Dokken / Breakin’ the Chains Original Carrere Deluxe Edition – 2nd Press / 1CD+1DVD / Zodiac
Breakin’ the Chains(Original Carrere Mixes) & Complete Beat Club 1982
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The original version of “BREAKIN’ THE CHAINS”, which has not yet been officially released on CD. Such a phantom debut work and a blockbuster title that permanently preserves the superlative multi-camera pro shot of the early live is reprinted on the 2nd press CD + DVD.
Speaking of “BREAKIN’ THE CHAINS”, it goes without saying that DOKKEN’s first album. It is an official work that is still in circulation. However, the original release version was completely different from the current one. The current edition is a remix edition released in 1983 by the major American label ELEKTRA, but the original was released in 1981 by the French label CARRERE. Although all 10 songs are the same, the mix, sound, even the songs and members are slightly different. This work reprints such “original version BREAKIN ‘THE CHAINS” with the highest quality in history, and also includes the super-superb professional shot live that has appeared in recent years. It is a big decision board of early DOKKEN where Foan Cruche was also enrolled. Let’s take a look at each disc individually.
Recorded at the beginning is the West German edition “2934 139”, which is considered to be of the highest quality. A mint board owned by a core collector was obtained and digitized with high-end equipment. The sound is perfect. The lustrous sound with almost no needle cracks is hard to believe that it is an LP, and the freshness and stability are outstanding. As a matter of fact, if you just listen to the original version, it is possible on a certain video site, but the sound is incomparable. The quality of each sound is completely different.
The original version drawn with that quality is a world different from the current version. First of all, there are two unfamiliar songs just by looking at the songs. “Paris” is the same song as the familiar “Paris Is Burning”, but unlike the current version of the live, it is a complete studio recording. There is no guitar solo in the intro, and it is a tight version that starts with the drums. Even more noteworthy is the rare song “We’re Illegal” that has not been released on CD. This song is also basically the original song of “Live to Rock (Rock to Live)” recorded on the current board, and not only the lyrics are different, but it is a duet between Don Dokken and Foan Cruche. For the world debut with Jeff Pilson, he probably reworked Foan’s vocal song, but not only the chorus of “We’re illegal, takin’ control you!!” I have a completely different impression.
Also, Huang isn’t the only one with different members. In the current version, the bass is credited to Foan, but in this work, ACCEPT’s Peter Barthez and Foan’s older brother Tom Cruche also participate (although it is not confirmed, the three songs “Paris” and “Young Girls” It is also said that Bobby Blotzer is banging on “Stick To Your Guns”).
“This alone is quite different, but what’s even more striking is the mix.” The current edition has a dynamic sound with a major feel that only the major ELEKTRA can offer, but instead it has a harsh bathroom sound with the delay that was popular at the time. On the other hand, this work is a tight band sound. Of course, this work also includes effect processing, but it is a modest one, and the performance sound spun by the band can be felt in the front. It sounds like a studio live.
●French board “67865”
In the second half of the CD edition, another version of “Original BREAKIN’ THE CHAINS” is included. This is “67865”, which was pressed in France, the home country of the CARRERE label (by the way, the French edition jacket has a logo very similar to the current edition). The recording takes/mixes are the same, but the mastering is different and the sound is different.
Among core enthusiasts, the West German edition “2934 139” recorded in the first half is considered the best, but why is this also quite tasty? Although it is not as good as the West German version, it has an echo feeling and the chorus feels thick. Of course, this is also the highest peak version originally digitized from mint quality LP. Since the theme of this work is “original of the masterpiece”, the home country version of the label is also valuable as a material.
In fact, the quality of this work is the ultimate. After all, BEAT-CLUB’s own new excavation. For that reason, there should be no dubbing marks, and the master, which would have been sleeping in a warehouse for many years, has no reproduction deterioration at all. About 10 years ago, the high-quality version of the air check was talked about as “official grade!”, But even that is not a problem at all. The visual beauty is overwhelming even for eyes accustomed to modern digital standards. It is not the standard at that time, but the complete official quality of the modern standard.
