I bought this album ’cause I heard a track by the band called ’’Astronomy’’ covered by Metallica on their ’’Garage Inc. Vol.1’’ and liked it, so the moment I saw the album in a local music store I grabbed it. But boy was I disappointed.Don’t go by the band’s name, ’’Blue Oyster Cult’’(sounds impressive na), or by the album’s cover, which shows a grim reaper in a graveyard, they only mislead you to belive that this is a death metal band, which, unfortunately, can’t be further from the truth.
The text on the inlay card begins with the lines- ’’Blue Oyster Cult has long been one of rock’s most uncompromising and most widely misunderstood bands.’’ Well I can’t say about the second statement but I have serious doubts about the first one ’cause most of their songs are pop. The track ’’(Don’t Fear) The Reaper’’ may sound like a hardcore death metal song but its an out and out pop song. Only 2 tracks stand out ’’Cities On Flame With Rock & Roll’’ and ’’Flaming telepaths’’, both of them having a stupendous opening riff and showcase the early days of metal in the 70’s. The other tracks are just plain rock or pop.
This album may intrest a person going for easy listening but my sincere advise to metalheads stay clear of this and don’t waste your money like I did.