Written: 23rd March 2025
Veteran of over three hundred albums, Don Airey is an extremely familiar face to many rock fans having played with Rainbow and as the keyboardist for Deep Purple for more than twenty years. He has also appeared on albums by Gary Moore, Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Judas Priest and Saxon to name just a few. Pushed To The Edge is his seventh solo album.
Opening track Tell Me is a lively, fast paced hard rock track that is drenched in Airey’s trademark keyboard sound. Featuring Carl Sentence of Nazareth on vocals, there is definitely something of Ian Gillan about his delivery making the song feel extremely familiar. However, the sparkling verve and dual attack of the keyboard and guitar -courtesy of current Deep Purple axeman Simon McBride - keep the energy and the listener’s interest high as the track flies by. Beginning with a spaghetti western type motif, They Keep On Running drops the tempo but maintains the fire. Melodic but stomping with a determined groove, it has somewhat of a classical tinge, especially in the keyboards. It is a track that will have the listener nodding their head in agreement. Mid-song, Airey’s hands sweep majestically up and down the piano to be followed by a stirring guitar solo courtesy of McBride.
Across the album, Airey makes use of two vocalists and on third track Moon Rising, Mitchel Emms (The Voice UK) takes the spotlight. Sitting between the tempos of Tell Me and They Keep On Running, Moon Rising opens with the swell of McBride’s guitar and a vibrant introduction from drummer Jon Finnigan. Here and on fourth track Rock The Melody - which is imbued with a middle-eastern tinge - Don Airey’s keyboards twist and weave in a beguiling maelstrom of insistent rhythms. Each of the first four tracks offer something a little different while clearly being infused with a congruent vivacious elan. Airey and McBride – who trade solos - alternate on who is leading different tracks with each ably driven forward by Finnigan and bassist Dave Marks.
Far gentler than anything we have yet heard, Flame In The Water marks another change in tempo but also a complete change in mood. A power ballad that utilises several tropes of soft rock, it brings a different atmosphere to the album, avoiding crossing into overly sugary territory. Those who purely enjoy the heavier aspects of Pushed To The Edge will find the ending of Flame In The Water more to their liking. During the last ninety seconds, crunching guitars are introduced and we are treated to one of the best guitar solos on the album. Out Of Focus returns to heavier vibes. Among the most enjoyable moments on the album, the central solos are pure heavy rock with Airey playing the hell out of his Hammond organ and McBride countering with a plethora of punches. Power Of Change is a little more mysterious during its opening moments before building well via a rhythm that never lets the listener rest, leaving us expectant as to what is coming next.
Softer, more introspective and playful, the three minute instrumental Girl From Highland Park serves as an interesting interlude. Led by a combination of delicate but wonderfully played acoustic guitar and piano, it allows us to take a moment to reflect on what we have heard so far before heading to the excellent final trio of songs.
Godz of War stakes its claim as the best track on the album. Heavy, extravagant and completely unrelenting – save for a slightly slower central section - its eight minutes seems fleeting due to the sheer amount that is happening throughout the song. Airey completely cuts loose and throws everything he has to offer into the solos and overall tone. Uncompromising and gritty, penultimate track Edge Of Reality brings more variety to the album, travelling through moments of melodic rock, progressive rock and harder bluesy moments. Pushed To The Edge ends in style with Finnigan’s Awake, a scintillating, animated and ebullient instrumental that allows each member of the band the opportunity to take centre stage. Airey demonstrates his sense of humour with a spoken word outro that ends the album during which he thanks everyone for coming, this being the end of the proceedings at the social club for tonight. Introducing the band is a nice touch and these final moments will bring a smile to the face of the listener.
There might not be anything to too surprising from Airey on Pushed To The Edge as regards the overall style but when the songs are this good, a little of what you fancy does indeed do you good. Unsurprisingly, many of the tracks would sit easily on an album by Deep Purple or, at times, Rainbow and Whitesnake. What is clearly obvious is that the band are having tremendous fun, making Pushed To The Edge a consistently strong and extremely listenable album with enough diversity to sustain our interest throughout. Highly recommended for fans of the bands mentioned.
Pushed To The Edge is released on 28th March 2025
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