Pushking are a Russian band who formed back in 1994 and have released fifteen albums to date, although this is their first album with a full worldwide release. The band sent off CD's to various producers worldwide containing the pick of their songs to date. The one that landed with Fabrizio Grossi saw him not only produce this album but tap into his contacts book for some very impressive guest vocalists and guitarists including Glenn Hughes, Paul Stanley and Steve Vai.

The songs are strong melodic hard rockers with a few decent ballads thrown into the mix. Highlights depend on your personal tastes in vocalists and guitarists. For me ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons fires the album off nicely with 'Nightrider' and 'It'll Be OK', on the later he lets Extreme's Nuno Bettencourt handle the guitar solos.

Jeff Scott Soto is a good choice for the AOR tones of 'I Believe', an instant song as is 'Troubled Love' featuring Alice Cooper. That songs recalls Alice in his 'Poison' era. Glenn Hughes sings the lead vocal on three songs and 'Why Don't You?' is the pick of the bunch as he unleashes the soulful side of his voice.

Jorn Lande comes all over Coverdale on the blues rock era Whitesnake sounding 'Heroin' whilst Nazareth's Dan McCafferty gets to sing two ballads, both of which he does with aplomb. The closing track 'Kukarracha' is a bit of fun and features five vocalists with Steve Lukather on guitar.

Paul Stanley doesn't really have much to do on 'Cut The Wire' and being no fan of Udo Dirkschneider's vocals I skip that one!

For an album with little fanfare don't let this one pass you by as there is much to enjoy on here particularly if you're a fan of any of the vocalists or guitarists featured. Be interesting to see if this album ignites any interest in Pushking's back catalogue as they have done at least one album in English.

****

Review by Jason Ritchie