Unchain The Night

Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew is spinning the killer track "Unchain The Night" by Dokken from their 1985 album Under Lock And Key, and we’ve got some rad trivia to share! This song, the album’s opener, kicks off with a synth gong and clean acoustic arpeggios before George Lynch’s signature gritty guitar rips through, setting the stage for a fist-pumping anthem. According to a Classic Rock History review, it’s an earworm with a vibe that could’ve made it a bigger chart hit than the album’s singles. Fans on Reddit go wild for it, with one user, LeonardMoney2020, calling it their favorite Dokken tune, recalling how it blew them away when they first heard it on cassette in 1986. The song’s music video, featured on the Unchain The Night VHS, shows the band breaking chains—classic ‘80s cheese that fans ate up, as noted in a PiercingMetal.com review. That video collection hit No. 5 on Billboard’s Top Music Video chart in 1987 and went Platinum, proving its massive appeal.

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s live impact. Don Dokken shared in a 2023 interview that fans still sing along to hits like this one, thanks to airplay on stations like Hair Nation. The song’s lyrics, about breaking free from a toxic love, resonate with the Zoo Freak vibe of shaking off chains and living free. On Facebook, a tribute band called Unchain The Night keeps the song’s spirit alive, performing it across Southern California to 829 likes and counting. The track’s guitar work, especially Lynch’s solo, is a shredder’s dream, with Shredaholic.com praising its virtuoso flair. It’s no wonder Zoo Freaks keep cranking this one up!

Now, let’s rewind to how Dokken got rolling. Formed in Los Angeles in 1978, the band came together around frontman Don Dokken, whose soaring vocals defined their sound. As detailed on Wikipedia, Don started out singing in local bands before linking up with guitarist George Lynch, drummer Mick Brown, and bassist Juan Croucier (later replaced by Jeff Pilson in 1983). Their early days were gritty, playing dives in L.A.’s club scene, but Don’s charisma and Lynch’s blazing riffs caught attention. They dropped their debut, Breaking The Chains, in 1981 on France’s Carrere Records, but it was 1983’s U.S. re-release via Elektra that put them on the map, hitting No. 136 on the Billboard chart. By the time Under Lock And Key dropped, Dokken was opening for giants like Judas Priest and Aerosmith, cementing their place in ‘80s glam metal.

Want to keep up with Dokken? Check out their official site at dokken.net for tour dates and merch. Follow them on Facebook, where they’ve got over 200K fans, or on Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots. Their X account keeps it real with updates and throwbacks. For Zoo Freaks looking to connect, join the Dokken Fan Club on Facebook, a group with thousands of diehards sharing memories and news. There’s also Dokken’s Fandom Wiki for deep dives into their history. So, crank up "Unchain The Night," Zoo Freaks, and let’s keep the party unchained!