RISING

This is the album that single handedly prised me from the clutches of punk rock when I was MUCH younger. Together with Deep Purple Made in Japan that is. 'Tarot Woman' is one of those tracks that simply stays with you forever, a monster of a track that I still remember hearing tfor the very first time and being totally captivated by Ronnie Dio's huge voice. Run with the wolf, Starstruck and Do you close your eyes are three absolute classic rock tracks of our time. Brilliant brilliant brilliant. Then we reach 'Stargazer', epic, huge and awsome. Symphonic, orchestral and, well, progressive. Blackmore shine's through on this album like on no other, but not as over indulgent as on DP albums. He really seems to be playing for the song, not for the ego. Ronnie James Dio, from start to finish is amazing. A voice like no other that will be sorely missed. The album closes with 'A light in the black', another chunk of classic hard rock. This album is as close to perfect as I think I will ever hear, so for the first and probably last time I'm going to award 5/5. A wonderful album.