Чёрный Кофе / Black Coffee - Переступи Порог / Step Over The Threshold (1987) - Solid heavy metal spirit of Russia's second league - 79% (25/07/11)

If you like traditional classic heavy metal bands from Russia such as "Aria", "Master" or "Kruiz", this consistent and yet diversified debut album from a rather unknown band outside of Russia is definitely worth your attention. "Chornyi Kofe" is clearly influenced by classic hard rock in the key of "Scorpions" and the early years of the British Wave of Heavy Metal with bands such as "Iron Maiden".

The band varies from rather slow and almost doom metal tracks such as "Vladimir's Russia" to psychedelic and atmospheric ballads such as "Leaves", classic hard rock ballads as "Star Pond", solid and catchy but musically not quite outstanding catchy hard rock anthems like "Black Coffee" but also fast paced tracks like "The dawn of life". The band simply took the best from their idols and influences and delivers a very entertaining and well done tribute to their heroes that may please to anyone that likes the mentioned genres and bands.

Especially singer Dmitry Varshavskiy varies quite a lot in here and puts this band above the regular copy and paste cover bands. The almost completely unknown musicians deliver a solid job but are not unique and inspired enough to get further attention. What really stands out is the rather good production of the album compared to many other releases from Russia of the same time. What is really missing in here is a proper and outstanding track from the band, something memorable or experimental we couldn't get from their idols in that way. That's where other bands of that kind like "Aria", "Master" and "Kruiz" easily surpass them and tried to create something more intellectual, innovating or courageous.

If you are able to accept that this band is not yet outstanding and unique enough on this first record to play in the first league of Russian heavy metal and happen to like heavy metal and hard rock from the eighties, this album may still be a great exotic gem for you and is easily a better choice than all those nostalgic old school bands or the latest albums of ancient legends and heroes that have surpassed their zenith in the last years and decade and still live in the past. This band here may not sound original, but they sound fresh, motivated and energetic and they have everything that counts to have a true heavy metal spirit. If you have the chance to get this rare heavy metal gem on ebay or elsewhere at a low price, don't hesitate and buy it.