The esoteric themes of Blue Öyster Cult
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Topic: The esoteric themes of Blue Öyster Cult
Posted By: Toaster Mantis
Subject: The esoteric themes of Blue Öyster Cult
Date Posted: April 17 2014 at 12:32
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One of my favourite things about Blue Öyster Cult is how the group's central "band concept" revolves around his insanely ambitious surrealist cosmic horror mythology that Sandy Pearlman cooked up with some help from Patti Smith and others, drawing upon a wide cultural frame of reference from mediaeval hermetic alchemy over the behind-the-scenes causes of both World Wars to the pulp literature in the H. P. Lovecraft tradition. Figuring out exactly what some of their songs mean, as a result, is a constantly ongoing process that requires learning new information and piecing together some grand terrifying cosmic puzzle. Well, thanks to a mystically-minded Canadian I befriended on Facebook through a process I'm not yet completely cogisant of, I've come into this blog titled VISUP about the overlap between esoteric politics/religion and popular culture... and it turns out they have done http://visupview.blogspot.dk/2012/09/how-music-died-part-iii.html" rel="nofollow - quite a bit of legwork in exegesis regarding BÖC's "black-and-white" trilogy . (their first three studio LPs) Looks like http://visupview.blogspot.dk/2012/09/how-music-died-iv.html" rel="nofollow - the rabbit hole goes even deeper than I thought , down through Wicca, the JFK assassination, the Manson Family and the notoriously bizarre Gnostic religious movement known as the Process Church of the Final Judgement. Not terribly surprising to find out that there's a high likelihood Robert Anton Wilson might have been a BÖC fan! ------------- "The past is not some static being, it is not a previous present, nor a present that has passed away; the past has its own dynamic being which is constantly renewed and renewing." - Claire Colebrook |
Replies:
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: April 17 2014 at 12:38
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Wish I had time to read that right now - I'll bookmark for later. I've always wondered what this supposed concept of theirs was all about. I enjoy the albums, but never dug beneath the surface on any of the lyrics. I rarely pay attention to lyrics anyway. But I'm a big fan of those first three albums, so this may even enhance my enjoyments of them more.
------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: April 17 2014 at 14:05
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I love BÖC. They definitely have an edge in the lyrics dept. over a great many other bands. Pearlman's concept is an expansive one and I read up a lot on it years ago, but it's probably time for a refresher course! ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: April 17 2014 at 14:12
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I only have their 'Secret Treaties' album, which I got on a whim, but I really dig it. Especially Harvester of Eyes and Astronomy. Haven't paid too much attention to the lyrics though, maybe outside of the ones on offer on Astronomy, but I guess that's down to the rather emotive and down key tempo of the piano accompanying them. Really makes them stand on their own. Btw I moved this thread to the prog related forum. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: M27Barney
Date Posted: April 17 2014 at 15:28
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Is that the album with the Messerschmitt 262 on the cover? I think I have that on vinyl! Not listened to any BOC for twenty years!!! ------------- Play me my song.....Here it comes again....... |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: April 19 2014 at 12:59
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Been a BOC fan since the first album came out and always loved their occult references and 'tongue in cheek' lyrics.
I've read about the Pearlman connection before years ago and while there certainly are some conceptual things going on I don't think one should over analyze a band that was making good rock music and having some fun with it.
btw....I'll have to ck my RAWilson books to see if he ever mentioned BOC.
 ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: April 19 2014 at 13:58
An overlooked/underrated BÖC album is 1978's Mirrors. (Okay, not really, not if you're a fan!) It boasts "The Great Sun Jester" and "The Vigil" (lyrics by M. Moorcock), Allen Lanier's "In Thee," and a truly wonderful album closer called "Lonely Teardrops."  ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: April 19 2014 at 15:58
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BOC doing their occult thing............
------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: April 19 2014 at 16:37
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One of my favorite tracks by the boys.....full of ufo, occult references , religious name, and even a book reference.
I hear the music, daylight disc Three men in black said, "Don't report this" "Ascension," and that's all they said Sickness now, the hour's dread All praise He's found the awful truth, Balthazar He's found the saucer news I'm in fairy rings and tower beds "Don't report this," three men said Books by the blameless and by the dead King in yellow, queen in red All praise He's found the awful truth, Balthazar He's found the saucer news Dead leaves always give up motion I no longer feel emotion Where prophecy fails, the fallen notion "Don't report this, agents of fortune" All praise He's found the awful truth, Balthazar He's found the saucer news ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: April 22 2014 at 06:09
I'm puzzled by a band like BOC (whose music I heartily loathe) I can never square what I hear as crassly populist stadium macho grunt swagger/pomp with the sort of lyrical depth and substance alluded to in threads such as this. It's my loss but I do know that a cloak ain't an undergarment... ------------- 
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Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: April 22 2014 at 16:13
Heartily loathe...? Puzzled..?
 I kind of feel that way 'bout most of the 'prog (and or hair) metal' bands ("crassly populist stadium macho grunt swagger/pomp) people here often say they like .....Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, AC/DC, even some Sabbath.
But imho BOC is a whole different thing and has always left me smiling after listening to their music....but then ,as is often mentioned here, everyone's taste is different.
 ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
ExittheLemming wrote:Posted By: Kentucky_Hawkwindage
Date Posted: April 22 2014 at 16:25
I have that LP in my collection,one of my favorite LPs of BOC 4-sure. ------------- "Nobody's Gonna Change My World That's Something To Unreal" Lyrics that i live my life by-from Black Sabbath's Technical Ecstasy's track You Won't Change Me |
Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: April 23 2014 at 02:29
Fair comment. I perhaps owe it myself to give BOC another listen. -------------
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Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: April 23 2014 at 10:54
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Give this one a try...the very first track I ever heard from them.....stoned on my brothers front porch at college....speakers blasting....blew my head off back then....it still kicks ass imho.
------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: TODDLER
Date Posted: April 23 2014 at 11:56
| Through musician friends and family ....it was claimed that Eric Bloom protested on all accounts and stated that the band had no real personal interest in the occult and from the very start. He has spoken freely with confidence that the record company assigned the band to research the occult and further supplying books on the subject for the sole purpose of marketing their music. I have been informed that he rolls his eyes when asked the question....which has been an on going repeated question by fans for decades. |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: April 23 2014 at 14:01
I never tire of this song. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: brainstormer
Date Posted: April 23 2014 at 20:02
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BOC was always one of those bands that I just stayed away from. Queen was another, lol Rush another one. Maybe I can try to link them together somehow. ------------- -- Robert Pearson Regenerative Music http://www.regenerativemusic.net Telical Books http://www.telicalbooks.com ParaMind Brainstorming Software http://www.paramind.net |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: April 23 2014 at 21:56
I can easily believe that and imo it was mostly an image thing which as Toaster pointed out was created by Sandy Pearlman their manager and guiding light.; perhaps their Peter Sinfield if you will. ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: April 24 2014 at 00:24
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Iain, while many BOC songs do stick to the cookie cutter metal approach, they can also produce some inspired, poignant moments. Especially their guitarist Donald Roeser. To be very honest, their alleged lyrical complexity doesn't really interest me because it doesn't touch my soul. But what does is some of Roeser's aching licks. Roeser was one of the great rock guitarists; he could keep things simple and still produce very memorable and haunting solos. And he kept doing this even as rock moved to the Van Halen approach of shredding all over for the guitar solo. |
Posted By: ExittheLemming
Date Posted: April 24 2014 at 07:45
Thanks for posting these tracks. Yes, he's a very fine and refreshingly economic rock guitar player who understands when to be silent or keep things simple when appropriate (the less is more wisdom) However, as much as I want to enjoy this band, it all still sounds like generic rawk to my stubborn eardrums. (It's my loss alas...)  -------------
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Posted By: Toaster Mantis
Date Posted: April 24 2014 at 15:19
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Their first three LPs with black/white/red cover art have enough compositional ambition and outside-the-box thinking in the instrumentation to go along with the cryptic lyrics even though they're not really progressive in the same sense as the UK bands of that movement. They did indeed become a bit too "arena rock" for my liking after Agents of Fortune.
------------- "The past is not some static being, it is not a previous present, nor a present that has passed away; the past has its own dynamic being which is constantly renewed and renewing." - Claire Colebrook |
Posted By: Kentucky_Hawkwindage
Date Posted: April 24 2014 at 16:06
I completely agree-a very underrated BOC album.I couldn't have named 2 better BOC songs from that LP myself! I actually totalled out a `72 Chevelle SS in 1986 while The Vigil was playing,the car got away from me,not sure if was the BOC or the 400 HP lol.Actually not that funny as i was banged up pretty good from that wreck took about a year before i walked without crutches again.Left leg was fractured in 8 places.Now as i'm older the injuries are beginning to catch up with me in the form of Mr Arthritis.Thank god for hydrocodone i guess.... ------------- "Nobody's Gonna Change My World That's Something To Unreal" Lyrics that i live my life by-from Black Sabbath's Technical Ecstasy's track You Won't Change Me |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: April 24 2014 at 16:54
btw...you started the thread about the esoteric elements but haven't really said much...what are your thoughts on those aspects? ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Prog Sothoth
Date Posted: April 24 2014 at 20:14
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The first three albums are my favorite, although I do enjoy the borderline metal of Cultasaurus and the semi-scifi Fire Of Unknown Origin. The debut definitely has this spacey reverbed production that actually matches the cover art quite well. Even the hard rocker such as "Cities On Flame" wind up sounding like borderline space-rock thanks to all that echoing, but the production really works wonders on the mellower tunes, especially the "Screams / She's As Beautiful As A Foot" duo, in which they sound not just trippy, but full-on eerie. Talking about tasteful guitar playing, "Then Came The Last Days Of May" is utterly gorgeous, and combined with the 'drug deal gone wrong' lyrics, the whole effect is haunting. Secret Treaties has a warmer production and has more of a straight rock vibe for awhile, but the last three songs veer awayeaties from conventional rock into something not a lot of bands were doing at the time. "Astronomy" is so epic. My fav BOC though is Tyranny And Mutation. I loved how they took "I'm On The Lamb" from the debut and turned it into some kind of proto-punk/thrash thing called "The Red & The Black". No surprise that the Minutemen eventually covered it. Nice mean guitar tone throughout the album, and I dig every song, even the bluesy and not so adventurous "OD'd On Life Itself". The only issue at all I would have is that I wish the production on the drums had a bit more 'oomph' at times. Lyrically those albums sort of matched the weird esoteric stuff ("Workshop Of The Telescopes" and "7 Screaming Diz-Busters" are really out there) with other tunes that possessed a sort of renegade biker theme. Agents Of Fortune and Spectres certainly had some signature great tunes, but no shortage of oddball clunkers as well. I've never actually heard Mirrors or anything after The Revolution By Night which turned out to be a kind of unfortunate blind buy purchase when it came out.
