For those who follow this band, there is no such thing as a bad live recording. Over the past year, Frontiers have released excellent recordings of Blue Öyster Cult live as they celebrated their 50th anniversary with three sold-out shows at Sony Hall, New York, in September 2022. The previous releases covered their first two albums, and the final wrap in the trilogy sees the band performing their classic third album, Secret Treaties, in full.
Blue Öyster Cult
50th Anniversary Live – Third Night (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
Release Date: 13 December 2024
Words: Paul Hutchings
Always consummate musicians, this recording is something to sit back and enjoy. Close to three hours of music sees the band cruise through Secret Treaties before expanding their set to include some deeper cuts as well as the classics.
With a fanatical crowd who are joining in from the start, this is an opportunity to marvel at the quality of this legendary band, whose founder members Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser and Eric Bloom are ably supported by Richie Castellano, Danny Miranda, and Jules Radino.
Anyone who saw the band’s triumphant show at the Stonedead Festival in 2023 knows that this is a band whose music does the talking, and here is no exception.
It’s surprising how timeless tracks like Career Of Evil and Subhuman sound today, considering they are half a century old. Described in 2010 by Rhapsody as one of the best ‘Proto-Metal albums of all-time’, it’s easy to see why that tag was added.
Dominance And Submission casts an eerie spell, whilst the rock ‘n’ roll drive of the legendary ME 262 (which is named after the German WWII jet fighter and is part of the iconic Ron Lesser artwork) spills out into one of several elongated jams which show the musical talent of all involved.
One might have forgotten how good an album Secret Treaties was, but with Astronomy, Harvester Of Eyes and Flaming Telepaths included in the track list, it is hard to argue with the inventive and creative songwriting that still sounds magnificent today.
Alongside the line-up above, each night saw founding member Albert Bouchard join the band onstage, which added a touch of nostalgia to the proceedings.
Highlights are many. The imperious Flaming Telepaths is just majestic, sending a shiver down the back of any diehard fan such is the delivery we experience. The audience singalong to the intro of The Golden Age Of Leather is tingling, whilst the end of the album sees Tainted Blood draw an emotional curtain on a fine record.
Dive into the second part of this set and you will be spoilt for choice. Burning For You kicks things off. The rich melodies and glorious harmonies combine with the infectious riff and Dharma’s superb guitar work. There is the funky bass of Danny Miranda on Shooting Shark, which is almost disco in its application, and the huge reaction to the always brilliant Black Blade.
If you want a bit of exhibitionism, then there is Dharma’s blistering work on Buck’s Boogie, and if you want the real anthems, then it is impossible to ignore Godzilla (including that bass line which Miranda nails every time, as well as a snippet of Zeppelin) and of course (Don’t Fear) The Reaper as well as the triumphant climax of Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll.
The band’s strapline is Always On Tour, and they already have dates spread across 2025. As the band are well into the twilight of their career, if you never seen them, then now is the chance.
If you want a taste of what you will receive, then there is no better place to start than 50th Anniversary Live – Third Night.
