Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow to release 2 singles this week

By Scott Munro
( Classic Rock )
published

Ritchie Blackmore’s reactivated Rainbow will release Land Of Hope And Glory and I Surrender on May 26

Ritchie Blackmore
Ritchie Blackmore

Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow will release two singles later this week.

Guitarist Blackmore reported last month that he had recorded two new tracks – and now it’s been revealed those will be a new composition titled Land Of Hope And Glory along with a re-recording I Surrender.

They’ll both be released on May 26.

Blackmore told Japan’s Burrn! magazine: “We were recording until yesterday in the studio at our home. We recorded some songs for Blackmore’s Night and two songs with the new singer for Rainbow.”

He continues: “I wrote one new song, and also recorded one of the old ones. Ronnie, who is in Madrid now, added his vocals and sent it back. Rather than make an album, we may release as singles.”

His wife and Blackmore’s Night vocalist Candice Night added: “It first started as a 20th anniversary thing for Blackmore’s Night, re-recording some old material, but we came up with new songs.

“We have no plans for release right now, we were just having fun, but we may release when the right time comes – but not right now.”

Both Land Of Hope And Glory and I Surrender are now available for pre-order.

Blackmore reactivated Rainbow with Lords Of Black singer Ronnie Romero in 2015, also bringing in Stratovarius keyboardist Jens Johansson, Blackmore’s Night drummer David Keith and bassist Bob Nouveau.

Rainbow’s performance at the Genting Arena in Birmingham from June last year is to be released as a double album on June 9 titled Live In Birmingham 2016.

Rainbow also have four live UK shows scheduled for next month.

Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow UK tour 2017

Jun 17: London O2 Stone Free Festival
Jun 22: Manchester Arena
Jun 25: Glasgow SSE Hydro
Jun 28: Birmingham Genting Arena

Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow - Stranger In Us All (Expanded) album review

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Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald newspapers, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.