Tyranny and Mutation (Remastered, Bonus Tracks)

Also available in a 3-pack with BLUE OYSTER CULT and SECRET TREATIES. Blue Oyster Cult: Eric Bloom (vocals, guitar, synthesizer); Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser (vocals, guitar); Joe Bouchard (vocals, keyboards, bass); Albert Bouchard (vocals, drums); Alan Lanier (guitar, keyboards). Producers: Murray Krugman, Sandy Pearlman. Reissue producer: Bruce Dickinson. Recorded at Columbia Studios, New York, New York in 1972. Originally released on Columbia (32017). Includes liner notes by Lenny Kaye. Digitally remastered by Vic Anesini (Sony Music, New York, New York). As proven by the band's sophomore effort, 1973's TYRANNY & MUTATION, Blue Oyster Cult had only hinted at its knack for penning gripping heavy metal with its 1972 self-titled debut. Whereas the debut did have moments where hard rock shined through the psychedelic haze, TYRANNY was the first BOC record to fully stress the band's metallic roots. The production team of Murray Krugman and Sandy Pearlman returned once again, this time helping BOC focus the intensity and power of its compositions by streamlining the vastness of the debut. The opening track, "The Red & the Black," is a scorching rocker that brings to mind the uncontrollable energy of the punk rock that came a few years later (renowned punksters the Minutemen/fIREHOSE/Mike Watt proved this point by covering the track numerous times). BOC's penchant for hatching peculiar song titles continues, as proven by such tracks as "7 Screaming Diz-Busters," "Wings Wetted Down," "Teen Archer," and "Mistress of the Salmon Salt (Quicklime Girl)," all of which are album highlights.

• Genre: Pop
• Format: CD
• Released: 6/26/2001