Words by Anselm Anderson
Today, the legendary Blue Oyster Cult have released 50th Anniversary Live-First Night via Frontiers Music S.R.L. The Three-day event celebrates an incredible fifty years of Classic rock icons, recorded in September 2022. The 2-CD Deluxe edition divides the first night into two.
As part of the extravaganza, the band played three sold-out shows at Sony Hall, NYC. During the set, the band played one of their first three albums- 1972's self-titled debut, 1973's Tyrants and Mutation, and 1974's Secret Treaties. The three-hour sets featured deep cuts and a special guest appearance from founding drummer Albert Bouchard.
I have long been a fan of the group so any opportunity to review one of their releases brings joy to this writer. The band are seen as a major influence on the heavy metal and hard rock scene, including Metallica. They are renowned for their catchy songs, heavy music, and lyrics often deemed funny, ambiguous, or terrifying. The set features original singer/lead guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser and vocalist/rhythm guitarist Eric Bloom, bassist Danny Miranda, drummer Jules Radino and fellow guitarist/keyboardist Richie Castellano.
I think that is a slight background to these legends, so let's go to the review!
The setlist itself is organized with the group's melodic tracks building up pace towards the heavier and rockier tracks. The album begins with an exclamation "Here they come, the amazing Blue Oyster Cult". The band come out to a raucous applause and gets straight into "Transmission MC". Roeser and Bloom still retain a tight chemistry with the new lineup and make each song sound like the original. The blues-infused "I'm On The Lamb But I Ain't No Sleep" and "Then Came the Last Days of May" sound feel fresh and the audience is pleased with the performance. The band continue to keep them interested with fan's favourite "Cities on Flame with Rock 'N' Roll" and "Workshops Of The Telescopes". These heavy tracks seem to motivate the audience with stellar guitar play and the ever-impressive vocals of Buck Dharma and Bloom combining like two old friends having fun wrapping up the first CD.
The second CD performance continues with a focus more on the band's rock catalogue with songs like "Redeemed", "Dr Music" and "Burnin' For You" sounding like a night out at a local venue opening up the performance. Obviously, this version of the release features the popular "Don't Fear The Reaper" and "Godzilla" getting the biggest reactions of the night with a bold warning from Buck Dharma having fun with the audience. The second CD is heavier than the first with "That Was Me" and "Hot Rails to Hell" completing a respectable celebration of a band in their pomp.
Blue Oyster Cult delight a packed Sony Hall with a treat for fans in time for the festive season. This is a perfect Christmas present for die-hard fans of B.O.C.
Rating: 8/10
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