After experiencing enormous success with their Mercury debut, Napk Ropboro, Gorky Park spent several years recording and regrouping before releasing the follow-up, Moscow Calling. At times extremely reminiscent of Pyromania-era Def Leppard (a hit sound from exactly a decade before this Gorky Park release), Moscow Calling was skillfully executed, but altogether ill-timed for its American release. The images of the band's MTV staple, "Bang," from years before had faded completely from the memory of most rock fans, and Moscow Calling was utterly ignored domestically. But pop-metal fans outside the States were still passionate about the kind of melodic bombast Gorky Park practices on this 1993 release, and worldwide support proved to still be quite strong for the group's brand of slick, anthemic hard rock. Despite its faceless sound, the huge rhythms of the title cut stand out along with the subtle Eastern guitar melodies that weave between the plodding drums and faux Joe Elliot vocals. Well-crafted but dated and derivative, this release shouldn't generate much interest outside the ranks of Gorky Park's mostly Russian fan base. ~ Vincent Jeffries