Gates of Babylon

Hey, Zoo Freaks, your hippie DJs at THE ZOO are spinning the mystical vibes of Gates of Babylon by Rainbow from their 1978 album Long Live Rock 'n' Roll. This track is a wild ride, and we've got some far-out trivia to share. Recorded at the Château d'Hérouville in France, a studio where legends like David Bowie and Pink Floyd laid down tracks, the band claimed a demonic presence named Baal messed with their gear during the sessions, especially for this song. Ronnie James Dio, Rainbow's frontman, said they had to hold a séance to finish it—talk about heavy metal occult vibes! Keyboardist David Stone, who wrote parts of the song's intro and middle eight, was bummed he didn’t get credit, having sold his share to Ritchie Blackmore and Dio. Fans on Reddit love its Middle Eastern flair, with one calling it a “trading route” of Asian and European sounds, capped by a Yiddish-style violin outro. Yngwie Malmsteen, a guitar god, once named Blackmore’s solo in this track as a favorite, snagging a cassette of the album at a gun show just for it!

The song’s lyrics, penned by Dio, are a trip through orientalist imagery—magic carpets, genies, and a “city of heavenly sin.” Some fans on Songfacts see it as a nod to 19th-century drug-induced mysticism, with lines like “sleep with the devil and then you must pay” hinting at the dangers of chasing paradise through opium or hashish. Others interpret it as a Christian allegory, warning that wealth leads to hell, citing the Bible’s “camel through the eye of a needle” verse. On X, fans dig the sultry bassline, calling it the devil’s temptation woven into Dio’s epic warning. This track’s a cornerstone of power metal, with its fantasy aesthetic influencing countless bands, as noted by Wikipedia.

Now, let’s groove into how Rainbow got started. Formed in 1975 by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, the band was born from his split with Deep Purple, where he’d been a riff-slinging legend. Wanting a fresh sound, Blackmore teamed up with Ronnie James Dio, whose soaring vocals and fantasy-driven lyrics shaped Rainbow’s early vibe. They debuted with Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, blending hard rock with mystical themes. The lineup shifted often—Blackmore was known for shaking things up—but the core of Blackmore, Dio, and drummer Cozy Powell defined their classic era. By Long Live Rock 'n' Roll, they’d cemented their legacy, though Dio left soon after to join Black Sabbath. Rainbow’s influence on heavy metal, especially power and neoclassical styles, is massive, with Blackmore’s guitar wizardry inspiring shredders like Malmsteen.

Connect with Rainbow’s legacy online! Check out their official site at rainbowmusic.com for news and history. Their Facebook page keeps the flame alive with updates and throwbacks. On Instagram, you’ll find vintage pics and fan love. Follow them on X for the latest buzz. Fans gather at Rainbow Fanclan Legacy, a killer fan site packed with rare photos and stories. Join the Rainbow (Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow) Fan Group on Facebook to vibe with fellow freaks sharing bootlegs and memories. Keep rocking, Zoo Crew!