RISING

Rainbow Rising is the second album by the group Rainbow founded by ex-Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and ex-Elf lead singer Ronnie James Dio. Unlike their first release, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, one can hear the band's pre-power metal sound beginning to take form. Rainbow Rising includes and all-star cast of very talented musicians. Cozy Powell takes the stool to deliver some heavy drumming, Jimmy Bain takes over the bass for a really nice warm and heavy tone and rounding it out is Tony Carey on keyboards to give the songs depth. Of course we can't forget the amazing Ritchie Blackmore giving us some crunching riffs and Mr. Ronnie James Dio giving us a great vocal show. The first song we encounter on this epic journey is the heavy guitar/drums drivern song "Tarot Woman". The introduction to the song has a really nice keyboard solo by Tony Carey to set the mood for the song. Once the solo ends, Blackmore begins to play the guitar riff to the song while being accompanied by Bain on the bass. Once the song kicks in, you are hit by a bone crushingly heavy song. Dio takes the mic telling the tale of a tarot woman predicting the future, a fine subject for a great opener.

The second song is the more down tempoed "Run With The Wolf". Again, Blackmore and Bain deliver some nice heavy riffing while Powell gives us a nice pounding drum rhythm. Carey's keyboards seem to be very distant and almost unnoticable throught the sing and audible during the chorus. The solo is very laid back, almost like the solo from Deep Purple's album "Burn" on the song "Sail Away". Dio's voice is amazing as always during the whole of the song adding some nice depth to the song itself.

The third song is called "Starstruck". The song starts off with some nice arpeggio work from Blackmore on guitar and Carey on keyboards. The main riff of the song is very hard rock orientated other than heavy. Carey's organ work is a little more present on this track, but it is still overpowered by Blackmore's riffing. Bain and Powell prove to be a worthy rhythm section in the song. Dio's lyrics in this song tells the story of a woman who becomes obssesed with him and stalks him everywhere he goes. A great rocking tune.

The next song is "Do You Close You Eyes". In this tune, we hear Rainbow take a chance at writing a more mainstream song. The song itself is very basic and radio friendly. The song has an interesting riff, but not much can be said about it. Obviously the weaker song of the album.

The next song has to be the highlight of the album. The song is called "Stargazer". The intro to the song contains and awsome mini drum solo by Powell while Blackmore pick scratches all the down the guitar neck. The main riff/rhythm to the song is incredibly heavy and a real joy to listen to. Carey's keyboards are a real treat in this song as the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra provides the song a lot of depth for that epic feel. Dio's vocal work has to be at it's best here. He tells the story of a wizard who commands his slaves to build a "tower of stone" so the he can gaze at the stars. Blackmore's solo starts off very laid back until the second part where he beings the fast playing and soloing he's known for. Definetly a really great song with a lot of depth and power. The ending part of the song is also a real treat for the listeners.

The final song in this amazing musical journey is called "A Light In The Black". Dio's lyrics in this tune is the continuation to the previous track "Stargazer". This song is the fastest song on the album and it includes really nice and heavy riffing by Blackmore while Powell's drums roar like a frieght train. The middle part contains solos between Carey on keyboards and Blackmore on guitar. Carey's solo really shows what he's capable of and Blackmore's solo shows what he can do on his gutiar as well. Bain and Powell keep the driving speed going all the way until the end of the song. The song itself clocks in at 8:12. A really good closer to an amazing album.

In all, Rainbow Rising is a very good album if you're interested in hearing some heavy riffng and or headbanging. Not necessarly prog, but a great album nonetheless with a lot of prog influence.