BLUE OYSTER CULT - "The symbol remains"

BOC's first new studio work in 19 years was expected with anticipation and something more. The legendary band was continuing to give helluva performances on stage, while they were denying their return in the studio. As the music industry was dying and the physical product sales were diminishing, the chances to see BOC recording new work were thin. Suddenly one day a new track, besides the ones they were sporadically present live, surfaced and the story begun. BOC are among the bands that have played everything in metal. From psychedelic free from songs to heavy metal thunders.The lyrics and the sense of melody they have, the flow of melody ,mostly due to Mr.Roeser, their magnificent lead guitar player, are  trademark sound along with Mr.Bloom  gravy vocals.The last decades Richie Castellano , a multi instrumentalist came to cover the gap of Alan Lanier and  now shines as the band trusted him in singing "Tainted love" and other songs and with his contribution as guitar player, something already known from their live appearances. The album is a mix of musical styles from the heavy opener "That was me", the more trippy "Box in my head" and then the  first surprise 'Tainted love" with R.C on vocals to stand out easily with its vampirish/doomed love atmosphere. The "Edge of the world" with Bloom and "The machine" with RC on vocals are mid BOC period songs that could easily be in "Spectres" or 'Mirrors" and then BOC make the unpredictable with the rock n roll "Train ,train" a song reminding of "Dr.Music" a straightforward rock n roll song sung by Roeser. To be followed by the far more complex in the BOC style "The return of St.Cecilia" again an excellent performance by R.C.

The band seems rejuvenated and tight from all these years of touring and performing and perfecting their songs in the final detail. So what we get is one of the most  rich BOC albums, diverse,with sonic variety and maturity. They don't have to prove something,nothing to anyone.They write great rock songs, edgy, heavy and yet melodic, with Roeser and his characteristic guitar phrases driving the BOC ship to new heights. For the fans of the early days , till the most commercial of "Club Ninja' there's something in here, although this time BOC took the heavy approach blending their 70s spirit with the metal edge of the 90s. "Stand and fight' is another heavy song with Bloom creating this imaginary conflict and bringing the heroic element in the streets. Barbarians and metal in one story with Eric telling in his unique way the story of crushing skulls.

'Florida man '' is another classic song, full of the mystery that only the melodic voice of Roeser knows how to bring along with the claps at the rhythmic department, a journey down to Florida  swamps and its secrets.  "Alchemist" is a change of scenery into a more heavy sound with the fantasy elements and a more heavy sound that commands the song. A song that could take place in "Imaginos". A nice touch of melody in style again from Roeser in ''Secret road' . Bloom raises the emotions in "There is a crime" and Roeser talks about "Fight" in the most sensitive way, the BOC could ever think. A journey in the human sensibilities, to close an album in the best possible way

 

 

So while Roeser takes on the more direct rock n roll songs , besides "Florida man" and "Fight" and Bloom on the most heavy ones,  Castellano is the one who brings the element of surprise and upgrades the new BOC to a beast that won't leave anyone indifferent with his sensitive and "dark" approach to the songs he sings. "The symbol remains" is an album sensitive, heavy,dark, diverse, a BOC album as expected full of surprises, some classic songs and most and above all a return to from from a band who proved they still have it on stage for decades and now are giving us , one last proof of their studio abilities. Time will tell, how long we will have to wait for a new BOC studio work, but until then, the answer is yes, the symbol and the musical mystery remains intact and solid, reign over the less fortunate bands who have to release albums at the same time.

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