RSS Feed


DOKKEN
Heaven Comes Down

Silver Lining Music (2023)
Rating: 7.5/10

Let’s cut to the chase. We all know Dokken, and as evident since the American hard rock band’s last studio album Broken Bones in 2012, Don Dokken’s voice is on its last legs, which is a shame because it’s always sad to see rock giants fade. Even so, Dokken’s 12th full-length, Heaven Comes Down, is a solid enough outing to please the die-hard fans.

As expected, Jon Levin’s riffs are crisp and melodic, and the band’s signature sound most certainly comes to the fore on the harder numbers such as ‘Fugitive’ and ‘Just Like A Rose’. In contrast, album closer ‘Santa Fe’ is a fragile, yet heart warming acoustic ballad that will bring a tear to the eye of many. In between, there is more dazzling axework, particularly on ‘Gypsy’ and ‘Over The Mountain’.

Don Dokken still manages to convince us of his charisma and soul fire, and there are times when the album veers back to that vintage 80s vibe. Versatility comes in the form of the middle Eastern flair of ‘Saving Grace’, while ‘Is It Me Or You?’ cannot help but nod towards a Lynch Mob groove.

Heaven Comes Down is a rather wholesome outing and one that isn’t afraid to reflect either (‘I’ll Never Give Up’ and ‘I Remember’). Whether it’s the last Dokken outing remains to be seen but an enjoyable chapter it most certainly is.

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Album & EP Reviews



Related Posts via Categories
Share