What’s more, the content is intense, and the unreleased scene suddenly starts from the opening. The already-released group, which was an air check for broadcasting, started in the middle of “Paris Is Burning”, but this work is recorded from the intro. On the contrary, the venue before the performance is also included for 4 and a half minutes. Furthermore, there are no song titles or member telops that were covered in the broadcast, and the recording was left on for about 2 minutes after the performance. It is exactly the unedited freshness fully open.
Of course, what’s even more amazing is the performance scene. The “BREAKING THE CHAINS” repertoire has drastically decreased after their major debut, but these two songs in particular are extremely rare numbers that have never been recorded before. Moreover, with the addition of these two songs, all songs of “BREAKING THE CHAINS” were performed. Of course, not “Live to Rock (Rock to Live)”, but “We’re Illegal”, duet with Foan on stage. There is also a rare “Red Book”, Foan’s bass solo, and George Lynch’s guitar solo. It is one piece that is “BREAKING THE CHAINS + α that you can see with your eyes”.
In addition, Don Dokken playing the guitar with his hand is fresh. Moreover, the sound Don’s guitar has a big sound, and it is mixed with more balance than George. Although it is a bit strange from the current sense, there is no reason for the broadcasting station to know the dynamics in the band just after the debut, and thanks to that, Don’s skill can be enjoyed with an official-class super-superb soundboard.
Two types of original editions of the masterpiece “BREAKIN’ THE CHAINS”, and a completely upgraded version of the classic pro shot. It is exactly the initial DOKKEN super-decision board that has no more. The ultimate 2-disc set that was sold out and out of print in the blink of an eye with an unusual blockbuster. Don’t miss the chance to get it on the permanent 2nd press CD + DVD!
★A set of the original version of “BREAKIN’ THE CHAINS”, which has not been officially released on CD, and superlative multi-camera pro shots from early live performances. The CD is the original mix “BREAKIN’ THE CHAINS” released on the CARRERE label in 1981, and also includes “We’re Illegal”, a duet by Don and Foan Cruche, and a complete studio recording of “Paris”. Peter Barthez and Tom Cruchet also participate. In this work, the West German version and the French version with different mastering have been made into a CD with the highest quality ever. DVD is “BEAT-CLUB” recorded in “January 14, 1982 Bremen”. With “I Can’t See You” and “In The Middle” that were not broadcast, the quality is completely official. It is a super-decision board of the initial DOKKEN that has no more.
CD(70:27)
BREAKIN’ THE CHAINS (Original Carrere Mixes)
German Pressing [2934 139]
1. Breakin’ the Chains
2. Seven Thunders
3. I Can’t See You
4. In the Middle
5. We’re Illegal
6. Paris
7. Stick to Your Guns
8. Young Girls
9. Felony
10. Nightrider
French Pressing [67865]
11. Breakin’ the Chains
12. Seven Thunders
13. I Can’t See You
14. In the Middle
15. We’re Illegal
16. Paris
17. Stick to Your Guns
18. Young Girls
19. Felony
20. Nightrider
DVD(56:25)
COMPLETE BEAT CLUB 1982
Live at Studio 3, Radio Bremen, Germany 14th January 1982
1. Introduction
2. Paris
3. Young Girls
4. I Can’t See You
5. In the Middle
6. Nightrider
7. Breakin’ the Chains
8. Seven Thunders
9. My Little Red Book
10. Felony
11. Bass Solo
12. Stick to Your Guns
13. Guitar Solo
14. We’re Illegal
56min. Linear PCM Stereo 4:3
Don Dokken – lead vocals, guitar
George Lynch – guitar
“Wild” Mick Brown – drums
Juan Croucier – bass, background vocals, co-lead vocals on ‘We’re Illegal’
Zodiac 348