Dokken : Fugitive Review

“Fugitive”: Dokken’s Sound Bridges Eras in preparation for ‘Heaven Comes Down.’

As the winds of change sweep across the musical landscape, Dokken’s return with their 13th studio album, “Heaven Comes Down,” is heralded by the single “Fugitive.” This fresh melody is an unapologetic celebration of what makes Dokken quintessential, yet seen through a wiser, richer lens.

“Fugitive” opens with the tantalizing chime of a shimmering electric guitar. It tells a story through a building arpeggio pattern, akin to the opening lines of an epic poem, before BJ Zampa’s drums and Chris McCarvill’s bass join in. The energy grows until a guitar pick, with its scraping sound, slides down the strings, introducing Jon Levin’s warm, distorted guitar tones.

Don Dokken’s voice enters, and it’s like a wave of warm memories from the eighties flooding in on the winds of change. His singing is strong, robust, masculine, and rings with passion. Dokken’s voice is a bridge between eras, a reminder of the band’s history, and a signpost to its future.

Jon Levin’s rhythm parts are round and warmly distorted, his use of artificial harmonics adding character to his rhythm parts. With its tasteful eighties-inspired flourish, the guitar solo changes the pace to half-time as Levin’s six strings take center stage. As his musical ideas develop, the band kicks back into gear, making a strong statement.

Dokken’s classic eighties lineup set the stage with timeless hits. Now, with Don Dokken, Jon Levin, Chris McCarvill, and BJ Zampa, the dance continues with the fresh sound of evolution while holding onto the essence that made Dokken iconic, which certainly can be heard in “Fugitive.”

The production quality of “Fugitive” is spot on, and everything aligns for a strong outing for the upcoming Dokken album, Heaven Comes Down. Mixed by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Joe Bonamassa) and produced by Bill Palmer and Don Dokken. It’s more than a song; it’s a promise, an invitation, a look into the soul of a band that’s ready to rock anew.

Embrace the new Dokken era and let the music lead you as you headbang, rock, reminisce, and look forward to what comes next. And whatever you do, remember to blast ‘Fugitive’ as you drive down the highway. It’s not just the first song of the soundtrack to a journey just beginning; it’s a call to adventure.

Heaven Comes Down will be released on Silver Lining Music on October 27, 2023. Pre-order from August 8th, 2023, at http://lnk.to/DokkenHeavenComesDown.