Rainbow - Rising

Every once in a while an album will come along that will raise the standard for its genre of music. 'Rainbow - Rising' was and still is such an album. When you consider that this album was released in 1976 it makes it even more phenomenal that it is still such a big influence and a release by which others are rated. 'Rainbow - Rising' defines epic metal in its 6 tracks and 33 minute running time. Everything about this release is near utter perfection - Ronnie James Dio's soaring vocals, Ritchie Blackmore's supremely confident guitar work, the bone crushing rhythm section of Cozy Powell [RIP] on drums and Jimmy Bain on bass, all this is iced perfectly by Tony Carey's keyboard work. Overall this is a monster of an album from the opening hurricane of 'Tarot Woman', to bounce of 'Starstruck' not to mention perhaps the best metal track ever in 'Stargazer'. Everything you need to know is here and is as good every time you listen to it. The production by Martin Birch is superb, Cozy's drums have an air to them that is rarely heard while Blackmore's Strat slices your head off majestically, whilst Dio's vocals are enough to make you forget near enough every other vocalist. Its magical album that thoroughly deserves all the praise its ever received.

1. TAROT WOMAN (5.58)
Mystical ' Mini Moog' keys open the track and pulls you into the spell right from the off. The swirling sounds build to a climax before Ritchie Blackmore enters with a simple but enticing riff before Cozy Powell assaults your eardrums with a drum fill that leads into the main verse. Here the instruments interact so well that it is impossible not to be hooked to this 'gothic smeared mystical groove' (thanks Alanna). Dio comes roaring in with 'I don't wanna go, something tells me no no no. The traces in the sand, the lines within my hand say go go go'. The conviction of Dio's voice of these vocals is eerie to say the least and that's part of his magic that makes him so good. The chorus is again enticing 'Beware of a place, a smile on a bright shining face, I'll never return how do you know? Tarot Woman'. This paves way for Blackmore's first solo on the album and it is up there with his very best, at first relatively restraint before building through a melody of the chorus then into overdrive with some stunning licks and phrases that are among the best he has committed to tape - STUNNING. The track goes through another verse and chorus before Tony Carey sees the track out with more 'Moog' excess over the pounding rhythm.

2. RUN WITH THE WOLF (3.48)
The pace drops slightly for this moody, blues medieval laced track. Again Dio is pure magic while Cozy's drums continue to pound your internal organs with every beat of the skins. "There's a hole in the sky, something evils passing by, what's to come when the siren call to go, to Run With The Wolf". The track has an upbeat quality that keeps the dark lyrics from making you too withdrawn into yourself , while Blackmore's throws in a slide solo which defines the word 'moody'. Chills down the spine ever time.... A bit of an odd track to describe but a very strong one again. The outro sees the pace pick up with Blackmore, Powell and Dio getting more worked up, before....

3. STARSTRUCK (4.06)
A bouncing riff opens the track before the groove settles down for the verse - "If I'm high on the hill she would still be looking down on me". The lyrics tell the story of a woman who follows you everywhere you go, not in body but in spirit - "I could fly to the moon but she would still find a way to be there", "The lady's Starstruck, she's nothing but bad luck, coming after me". The solo is quite simplistic and full of melodic charm i.e. perfectly suited. A good track that is perhaps the most upbeat on the album.

4. DO YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES (2.58)
The most straightforward track on the album, the chorus is quite commercial and again features a great vocal performance. The simple riff is reminiscent of Blackmore's work in Deep Purple. Overall its a good track but the weakest on the album.

5. STARGAZER (8.26)
I shouldn't have to really tell you folk about this track I hope?! Quite simple one of the best tracks ever, its all here from the spellbinding riff to the powerhouse vocals, this track is quite simply THE majestic epic. Not once does the track bore, all eight and a half minutes are so magical and captivating that you will not quite believe the power this track has. Everything is perfect - the drums, the bass, the parping keyboards not to mention the solo - which comes searing through your ears on every spin. Dio's vocals soar as expected but even here they manage to sound that bit more magical. Special praise must go to Cozy's drumming which in my view helps make this track what it is - listen to that double bass drum assault, the distinctive snare sound - its sooo good!! The lyrics tell the small story about a wizard, a man who takes people and makes slaves of them. He has them build a huge tower to the sky and the stars - hence the title 'Stargazer'. This track is everything you want in metal and that really sums it up the best stunning.

6. A LIGHT IN THE BLACK (8.12)
Cozy's drumming again opens the track for this pulsating track. This is one of the hardest hitting Rainbow tracks along with 'Kill The King' and 'Death Alley Driver', the riff is relentless and takes no prisoners and many a metal band have used this track as a basis for their own [WASP's 'Arena Of Pleasure' anyone?]. Tony Carey throws in an impressive Moog solo that works well over the intense rhythm before a scalding neo-classical section that sees Carey and Blackmore trading lines. Blackmore's lone solo is full of his distinctive runs and licks all with that great Stratocaster tone again. The production from Martin Birch helps keep the sound cemented together and the speakers grown at the pummeling they receive. A great track from a great album.

This album is one of those very rare things - near perfection from start to finish. None of the tracks disappoint, 'Do You Close Your Eyes' is the weak link personally but this doesn't char the overall impact of this album. 'Rainbow Rising' is a breath of fresh air every time you play it, from the stunning vocals, to the musical interplay, practically everything about this album is so right, even the cover perfectly represents what is inside. Many of Blackmore's best cuts are here - 'Tarot Woman', 'Stargazer' and 'A Light In The Black' all have that special something that connects your ears to your heart and permanently etches these tracks into your soul. This album is that good, and its down to the fact that no-one overpowers the other. Each member works together to create the sonic powerhouse heard throughout. Only one word can describe this album and that is - ESSENTIAL.

RATING
9.5
Review by Andy Craven
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