drums

Mick Brown, nicknamed “Wild” for good reason, was Dokken’s rhythmic engine. In an era when drummers often played it safe, Brown hit with both swing and brutality, his backbeat the thunder under Lynch’s lightning. He was more than just timekeeper—he was the band’s secret weapon, equal parts groove and wrecking ball. On stage, he looked like he might knock over the kit, but in the studio he nailed the precision that made Dokken’s records roar through stadiums and stereos alike.

  • Primary Role – Drums
  • Country – USA
  • Years Active – 1970s–2019
  • Bands – Dokken, Lynch Mob, Ted Nugent Band
  • Associated Acts – Xciter, Hear ’n Aid
Selected Discography
  • Dokken – “Tooth and Nail” (1984)
  • Dokken – “Under Lock and Key” (1985)
  • Dokken – “Back for the Attack” (1987)
  • Lynch Mob – “Wicked Sensation” (1990)
Complete Track Listing of: Dokken Under Lock and Key
    Songs:
  • Unchain The Night
  • The Hunter
  • In My Dreams
  • Slipping Away
  • Lightning Strikes Again
  • It's Not Love
  • Jaded Heart
  • Don't Lie To Me
  • Will The Sun Rise
  • Till The Living End

 

DOKKEN Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

DOKKEN Band Description:

 DOKKEN an American heavy metal band that was formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California. The band's lineup consists of vocalist Don Dokken, guitarist George Lynch, bassist Jeff Pilson, and drummer "Wild" Mick Brown. The band achieved commercial success in the 1980s with their unique brand of hard rock and heavy metal, and their music continues to be popular with fans of the genre to this day.

 DOKKEN's early years were marked by a series of lineup changes, with Don Dokken and drummer Gary Holland being the only consistent members. In 1983, the band released their second album, "Tooth and Nail", which was produced by Tom Werman and featured the hit single "Alone Again". The album was a commercial success, and helped establish DOKKEN as one of the leading bands of the 1980s heavy metal scene.

 The band's follow-up album, "Under Lock and Key", was released in 1985 and featured the hit singles "In My Dreams" and "It's Not Love". The album continued the band's commercial success, and DOKKEN embarked on a world tour to support it. The tour included a stop in Japan, where the band's popularity was particularly strong, and the live album "Beast from the East" was recorded.

 In 1987, DOKKEN released their fourth studio album, "Back for the Attack". The album featured the hit single "Dream Warriors", which was featured on the soundtrack for the horror movie "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors". The album also included the popular songs "Burning Like a Flame" and "Heaven Sent". "Back for the Attack" was the band's most successful album, reaching number 13 on the Billboard 200 chart and going platinum in the United States.

 Despite their success, tensions between Don Dokken and George Lynch began to surface, and the band's lineup became increasingly unstable. In 1989, the band went on hiatus, and Don Dokken and George Lynch pursued solo careers. DOKKEN reformed in 1993 with a new lineup, but failed to recapture their previous success. The band has continued to tour and release albums in the years since, but their commercial success has never matched that of their 1980s heyday.

 Despite the challenges they faced, DOKKEN's influence on the heavy metal genre cannot be overstated. Their unique blend of hard rock and heavy metal, combined with Don Dokken's powerful vocals and George Lynch's virtuosic guitar playing, set them apart from their contemporaries. Their music continues to be loved by fans of the genre, and their legacy as one of the leading bands of the 1980s heavy metal scene is secure.

DOKKEN - Back for the Attack 12" LP
Thumbnail of DOKKEN - Back for the Attack 12" LP album front cover

Elektra EKT 43 / 960 735-1 , 1987 , -

"DOKKEN - Back for the Attack" is a landmark album in the history of heavy metal. It showcases Dokken's unique sound and style, and features some of their most memorable and iconic songs. The album's success helped to cement Dokken's status as one of the most important and influential bands of the 1980s, and it remains a beloved and essential part of any heavy metal fan's collection.

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DOKKEN - Beast from the East 12" LP
Thumbnail of DOKKEN - Beast from the East 12" LP album front cover

Elektra 960 823 / EKT 55 , 1988 , Germany

"Beast From The East" the 1988 live album by Dokken, recorded during their "Back for the Attack" tour in Japan. The album features hits like "Breaking the Chains" and "In My Dreams," as well as two new studio tracks. The album showcases the band's raw energy and live showmanship, with George Lynch's guitar solos and Don Dokken's vocals standing out. The production is clean and balanced, capturing the excitement of the live shows.

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DOKKEN - In My Dreams / Til The Livin' End 12" EP
Thumbnail of DOKKEN - In My Dreams / Til The Livin' End  12" EP album front cover

Elektra EKR 37(T) / 966854 , 1985 , GB

This EP includes the hit single "In My Dreams" and other tracks from the album "Under Lock and Key," as well as "Alone Again" from their previous album. The EP showcases the band's signature sound, with Don Dokken's emotive vocals and George Lynch's impressive guitar work. The vinyl format provides an authentic listening experience and a nostalgic look back at Dokken's 1980s heyday.

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DOKKEN - Under Lock and Key 12" LP
Thumbnail of DOKKEN - Under Lock and Key 12" LP album front cover

Elektra 960 458-1 / EKT 28 , 1985 , Germany

"Under Lock and Key" is the 3rd studio album by American heavy metal band Dokken, released in 1985. The album features hits like "The Hunter," "In My Dreams," and "It's Not Love," showcasing the band's signature sound of heavy riffs, soaring vocals, and catchy hooks. The album's production is clean and polished, elevating the band's musicianship and songwriting abilities.

Learn more