Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Rainbow - Rising CD (album) cover

RISING

Rainbow

 

Prog Related

4.21 | 616 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

friso
Prog Reviewer
3 stars Rainbow - Rising (1976)

This famous album by Rainbow, the band of Blackmore (ex Deep Purple) and Dio is a cornerstone in the development of the heavy metal genre as we know it today. On side one Rainbow sounds as a post-hard rock and proto stadium metal band, whilst on side two Rainbow plays early metal with an innovative edge to it. It is often mentioned this is a short studio-album with it's 33 minutes, but I must say I'm through with it when it's over. Can't make a problem of it.

The sound of Rainbow is quite exciting. Most of the compositions are up-tempo or bombastic and the sound of the band is very original (on it's time of release!). Ronnie James Dio sings very motived and theatric and because of this album I'm beginning to understand how the man gained such an reputation in the metal-scene. Ritchie Blackmore's guitar sound just great, though we mustn't expect to much Deep Purple-like material. Only the guitarsolo's reveal the origin of Blackmore.

Side one has many shorter metal tracks with extrovert vocals and simple formulas. Side two has two longer tracks that make this an worthwhile release for listeners of the progressive genre. 'Stargazer' is a symphonic and partly gothic metal track with a very impressive and magical long ending section. 'A Light in the Black' in the black is also quite impressive, but not as atmospheric as 'Stargazer'.

Conclusion. This is step towards the great heavy metal scene of the up-coming eighties and the performance of the band makes the album stand the test of time. Next to this album, I would recommend Rainbow on Stage for fans of hard rock and metal. Furthermore I would like to point out that much of this material has become 'conventional' by todays standard and that much of the high ratings of this album are given by people who listened to it in '76. Three stars.

friso | 3/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this RAINBOW review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.