Review: Rainbows Are Free ‘Silver And Gold’
The Unlimited Colours Of The Rainbow…
There are countless stoner-doom and heavy-psych bands these days, both classic and emerging, but Rainbows Are Free is radically different. Originally from Norman, Oklahoma, they fuse the power of proto-metal with psychedelic sprawl, creating a sound that’s as theatrical as it is thunderous. Formed in 2007 by members of several local heavy rock bands, they’ve garnered a legion of loyal fans thanks to interesting releases and theatrical concerts.
Led by the unpredictable giant Brandon Kistler, the lineup is completed by the duo of Richie Tarver and Joey Powell on guitars, the strong-solid Jason Smith on bass, the hyperkinetic timekeeper Bobby Onspaugh on drums, and the great addition of Josh Elam on keyboards.
Following up the 2019 masterpiece Head Pains and the powerful live album Heavy Metal Petal in 2023, Rainbows Are Free released Silver And Gold in March 2025. Influenced by classic bands like Black Sabbath and Hawkwind, they also carry a strong touch of 1980s British post-punk, particularly Killing Joke and The Cult.
From the opening explosion of Your Girl, which carries similarities to Head Pains opener The Sound Inside, with its vibrant bass and ritualistic drums intro, the album sets an esoteric tone. Kistler’s voice remains a hallmark, penetrating the mix like a preacher possessed by a mantra and naughtiness. The entire band sounds more personal, mature, and more connected while unafraid to expand and explore.
Runnin’ With A Friend Of The Devil and Solar Flare are pure adrenaline-fueled riffs. There is always something unexpected – a keyboard sound, a guitar fill, a sudden change of direction – that, as the tracks play through, keeps things interesting.
they fuse the power of proto-metal with psychedelic sprawl…
The middle part of the album leans into its darkest moments with Sleep and Hide, while The Light brings back that dark-punk energy. It’s the most ’80s-sounding song on the album, evoking the classic era of The Cult, with keyboards driving the atmosphere.
The record closing section with Dirty, a frenetic, surf-metal influenced song driven by distorted guitars and a Farfisa organ that gives it a distinctive 1950s feel, Fadeaway, with its emotional weight and almost a ballad delivery and The Gift, a dramatic closer showing the band’s most progressive doom and psychedelic side.
The production is exceptional. From the first chord, the sound immerses you in the their world. The addition of keyboards adds depth and a space flavour to their sound, and the cover art, a kind of black hole above a Martian crater (?), sets the mood even before you hit play. The video for Sleep is especially worthwhile, with its brilliant stop-motion plasticine animation evoking the Frank Zappa videos of the 1970s.
Silver And Gold showcases a more mature band, better prepared to express their ideas than on previous releases. They’ve surpassed all standards, delivering what might be their best studio album so far, exhibiting their most intimate and deranged side. The album is unpredictable and strange, but in a good way, as they’re not trying to cleverly fit into the saturated bag of heavy psych or stoner doom. Rainbows Are Free are creating something of their own, elegant and more polished. There are no limits for these guys…
Label: Ripple Music
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Renzo
