Black Masquerade

Zoo Freaks, get ready to dive into the mystic vibes of "Black Masquerade" by Rainbow from their 1995 album Stranger In Us All. This track, a standout on the album, draws its name from a haunting lyric: "The full moon unmasks the stranger in us all." In a 1995 interview, Ritchie Blackmore, the band’s legendary guitarist, explained the song’s concept, saying it reflects his belief that everyone harbors dual personalities—a good and a bad side, with the "stranger" often driving our actions. He described the song as a nod to the hidden forces within us, a theme that resonates with the track’s dramatic riffs and soaring vocals by Doogie White. The song’s neo-classical flair, paired with its hard rock energy, makes it a fan favorite, often cited by Rainbow enthusiasts on fan sites like Rainbow Fanclan Legacy as one of the band’s most underrated gems.

Another tidbit about "Black Masquerade" comes from its live performance history. The song was a highlight during Rainbow’s 1995 tour, captured in a now-iconic show for the German TV program Rockpalast in Düsseldorf. This performance, released as the Black Masquerade DVD in 2013 by Eagle Rock, showcases the band’s raw energy, with Doogie White’s commanding stage presence and Blackmore’s fiery guitar solos. Fans on the Rainbow (Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow) Facebook group often share bootlegs from this era, praising the improvisational jams that made each show unique. Interestingly, the song’s co-writer, Candice Night, Blackmore’s partner and later co-founder of Blackmore’s Night, contributed backing vocals, adding a subtle layer of mystique that hints at the folk direction Blackmore would soon pursue.

Rainbow, originally formed as Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, began in 1975 when Blackmore left Deep Purple to chase a new creative vision. Born in Weston-super-Mare, England, in 1945, Blackmore was already a seasoned musician, having started as a session guitarist in the 1960s for artists like Screaming Lord Sutch. His technical prowess and love for classical music shaped his distinctive style, blending hard rock with baroque influences. After co-founding Deep Purple in 1968 and driving hits like “Smoke on the Water,” Blackmore grew restless with the band’s direction. Seeking more control, he teamed up with members of the American band Elf, including vocalist Ronnie James Dio, to form Rainbow. Their debut album, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, named after Blackmore’s favorite haunt, the Rainbow Bar & Grill in Los Angeles, set the stage for a career marked by mystical lyrics and heavy riffs.

Over the years, Rainbow went through multiple lineup changes, with Blackmore as the sole constant. By the time Stranger In Us All was recorded, the band featured fresh faces like vocalist Doogie White, who was a finalist to replace Bruce Dickinson in Iron Maiden. Blackmore’s decision to reform Rainbow in 1995, after another Deep Purple exit, was fueled by a desire to return to hard rock before pivoting to the Renaissance-inspired Blackmore’s Night. Fans can connect with Rainbow’s legacy through their official fan site, which offers discographies and tour archives, or join discussions in the Rainbow Official Facebook community. While the band’s Instagram and X accounts are less active, they occasionally share throwbacks to the band’s glory days, keeping the Zoo Freaks’ spirit alive.