Blue Öyster Cult

[Shadowmancer]

While there was a thread created for Queensrÿche, there isn't a thread devoted to a band that is overlooked quite often in my opinion in Blue Öyster Cult. This band has been around since the early 70s, they have created some of the best music that I can say that I listen to when I get the urge. The importance of Blue Öyster Cult when it comes to the influence on metal and Rock in general is forgotten in the face of two bands, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, both of which deserve all of the accolades given to them. But the importance of Blue Öyster Cult is that they are there with songs that deal with many issues while also being able to have fun with other songs. The two big examples of this diversity are "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and "Godzilla", both of which are great songs within their own right.

One of my personal favourite Blue Öyster Cult songs is one that is played in the movie "Heavy Metal" that being "Veteran of the Psychic Wars", this song has it all with Buck Dharma's awesome guitar as well as Eric Blooms haunting vocals. The Sci-fi elements within the song add to it. The importance of this song is even shown in two big names that have covered it, Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne, and for those that know them, Tarot cover it as well.

Though the song that first brought this great band to my attention is "(Don't Fear) The Reaper", the original not the cover that The Muttonbirds did for Peter Jackson's film "The Frighteners". The lyrics and message behind the song are inspiring to say the least. Here is what Buck Dharma had to say about the song.

I felt that I had just achieved some kind of resonance with the psychology of people when I came up with that, I was actually kind of appalled when I first realized that some people were seeing it as an advertisement for suicide or something that was not my intention at all. It is, like, not to be afraid of it (as opposed to actively bring it about). It's basically a love song where the love transcends the actual physical existence of the partners.

Just a brilliant song that resonates when you look at it as a love song.

 

[Mr. TM]

Blue Oyster Cult is by far one of my favorite bands to listen to on a good summer day. They like you said, do not receive enough attention. Overall, the band is a great band, with a unique sound, great vocals, and some great guitar riffs. Don't Fear the Reaper will always stand out as their most popular song, and most people will only know them for that one hit.

Astronomy is one of my favourite songs. For people who does not know about the band, or this song, check it out. Some may remember it from the cover that Metallica did off of their cover album. If you ever need a great song to drive around, with the windows open, here it is. A song with a sound that you'll never find a repeat of.

The bands only other number one, besides Don't Fear the Reaper was Burnin' For You. Although it is not one of my favourites, I would recommend it if you wanted a bigger base of BOC songs. I think many bands of the eighties owe a lot to this song, with many of the artists from the 80's replicating this sound.