Rainbow – Rising VG+/VG+

Rising is the second studio album by the English hard rock band Rainbow, released on May 17, 1976. It is considered by many to be one of the most influential albums in the development of heavy metal, and features the classic lineup of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, vocalist Ronnie James Dio, keyboardist Tony Carey, bassist Jimmy Bain, and drummer Cozy Powell.

The album is notable for its eclectic mix of musical styles, including hard rock, progressive rock, and classical music. Blackmore’s guitar playing is at its peak throughout, and Dio’s vocals are simply stunning. The album also features some of the band’s most iconic songs, including “Starstruck”, “A Light in the Black”, and the epic title track.

Rising was a critical and commercial success, reaching number 53 on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States and number 11 on the UK Albums Chart. It has since been certified platinum in both countries. The album has also been praised by many musicians, including Rob Halford of Judas Priest and Snowy Shaw of King Diamond, who have both cited it as a major influence.

In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked Rising number 48 on its list of the 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time. The album is also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.