𝗗𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗲𝗻 — 𝗘𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 (1999)

intothewellsabyss
Jun 15, 2023
2 min read

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

On this day (June 15) in 1999, Dokken released their seventh full-length studio album “Erase the Slate” via CMC International (US), SPV/Steamhammer (Europe).

It is the only Dokken studio album to feature guitarist Reb Beach and the last one with long time bassist Jeff Pilson.

Background:

Following the exit of founding guitarist George Lynch, the band recruited Europe guitarist John Norum to finish out their 1997 tour, but Norum was unable to continue with Dokken afterwards, as he had previously committed to a solo record. The band then hired Winger guitarist Reb Beach, and entered into the studio to record the aptly titled “Erase the Slate”.

Critical Reception:

For his review at AllMusic, Steve Huey wrote;

“George Lynch departed the Dokken reunion following 1997's “Shadowlife”, handing the reins over to (then) ex-Winger guitarist Reb Beach. Beach has more than enough chops to fill Lynch's shoes, and although he brings his own musical personality to the riffs and solos, the songs' melodies are still recognizably Dokken.

Unfortunately, those melodies are typical of post-reunion Dokken more often than not, with the band seemingly struggling to come up with the big chorus hook and just not quite getting there (a problem, come to think of it, that sometimes plagued the band in their heyday as well). Although Beach acquits himself well, the songwriting ultimately sinks the record; besides, at this stage of the game, it's difficult to believe Don Dokken when he sings "I must confess, I'm the maddest hatter of them all." Erase the Slate is workmanlike retro-'80s hard rock at its best, and thoroughly unmemorable at its worst.”

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to “Erase the Slate” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/erase-the-slate/1142282654

Click this link to follow Dokken on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DokkenOfficial

Click this link to follow Reb Beach on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebBeach

Click this link to follow the Jeff Pilson Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/wilsonmazamoreno/

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells