Dokken - Live from the Sun

Like many another band from the metal-drenched 1980s, the Southern California-based quartet Dokken has trudged on through to the hip-hop new millennium mostly intact. This concert, shot live in Anaheim in November 1999, won't bring new converts to its cause, but it is a don't-miss disc for whatever fans the band has left. Lead singer Don Dokken can still hit many (not all) of the notes, even though when he's seen in close-up, he looks far too old to keep singing songs with titles like "Breaking the Chains" and "Tooth and Nail" much longer. Guitarist Reb Beach, who replaced departed axman (and resident musical genius) George Lynch several years ago, is a more than competent replacement, even if he has none of Lynch's virtuosity and chops.

For fans, this DVD is definitely worthwhile: in addition to the concert (which has been remixed into pummeling 5.1 Dolby surround), there are two "unplugged" acoustic numbers, about 15 minutes' worth of interviews with the current band members, and several paintings and illustrations by the lead singer. These colorful sci-fi fantasies are pretty much worthless as art but sure to make Dokken fans ecstatic to see their hero entering Roger Dean territory. --Kevin Filipski