Rainbow's second album, released almost a year after their debut, "Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow", is unanimously considered a masterpiece of hard rock, as well as a cornerstone upon which prog metal would later be built.
Overflowing with stunning tracks, they are performed by a dream band comprised of Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie James Dio, Tony Carey, Cozy Powell, and Jimmy Balin, under the production of Martin Birch.
From the opening track, "Tarot Woman", with its hypnotic synth-driven introduction that then transforms into a crushing hard rock anthem, to the blistering "A Light in the Black", eight minutes of frenetic rhythms where Carey's keyboards and Powell's drums dispel any doubt about the instrumental prowess of both musicians, the album unfolds in an unparalleled and legendary fashion.
The rest of the album is equally impressive, featuring the intriguing "Starstruck", the tour de force "Stargazer", and the catchy "Do You Close Your Eyes", all performed in a grandiose and even positively pretentious manner, with Blackmore delivering a stunning performance on guitar and Dio delivering an operatic and sublime vocal performance, confirming his status as one of the five greatest vocalists in the history of heavy metal and hard rock. "Rising" is undoubtedly one of the crown jewels of contemporary music and an essential addition to any serious rock collection.
