Description
Rush – Caress Of Steel – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Released on September 24, 1975, Caress of Steel was Rush’s third studio album and arguably their most pivotal and divisive early release. It marked their first full dive into progressive rock, featuring long, conceptual suites, fantasy storytelling, and complex arrangements. However, the album’s commercial failure and lukewarm reception nearly derailed the band’s career, leading to what they later called their “Down the Tubes” tour due to poor ticket sales.
Despite its struggles at the time, Caress of Steel has since gained a cult following, recognized as an essential step in Rush’s evolution. It paved the way for their breakthrough album, 2112 (1976), which would ultimately define their signature sound. Today, Caress of Steel is appreciated for its bold ambition, intricate musicianship, and fearless experimentalism.
By 1975, Rush was rapidly moving beyond their Led Zeppelin-inspired hard rock origins (as heard on Rush, 1974) and into progressive rock territory, following the influence of bands like Genesis, King Crimson, and Yes. Their second album, Fly by Night (1975), had already introduced Neil Peart’s complex lyricism and fantasy themes, but Caress of Steel pushed these elements even further.
The album is split between shorter, hard rock songs and two sprawling epics—a bold but risky move. Thematically, it explores fantasy, history, existentialism, and rebellion, themes that would become Rush trademarks. Musically, it features intricate time signatures, dramatic dynamic shifts, and extended instrumental passages, showcasing the band’s growing confidence as musicians.
Key Tracks and Highlights
Side One: The Rockers
“Bastille Day” – A fiery hard rock anthem about the French Revolution, this track kicks off the album with high energy, blistering guitar riffs, and urgent drumming. It remains one of Rush’s best early rock songs and was a staple of their live shows for years.
“I Think I’m Going Bald” – A humorous, riff-heavy track about aging and vanity, likely inspired by Kiss’s “Goin’ Blind” (as Rush had toured with them). While not a fan favorite, it shows the band’s playful side.
“Lakeside Park” – A nostalgic, mid-tempo song about Neil Peart’s childhood memories of a park in Ontario. It’s one of the album’s most accessible songs, featuring a laid-back feel and sentimental lyrics.
Side Two: The Epics
“The Necromancer” – Rush’s first true fantasy epic, a three-part, 12-minute suite influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien. It tells the story of a battle against an evil sorcerer (a thinly veiled reference to Sauron from The Lord of the Rings), featuring dramatic spoken-word narration, dark atmosphere, and shifting musical styles—from ominous doom-like passages to triumphant, soaring guitar solos.
“The Fountain of Lamneth” – Rush’s first full-album side epic, clocking in at over 20 minutes. This sprawling composition explores a man’s search for meaning and enlightenment, symbolized by the mythical Fountain of Lamneth. Musically, it’s incredibly diverse, featuring sections of acoustic introspection, bombastic rock, and intricate instrumental passages. The song’s fragmented structure was ambitious but also made it difficult for casual listeners to grasp.
At the time, Caress of Steel bombed commercially. Fans who loved the straightforward hard rock of Rush and Fly by Night were confused by the progressive direction, and critics dismissed it as pretentious and overindulgent. It peaked at No. 148 on the Billboard 200, making it one of Rush’s worst-selling albums.
The album’s poor reception led to label pressure to abandon the progressive style, and the band feared they were on the verge of being dropped. Their supporting tour was a financial disaster, playing to half-empty venues. This bleak period became known as the “Down the Tubes” tour, as even Geddy Lee later admitted that things felt hopeless.
However, instead of backing down, Rush doubled down on their vision, leading to the creation of 2112 (1976), which became their breakthrough album and proved that they could succeed on their own terms.
Though Caress of Steel was initially seen as a misstep, it has since been reevaluated as an essential, if flawed, step in Rush’s artistic evolution.It was the first album to introduce Rush’s long-form, conceptual storytelling, paving the way for masterpieces like 2112 and Hemispheres (1978). Songs like “Bastille Day” and “Lakeside Park” became fan favorites, while “The Necromancer” showed their ability to blend fantasy storytelling with progressive rock. The album’s bold experimentation and refusal to conform became a defining characteristic of Rush’s career.
While it may not have been their commercial breakthrough, Caress of Steel is now cherished by die-hard fans as a cult classic that represents Rush at their most fearless and uncompromising.
Caress of Steel was risky, experimental, and ahead of its time. Though it nearly cost Rush their career, it ultimately set the stage for their legendary progressive rock era. If you’re a Rush fan who appreciates their most ambitious works, Caress of Steel is an essential listen—one that rewards patience and deep listening.
180g Audiophile Vinyl
Direct Metal Mastering
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Bastille Day
I Think I’m Going Bald
Lakeside Park
The Necromancer
Into Darkness
Under The Shadow
Return Of The Prince
The Fountain Of Lamneth
In The Valley
Didacts & Narpets
No One At The Bridge
Panacea
Bacchus Plateau
The Fountain