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Posted By: Toaster Mantis
Date Posted: April 25 2014 at 08:31
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By the way: I haven't contributed with my own BÖC exegesis yet
because I've been outside for most of spring break and this week I've
been too busy with thesis-writing so far. Might write it down this
weekend.
------------- "The past is not some static being, it is not a previous present, nor a present that has passed away; the past has its own dynamic being which is constantly renewed and renewing." - Claire Colebrook |
Posted By: uduwudu
Date Posted: April 27 2014 at 04:20
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BOC have had the occasional habit of chasing the hit song, sometimes successfully which largely conflicts with the more esoteric nature of the symbolism that turned up. It doesn't help that that the overall view is not that clear. Pearlam is BOC's Sinfield indeed. An oft overlooked number that should be as tone classic (it is for me) is Astronomy from Secret Treaties. Probably doesn't help that their production on these classic albums is not that great. I read an observation somewhere that BOC never made the transition to the 80s metal scene; something to do with cold intellectualism - there are no songs about women in the traditional hard rock sense, no love songs either, (good!). This is something Iron Maiden have in common with BOC. They do not do sentimental, nor blues. The closest thing to blues is the name of Roeser's instrumental; Buck's Boogie and that is it as roots music goes. A metal pioneer band with a hard rock sound and sci fi themes. Trouble is things didn't go as they should have. With the benefit of hindsight the planned Imaginos release did not emerge until 1988 and even then only after trying circumstances. This would have been the album that brought all the ideas into a (more of less) cohesive frame. But the live album and then thehome recording studios generating new material, the hit single paradox BOC found themselves in meant that their foot had slipped a bit and probably became seen as hard rock band with all the attention on post Reaper activities rather than the big concept album that would have been central to their career. Still, later albums aren't as bad as they are noted by fashion oriented critics. Revolution By Night has a great number in Shadow of California for instance, as well as the only number of their's I don't like a hit single called Shooting Shark with one of the most boring rhythms I have ever heard. This appeared straight after a number (Take Me Away) written with Aldo Nova and a cracking riff number it is as well. But it's the Califirnina track that's central to that album which is so non-80s... (released '86). One of the best releases to get BOC is possibly the Extraterrestrial Live album. In concert this band shines and the full instrumental firepower is on display. Robbie Krieger turns up and I can heartily endorse consumption of this album perhaps in the society of a... relaxing beverage of your choice... |
Posted By: Toaster Mantis
Date Posted: April 27 2014 at 05:59
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Another thing that kept BÖC from assimilating into the post-NWoBHM heavy metal scene is that their music is way more subtle than Black Sabbath or even Deep Purple. Their best songs go as much for otherworldliness as they do for heaviness. As far as the "Imaginos" mythology's meaning goes? I can grasp that it revolves around extraterrestrial and paranormal forces influencing the course of human history from behind the scenes getting hidden even more hidden after the Age of Enlightenment as described by the astrologer narrating Workshop of the Telescopes, despite the occult and the scientific continuing to intersect as the protagonist of Flaming Telepaths will know all too well. More points of crossover between "official" history and the hidden occult forces' scheming will include the rise and fall of Fascism as documented in Me262, the 1960s/1970s blossoming and spilling-out-to-the-mainstream of everything countercultural for better and for worse as shown in Transmaniacon MC, Cities on Flame..., Dominance & Submission... Further recurring motifs is that of a character who's a hybrid between humanity and the cosmic beings manipulating history coming to realize his origins and destiny appearing to be the narrator of many BÖC songs, as well as the juxtaposition between imagery of modern urban decay on one hand and that of esoteric occult tradition going back into the distant past often in the lyrics to the same song. ------------- "The past is not some static being, it is not a previous present, nor a present that has passed away; the past has its own dynamic being which is constantly renewed and renewing." - Claire Colebrook |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: April 27 2014 at 12:02
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Those interested in occult mythology might find this interesting......the Men In Black are mentioned several times in BOC tunes.
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/bb/bluebook666.htm" rel="nofollow - http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/bb/bluebook666.htm
btw this is a very strange web archive...I recall reading some of it many years ago online. Not directly related to BOC but I'm sure many of their themes came from similar ideas.
http://web.archive.org/web/19980424200237/http://www.brotherblue.org/" rel="nofollow - http://web.archive.org/web/19980424200237/http://www.brotherblue.org/ ------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |