You might
say that T & N is the closest thing to a full blown Dokken reunion that the
fans are going to get. Guitarist George Lynch was in the studio laying down
tracks for his new Lynch Mob album, but lead singer Oni Logan didn’t think the
songs were true Lynch Mob songs and the album was shelved. Drummer Brian Tichy then
suggested to George that he should get Mick Brown and Jeff Pilson together to
form a new band. Pilson has already been writing new Lynch Mob material with
Lynch, so it all just fell into place.
They decided
to dust off some old Dokken classics and re-record them. The chemistry that the
three of those guys have immediately went into overdrive when those sessions
started. It was so strong that they wrote new material to be included in the
new project. Thus, the formation of T & N. The name did start out as Tooth
and Nail, but there was a legal dispute with Tooth and Nail records, so they
decided to shorten it. Now, here we are as T & N are about to unleash something
pretty special on the world.
The new
album, Slave to the Empire, consists of seven new songs and five re-recorded
Dokken classic with guest vocalists. Ok, I know everyone wants to know about
the revisiting of the old Dokken songs, but I want to talk about the new
material first. Lead vocal duties on the new songs are handled by Jeff Pilson
and he does a great job. The album opens with the title track and you
immediately know that the guys mean business. It’s an aggressive, rocker
challenging the listener to rise up and be a free thinker.
“Sweet
Unknown” has a nasty bass groove at the beginning that weaves its way
throughout the entire song; a great track from beginning to end. “When Eagles
Die” has a beautiful acoustic intro, but it doesn’t take long before the amps
get plugged in and Lynch starts cranking away. The acoustic element shows up
throughout the song and adds another layer to the song. “Mind Control” is
definitely a stand out track on the album. It’s catchy and its infectious
groove immediately hooks you in. Lynch also has some tasty guitar spot in it as
well as a killer solo.
Now, let’s
touch on the re-recorded stuff. Sometimes when a band re-records some of its
old classics, they really come up short and the newer versions seem to pale in
comparison. I think this time there is an exception to that. T & N stay
pretty true to the originals, but each vocalist adds their own flare with their
individual style. Lynch Mob alumni Robert Mason, currently fronting Warrant,
lends his vocals to “It’s Not Love”. Doug Pinnick of Kings X takes on “Tooth
and Nail” while Tim “Ripper” Owens of Judas Priest fame tackles “Kiss of
Death”. The track that immediately created a buzz on the net after being
announced was the classic power ballad “Alone Again” featuring the one and only
Sebastian Bach on lead vocals. All I will say is that you will not be
disappointed.
Overall,
this is a killer album. Seven new kick ass tunes and fiver killer re-recordings
that rock just as hard if not harder than the originals. If this wets your
appetite for more T & N, then don’t fret. It seems that a second album of
new material and re-recorded Dokken classic is in the works. I know that I am
not the only one who is looking forward to seeing and hearing this band out on
the road.
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