They say metal is eternal, and Dokken’s top three albums are the proof with their blazing riffs, sky-high vocals, and enough raw power to light up the goddamn Sunset Strip.

Let’s not waste time. Dokken didn’t just play metal in the ‘80s; they defined it. In this post I’m ripping through their top three albums and telling you exactly why these records still shred harder than a George Lynch solo.

3: Tooth and Nail (1984)

This is the album where Dokken went from a band with potential to a force of nature. From the first blistering notes of the title track to the heart-wrenching ballad “Alone Again,” Tooth and Nail is the musical equivalent of punching through a brick wall. It is powerful, unrelenting, and just melodic enough to keep you hooked. And let’s not forget “Into the Fire,” which feels like it was forged in a vat of molten riffs and pure adrenaline. Raw, unapologetic, and unforgettable, this album showed the world that Dokken was here to stay.

2: Under Lock and Key (1985)

If Tooth and Nail was Dokken’s declaration of war, Under Lock and Key was their victory parade. The production got slicker, the hooks got sharper, and Don Dokken’s vocals soared higher than ever. Tracks like “In My Dreams” and “The Hunter” practically ooze ‘80s metal perfection. George Lynch’s guitar work is an all-you-can-eat buffet of melodic solos and chunky riffs that stick with you long after the record stops spinning. It’s polished but never overproduced, making it an essential chapter in the Dokken saga and the second on this list.

1: Back for the Attack (1987)

This isn’t just Dokken’s best album; it’s one of the greatest melodic metal records of all time. Every track hits like a freight train of pure rock energy. It contains the track “Dream Warriors”an anthem that somehow managed to make Freddy Krueger even cooler. The album balances aggression and melody like a tightrope walker, proving Dokken was at the peak of their powers. George Lynch’s solos are nothing short of transcendent, and Don’s vocals feel like they’re being beamed in from another dimension. If you only listen to one Dokken album, make it this one.

What makes these albums legendary isn’t just the killer riffs or the anthemic choruses—it’s the energy, the passion, and the sheer audacity to blend raw power with melodic finesse. Dokken didn’t just create songs; they created moments, and these three albums are the best proof of that.

So crank up the volume, let the riffs wash over you, and remember: metal isn’t just music—it’s a way of life.

Check out my YouTube short video on this list: