Is Rising a good place to start with Rainbow?

Yes, Rising is recommended as a starting point for new Rainbow listeners. Epic melodies intertwine with virtuosic instrumentation, creating a powerful fusion of hard rock and neo-classical elements. Rising marked Rainbow's fourth studio album and the first with legendary vocalist Ronnie James Dio since their previous work, Long Live Rock 'n' Roll. Released in May 1976, it solidified the band's presence in the hard rock genre, showcasing a more ambitious sound that merged heavy metal with classical influences.

Rising works well if you're into dynamic peaks and valleys, soaring vocals for catharsis and immersive listening in sequence.

How many songs are on Rising?

Rising has 6 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

Released 50 years ago

Rising

Rainbow · 1976

33 min · 6 tracks · hard rock

Epic melodies intertwine with virtuosic instrumentation, creating a powerful fusion of hard rock and neo-classical elements.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Stargazer — This track stands out with its grand orchestration and dynamic shifts, epitomizing the band's melding of classical music with heavy rock.
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Tarot Woman Start here — The opening track establishes the album's mystical atmosphere through vivid storytelling and intricate guitar work, setting the stage for what follows.
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A Light in the Black — Closing the album, this song combines soaring vocals and complex arrangements, encapsulating the band's signature style and thematic depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

70 /100

Alpine

Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

Rising combines intricate compositions with strong performances, marking it as a significant work in hard rock and power metal.

What we noticed

The album opens with 'Tarot Woman', featuring a slow build-up that introduces orchestral elements before transitioning into a driving hard rock tempo.
The final two tracks, 'Stargazer' and 'A Light in the Black', serve as a climactic conclusion, with 'Stargazer' featuring a symphonic backdrop and 'A Light in the Black' returning to a faster pace.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic peaks and valleys
soaring vocals for catharsis
immersive listening in sequence
powerful crescendos and releases

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, standalone tracks
seek constant, unchanging energy

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established Rainbow's reputation and influenced the power metal genre.
Career context: Rising marked Rainbow's fourth studio album and the first with legendary vocalist Ronnie James Dio since their previous work, Long Live Rock 'n' Roll. Released in May 1976, it solidified the band's presence in the hard rock genre, showcasing a more ambitious sound that merged heavy metal with classical influences.
Stylistic neighbors: Deep Purple· Black Sabbath· Judas Priest