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Fire of Unknown Origin

Blue Öyster Cult

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iTunes Review

After several albums of less distinguished material and questionable production, Blue Oyster Cult came rallying back in 1981 with one of their most focused efforts. The hit single “Burnin’ for You” perfectly encapsulates the group’s rebirth with an evenly-paced rocker which hints at the band’s dark side that finds further voice in the doom-laden “Joan Crawford.” “Veteran of the Psychic Wars” includes lyrics from fantasy writer Michael Moorcock and a militant step that underscores the futile march. The psychedelic shimmer and ‘80s keyboards of “Sole Survivor” enliven the lonely lament at the song’s heart. “Heavy Metal: The Black and the Silver” sports a strident hard rock vocal with lyrics that leave much to question. On the surface Blue Oyster Cult's songs seem to express the toughness demanded by the heavy metal crowd and the fiery guitar solos execute these hopeful dreams, however, attentive listeners discover the wreckage in the wake. The heroes barely hang on as little more than survivors. It makes for a surreal experience.

Customer Reviews

An underrated classic masterpiece.

This is BOC’s best album. Contains great heavy metal and softer rock. It is definitely underrated, every song on here is great. Song by song… Fire Of Unknown Origin- 5/5 A great opener. Everything about this song is just perfect. Burnin For You- 5/5 Sure, it’s the single, but it deserves to be. Great song and brilliant guitar work. Veteran Of The Psychic Wars 5/5- Brilliant masterpiece. This song is incredible, you can literally feel the brutality of war. Sole Survivor 4.5/5- Cool song, contains every genre of rock in here, but not quite good enough to be a 5. Heavy Metal: Black And Silver- 5/5 This song is so awesome. The guitar intro is sick, and shows a more metal side. Vengeance (The Pact)- 4/5 This is not really rock, but still a good song. Not great, a little too much synth. After Dark- 4.5/5 It’s a very good song, but the lyrics are only average. Joan Crawford 5/5 This is song is odd, but its awesome. It really grows on you. Cool piano intro. Don’t Turn Your Back 5/5 A great closer. It really gives a message: life is shorter than you think. I love this album. It’s just great and so underrated. I’m the 4th to write a review, but I feel I should be 444th. It’s a classic, and has enough genres of rock for everyone to enjoy.

The Return of the Masters

Blue Oyster Cult, the premier heavy metal band of the 70s began to lag in the lat 70s, and by 81', the band was looking ready to split then by God's grace, they returned. Fire of Unknown Origin is by far better than any other success BOC had, it is amazing. "Burnin' For You" is simply put rock heaven and Buck Dharma (Donald Roeser) is never more a prolific and talented guitarist than he is here. Buy this album, not just because of the amazing talent of BOC, not just because of the angelic guitar playing but because it deserves to be listened to, to be recognized but even more to be enjoyed. A classic in it's own right and a masterpiece with everyone else's.

Good album

I have to throw this out here. Have people never heard of Blue oyster cult? That would be sad. They are one of the greatest rock bands ever. Or do you just not feel like reviewing albums? Listen to this! It's really good!

Biography

Formed: 1967 in NY

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

Blue Öyster Cult was the thinking man's heavy metal group. Put together on a college campus by a couple of rock critics, it maintained a close relationship with a series of literary figures (often in the fields of science fiction and horror), including Eric Von Lustbader, Patti Smith, Michael Moorcock, and Stephen King, while turning out some of the more listenable metal music of the early and mid-'70s. The band that became Blue Öyster Cult was organized in 1967 at Stony Brook College on Long Island...
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