FIRE OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN

Fire of Unknown Origin is my first full album venture into BOC's catalogue. The main reason I decided to start with this particular album is because I am a huge fan of the Canadian animated cult classic Heavy Metal. My favourite track from the album, Veteran of the Psychic Wars features prominently in the film's first full vignette. It is not however the only connection. Heavy Metal: Black & Silver, as the name suggests, was originally intended for the film, but was ultimately not used. As is also the case with Vengeance (the Pact) whose lyrics trace the story of Taarna from the film's conclusion.

Most of the would-be movie tracks tend to be on the heavier side and make for some solid listening. Heavy Metal, the track, is pretty basic, but I enjoy its slick and sleazy early 80s sound. Veteran of the psychic wars actually has its title lifted from one of the psychedelic rants on Warrior on the Edge of time by Hawkwind. BOC carries the concept deftly into a down tempo hard rocker which conjures images of a dark and restless future. Vengeance is more in the mode of Veteran, a darker narrative driven track with a pretty rocking tempo change up part way through. The radio staple Burnin' for You is also a winner, overplaying hasn't already killed it for you. The campier and more disco inclined entries like After Dark, Sole Survivor, Joan Crawford and the title track don't really do it for me, but can be pretty catchy.

This isn't a great wonder of progressive rock by any measure, but it's a pretty solid pick up. If you're a BOC neophyte like me it has some radio friendly stuff to coax you in and diverse collection of other treats from metal to high camp to keep you interested. If this were not a "prog-related" album, I'd probably be inclined to give it two stars, but as that's not the case, I think three is suitable. Good, but in no way essential.