Blue Öyster Cult are one of the most enduring of American hard rock/ heavy metal combos, signing to the Columbia/ CBS label in 1971 and releasing their self-titled debut album in January 1972.
They developed a cult following and enjoyed mainstream success in the 70s with "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" (1976), and "Godzilla" (1977), along with "Burnin' for You" in 1981, which remain classic rock radio staples. They were early adopters of the music video format, and their videos were in heavy rotation on MTV in its early period.
By way of contrast with the music, their lyricism has always been of a more allusive, even esoteric/ obscure nature, subject matter ranging from the influence of horror fiction writer HP Lovecraft through to vampirism and the Occult. It’s a heady brew; the band has also had lyrical input from the likes of their Manager/ Producer, Sandy Pearlman, Rock critic Richard Meltzer, and the-then unknown poet and performer Patti Smith amongst others.
The band continued making studio albums throughout the 1980s but were dropped by their label following poor sales of their 11th studio album Imaginos in 1988. Their next new studio album Heaven Forbid was released some 10 years later in 1998, with its follow-up Curse of the Hidden Mirror in 2001. Two more studio albums have been released, The Symbol Remains (2020) and Ghost Stories (2024).
The ‘classic’ line-up of BOC comprised Donald Roeser (lead guitar, vocals), Eric Bloom (lead vocals, "stun guitar", keyboards, synthesizer), Allen Lanier (keyboards, rhythm guitar), Joe Bouchard (bass, vocals, keyboards), and Albert Bouchard (drums, percussion, vocals, miscellaneous instruments). They were unusual inasmuch as all five members composed for the band, in various permutations, as well as working with outside writers.
The band has a diehard following and has continued touring throughout, with the current lineup still including Bloom and Roeser. They have sold 25 million records worldwide, and their fusion of hard rock with psychedelia and use of fantastical and tongue-in-cheek lyrics has had a major influence on heavy metal music.
With thanks to Alan Robinson