It’s been argued that heavy metal first started in the 1950s with the surging power chords of Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues” or in the 1960s with The Kinks’ anthem-like “You Really Got Me.”
But there is no doubt that this testosterone-fueled form of amplified machismo-beloved by numerous generations of teenage boys-really took flight in the 1970s. Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Black Sabbath were the nonpareil metal gods of that era. Below them were a host of hot rocking bands that collectively deserve their own chapter in the rock ‘n’ roll history books.
One of these second-tier groups was Blue Oyster Cult, a Long Island, N.Y., outfit that continues to perform today to loyalists in beer-soaked clubs throughout the country. Recently, Sony’s Legacy label reissued two of the band’s ’70s-era albums as a reminder of what BOC had to offer during its peak years.
Of the two re-releases, 1978’s “Some Enchanted Evening” is the better product. It’s a sizzling live album that stands as the group’s second best-selling album behind its masterwork, “Agents of Fortune.” This deluxe, remastered version of “Some Enchanted Evening” has been expanded to include seven additional live tracks from that period. There’s also a bonus DVD featuring part of a 1978 arena concert from Landover, Md. This all makes for an essential, if rather pricey component of any metal-head’s CD collection.
The concert album features much of what made Blue Oyster Cult so attractive: sizzling guitar leads by Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser, sharp songwriting and a somewhat cheesy preoccupation with sci-fi imagery. “E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence)” serves up plenty of raw guitar riffing set against a hooky melody. “Astronomy” is an epic eight-minute song that features both the group’s shadowy mid-tempo side and its penchant for scorching guitar interplay within its three-axe lineup. BOC’s signature song, “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” is also on display, sounding much rawer than the slick but compelling studio version of the hit tune.
The bonus DVD represents a rare opportunity to experience what Blue Oyster Cult was like onstage 30 years ago. Once you get past the sense that you’re watching fashion outtakes from “That ’70s Show” (check out Roeser’s white disco suit) and the less than pristine sound, this is fun and worthwhile viewing. You even get a taste of the band’s laser show during a dramatic rendition of “Astronomy.”
The second Legacy re-release is BOC’s 1977 “Spectres” album, which has also been remastered with bonus tracks. This disc contains a few of the band’s better tunes. The stomping “Godzilla” is a glorious tribute to the Japanese lizard king. “R.U. Ready 2 Rock” is a tuneful and tough exercise that is also lyrically bombastic in a way that would get a cool band crucified today.
“Spectres” lesser tracks underscore BOC’s biggest shortcoming when stacked up against that era’s great metal groups-the lack of a truly striking lead vocalist. You can’t call singer Eric Bloom a liability, but he is not a match for charismatic frontmen like Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.
Check out the deluxe edition of “Some Enchanted Evening” for sure and start saving up for the band’s aforementioned “Agents of Fortune” CD.
