Rainbow – Straight Between the Eyes (1982)
Released in 1982, Straight Between the Eyes is the sixth studio album by Rainbow, led by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Continuing the band’s shift toward melodic hard rock, the album features powerful riffs, soaring vocals from Joe Lynn Turner, and polished production.
The album balances Rainbow’s signature virtuosity with accessible songwriting, making it one of the band’s most commercially successful releases of the early 1980s.
Album Credits
Band Members:
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Ritchie Blackmore – Guitar
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Joe Lynn Turner – Lead Vocals
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Roger Glover – Bass
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Cozy Powell – Drums
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David Rosenthal – Keyboards
Producer: Roger Glover
Label: Polydor (UK), Mercury Records (US)
Release Year: 1982
Genre: Hard Rock / Heavy Metal
Cover Art & Design
The cover features a striking illustration of a futuristic, armored figure firing energy beams from its eyes, designed by artist Ken Kelly.
The imagery conveys the album’s aggressive, high-energy tone and blends fantasy and sci-fi elements, reflecting Rainbow’s dramatic, theatrical style during this era.
Musical Style & Sound
Straight Between the Eyes is characterized by:
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Melodic hard rock with tight riffs and memorable hooks
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Virtuosic guitar solos by Ritchie Blackmore
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Strong, commanding vocals by Joe Lynn Turner
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Polished production that highlights each instrument clearly
Notable tracks like Stone Cold and Death Alley Driver demonstrate Rainbow’s ability to combine radio-friendly melodies with heavy, dynamic instrumentation, maintaining the band’s hard rock credibility.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Chart Success: Stone Cold became one of Rainbow’s most popular singles, receiving significant radio play.
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Vocal Style: Joe Lynn Turner’s melodic vocals were key in making the album more commercially accessible.
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Production: Roger Glover produced the album, ensuring a slick, cohesive sound that balanced heaviness with mainstream appeal.
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Touring: The supporting tour helped Rainbow consolidate their popularity in Europe and North America during the early 80s.
Did You Know?
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The album’s title, Straight Between the Eyes, reflects its high-energy, in-your-face rock approach.
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Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar work combines classical-inspired runs with hard rock riffs, influencing many 80s guitarists.
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The album continues Rainbow’s trend of combining fantasy and sci-fi themes with melodic hard rock.
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Straight Between the Eyes was the last Rainbow studio album to feature Cozy Powell on drums before lineup changes in the mid-1980s.
