New RAINBOW Song Sounds Like Band's 'Early Days,' Says Singer RONNIE ROMERO

RAINBOW singer Ronnie Romero has confirmed to Metal Forces magazine that the Ritchie Blackmore-led group was in the studio earlier this year recording more material, including one brand new composition. "I don't know when that song is going to be released, but it's a really nice and good song," Ronnie said in an interview that was conducted before RAINBOW's recent U.K. tour. "I think after the shows in the U.K. [in June], we will see what happens as to the intentions of Ritchie Blackmore to make some new music, or do some new shows, or whatever. I don't have any idea right now. Probably we will have some idea at the end of June, after the U.K. tour."

The as-yet-unreleased number is reminiscent of some of RAINBOW's classic offerings. "It's really surprising," Ronnie said. "Ritchie sent me this song some months ago. I expected something different, but the song sounds like the early days of RAINBOW — the first album, the Ritchie Blackmore's RAINBOW album (August 1975) — so I think the fans will really like it."

According to Romero, there are no concrete plans for RAINBOW to release a new full-length album, but "it's an idea, of course," he said. "We've been recording some different stuff; some new songs, and then some songs from the old albums of RAINBOW. Like I told you before though, it depends on Ritchie. After this U.K. tour, we will make some decisions about recording a complete album, or just a couple of more songs, or whatever. It's all about Ritchie's feelings after this month. Right now, I don't know his ideas for the band, but I've got the feeling that if the shows go well, probably we will make some different stuff. If the shows don't go well, June will probably be the end of the new RAINBOW. [Laughs]."

Romero also seemed to suggest that a compilation of re-recorded RAINBOW tracks was a distinct possibility. "Songs from different eras have been recorded, like 'I Surrender' which has already been released, and then some songs from the [Ronnie James] Dio era, and then a song from the Graham Bonnet era," Ronnie revealed. "It's generally like a demo, so we will see what happens with them."

Back in May, the revamped version of RAINBOW released its first new music in more than two decades. Two tracks were made available on iTunes: an instrumental song called "Land Of Hope And Glory", which is is a reworking of the 1902 British patriotic song of the same name from Edward Elgar's "Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1", and a re-recording of the RAINBOW classic "I Surrender", which was written by Russ Ballard and was first released by RAINBOW in 1981. The latter song features vocals recorded by Romero, who is originally from Chile but is now settled in Madrid.

In addition to Blackmore and Romero, the current incarnation of RAINBOW includes STRATOVARIUS keyboardist Jens Johansson, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT drummer David Keith, bassist Bob Nouveau (a.k.a. Robert "Bob" Curiano, ex-BLACKMORE'S NIGHT),and backing singers Candice Night and Lady Lynn.