ROCK MOMENT – Van Halen ‘Unchained’
When Van Halen dropped Fair Warning in April 1981, the band was already riding a wave of fame, but this record marked a different turn. Darker, heavier, and more experimental than their first three albums, it pushed the boundaries of what the Pasadena quartet had been doing. Nestled in the tracklist was ‘Unchained,’ a song that has since become one of the most definitive showcases of Eddie Van Halen’s guitar wizardry and David Lee Roth’s over-the-top swagger.
At its core, ‘Unchained’ is built on a single, monstrous riff. Eddie employed the MXR flanger pedal in a way that had rarely been heard before, creating that swirling, jet-engine effect that swoops in on the opening notes. This wasn’t just an effect layered on top—it was written into the DNA of the song, making the flanger as vital as any instrument. Many guitarists have since tried to replicate it, but Eddie’s touch remains inimitable.
The track also contains one of rock’s quirkiest studio moments. In the middle of the breakdown, Roth’s trademark banter kicks in: “Come on, Dave, gimme a break!” Producer Ted Templeman fires back with the now-famous, “One break, comin’ up!” Leaving that exchange in wasn’t planned; it was pure spontaneity. Templeman later admitted he thought it gave the track a wink of humor in the middle of an otherwise punishing groove.
Live, ‘Unchained’ quickly became a centerpiece of Van Halen’s shows. Fans came to expect it as an opener or early-set highlight, and Eddie would often lean into the flanger even harder in concert, letting that metallic swoosh wash over arenas. On the Fair Warning tour, the song was paired with Roth’s high-flying stage antics and Michael Anthony’s thunderous backing vocals, adding to its reputation as one of the band’s most exhilarating performances.
Although Fair Warning was the least commercially successful of the Roth-era records, ‘Unchained’ grew into a cult favorite, praised for its heaviness and relentless groove. Over the years, it became one of the most requested songs on rock radio, standing alongside hits like ‘Panama’ and ‘Jump’ as a must-play for fans.
What makes “Unchained” unusual isn’t just the flanger, the playful studio banter, or even the live show energy—it’s the way the song embodies the tension and joy at the heart of Van Halen. It’s heavy but playful, technical yet spontaneous. More than four decades later, ‘Unchained’ still rumbles out of speakers like a runaway freight train, a perfect example of Van Halen’s ability to break the rules while making it all look effortless.
