Concert Review
Dokken
Lynch Mob
Saturday October 10, 2026
The Vine Showroom
del Lago Casino Resort
Waterloo, NY
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
It was an old fashioned one-two punch on hand at The Vine Showroom at Del Lago Casino Resort Saturday evening. Dokken with special guest Lynch Mob were together once again. Both had appeared at this venue in 2023. This time around the show seemed kind of special which I will elaborate on shortly.
Lynch Mob got things started and boy did they. As soon as vocalist Andrew Freeman said this magic words “The lights go down, you can hear it all around you, like the razor’s edge it cuts through the air ” it really set the tone of the night. Generally when Lynch Mob opens for Dokken you would not hear any Dokken songs but on this run of shows Don Dokken must have given his stamp of approval.
Lynch Mob’s current lineup included the maestro himself Mr. George Lynch on guitar, bassist Jaron Gulino, the aforementioned Andrew Freeman and drummer Jordan Cannata. Cannata has been drumming lately for Slaughter was filling in. As Lynch put it “You never know who will be on drums for the next shows with this band… always making it fresh and exciting. Cannata did not miss a beat.
Lynch Mob put on a solid set lasting 45 minutes. Lynch concluded the brief set with of course, “Mr. Scary” a Lynch standard from Dokken’s Back For the Attack album and the band’s best known song “Wicked Sensation”.
Dokken took to the stage with the standard “Without Warning” played over the PA before launching into “Kiss of Death”. Following with “The Hunter” one of the gems of the bands catalog was something the band used to play 2nd back in the day.
The latest Dokken album Heaven Comes Down came out in 2023 and features the same members in the current lineup. Joining Dokken on the stage were bassist Chris McCarvill, drummer BJ Zampa and guitarist Jon Levin. Would have like to have heard some new material but sadly the band did not play any cuts from the album.
A real special moment occurred during the three song segment when George Lynch came out like he generally does when these two share a bill. Expecting “When Heaven Comes Down”, Lynch did a little improvising and started playing and Dokken started to sing. As the song ended Dokken mentioned how it’s magic when George starts to play and he can sing along to it. Lynch saying to Dokken “you still got it”. Just a great moment to see the two old bandmates sharing a laugh together.
Just before the final song of the night Don thanked the crowd for coming out. He appreciated the fans and despite still recovering from a broken foot and a case of bronchitis he did the best he could. He wasn’t about to cancel the show stating if he had to play in a wheelchair he would. Despite everything that was going against him I will say he sounded better than the last time they played The Vine in 2023. The band helped with solid vocals where needed and of course the playing was top notch whether it was ace guitar man Levin or the stellar Lynch taking the reins.
Many are calling for Don Dokken to retire. Sure he cannot sing like he once did but ask most who were at the show and one thing that he does is entertain. The fans that go to these shows aren’t looking for perfection. They want to hear the songs and see the great musicians associated with the bill. For me thats what its all about. I was sure glad I was there. I mean after all would you rather sit home and stare at your walls on a Saturday night?
Dokken
Kiss of Death
The Hunter
Just Got Lucky
Into the Fire
Breaking the Chains
Dream Warriors
Too High To Fly
It’s Not Love
In My Dreams
Unchain The Night (w/ George Lynch)
Untitled (w/ George Lynch
Tooth and Nail (w/ George Lynch
