The limited edition Soft White Underbelly t-shirts made for this not-so-secret gig sell out in record time at the merchandise stall, the only ones left available bearing the name of the band that the almost nine hundred people crammed into the hall have come to see. With another show at The London Palladium the night after, this warm-up gig sees Blue Öyster Cult more up close and personal, the atmosphere on stage relaxed but the fervour of the audience as virile as ever.
Soft White Underbelly (Blue Öyster Cult)
Islington Assembly Hall – 24 May 2025
Words: Paul Monkhouse
Photography: Manuela Langotsch
Whilst never quite achieving the stadium-filling status they enjoyed in their home country, the UK support of the outfit has never been short of utterly committed, every show selling out.
Their most recent arena tour with Deep Purple proved that Blue Öyster Cult can fill the biggest venues with their own brand of sonic attack.
Never taking the easy path of straight-ahead rock ‘n’ roll, there has always been intelligence and craft in all that the band do that has made them unique for almost six decades now, the writing, arrangements and playing distinctly their own.
From the opening staccato rhythms and rolling riff of Transmaniacon MC onwards, the gloves were off. This was going to be a Soft White Underbelly show for both the committed and casual that would leave everyone satisfied.
Having weathered many storms, both Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma seem happier than ever, their statesman-like presence onstage, the beating heart of all the outfits have built, effortlessly cool and yet totally focussed.
Each song is a sleek behemoth. The liquid riffs and sometimes jaunty feel juxtaposed with the darkness of the lyrics that brings their signature sound something akin to latter stage Beatles with peak period Black Sabbath.
Sure, they can do heavy, with the thumping Golden Age Of Leather and soaring Burnin’ For You filling the space in Islington. But each number has such well-crafted facets that ensure their enduring appeal.
This bloody-minded adherence to doing things their way and succeeding seems very much a mix of their determination to follow their vision and the freedom to experiment that has shaped their arc, the artistic freedom of the late ’60s being carried on into the present.
In a world of cookie cutter bands following the path of least resistance for success, the presence of Blue Öyster Cult still raging against the machine is a welcome sight.
With both multi-instrumentalist Richie Castellano and drummer Jules Radino having just clocked up their twenty-first year in the band and long-serving bass player Danny Miranda completing the quintet, there is an obvious chemistry that is working here.
The inclusion of a pugilistic That Was Me from 2020’s The Symbol Remains showed there is still plenty of gas in the tank. With the spot-on harmonies of Harvest Moon and Castellano singing lead on a barnstorming Hot Rails To Hell, this was a show of force by the veteran outfit that few could touch, but the best was still yet to come.
Slow, bluesy and elegant, Then Came The Last Days Of May was a jaw dropping exercise in both subtlety and full-pelt rocking out over its two sections. The immense feel of Castellano’s solo and the sheer power of Dharma’s heightened the contrast, the latter surely being one of the most accomplished and yet underrated six-stringers in rock.
Closing the main set with the one/two knockout blow of a titanic Godzilla and the inevitable (Don’t Fear) The Reaper sounding just as majestic as ever, it was a treat to hear Dominance And Submission in the encore.
By the time the last notes of Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll faded into the night, the undisputed victory was won.
With many present seemingly heading to The London Palladium the following day, this was a weekend where the faithful were well and truly rewarded for their passion.
The world needs Blue Öyster Cult. Long may they continue.
