Blue Oyster Cult
Fire Of Unknown Origin


4.0
excellent

Review

by Robert Davis USER (306 Reviews)
June 10th, 2012 | 77 replies


Release Date: 1981 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Perhaps the band's best album of the 1980's, 'Fire of unknown Origin' continued to keep Blue Oyster Cult a world beating force, but also showed their more melodic side

You know you've done something right when a Sci-fi/fantasy animation film wants the majority of your album to be featured on its soundtrack. Then again, in the case of the commercially overwhelming 'Fire of unknown Origin', this isn't really that important for the band now, but in the 80's they certainly needed this boost. It's also quite fitting that the aforementioned film is actually called 'Heavy Metal' (one can only wonder how long it took them to figure out a title that cunning), and curiously, one song from 'Fire...' is actually called 'Heavy Metal'. Of course, this is just sheer coincidence. Blue Oyster Cult had released the satisfying yet disappointingly unpopular 'Cultosaurus Erectus' a year earlier, but the band had not given up. By this time they were still touring the world alongside such successful acts as Black Sabbath and grasping contributions from Patti Smith (who worked on the title track) and Michael Moorcock (working on 'Veteran of the Psychic Wars'.

Unfortunately, the first thing that will stand out to you on 'Fire...' is its even greater 80's influence, using less of the gritty, hard rock edge of the band's guitar work, and favouring more synthesisers and pop culture than ever before. Interestingly, most of the album is very quirky and faster paced than on 'Cultosaurus...', although this doesn't mean to say that the band necessarily used their heavier material. As evident on 'Fire...', the band's sound has become even more mysterious and cunning, thanks largely to the brilliantly written lyrics and concept recurring within the album itself.

On 'Veteran of Psychic Wars' in particular, the band could not sound any more different had they fully adopted a Hip-Hop musical style. Based around the writing of Michael Moorcock, Eric Bloom croons and sorrowfully sings his way throughout, explaining that he is “a veteran of the thousand psychic wars/I've been living on the edge so long, where the winds of limbo roar”. In fact, you could link this to Hawkwind's conceptual album of 1985 that is 'The Chronicle of the Black Sword', purely for the music and lyrical content itself. This excellent use of mysterious lyrics continues throughout, as on the sorrowful 'Sole Survivor' and Creepily referenced 'Joan crawford'.

Musically speaking however, many will either be disappointed or pleased with the change in sound. The title track, 'Vengeance (The Pact)', 'After Dark' and curiously titled closer 'Don't turn your back' all favour the synthesisers to full effect, and even though this makes the songs stand out with enough quirkiness and energy to make listeners feel invigorated, it may put those who prefer the band's heavier sound off. However, it sounds as if the band love doing this. Every song here gives off the impression of a band having complete and utter fun with their instruments, and if you can get past the fact that it is more of a pop album than it is strictly Heavy Metal, you will come to love this album a lot.

There are heavier moment here however. The aptly titled 'Heavy metal (The Black and Silver)' focusses fully on each guitarist's efforts, and it certainly works well. The solos rip through each minute of the song, the riffs accompany the powerful lyrics, and some guitar licks even contribute to the effectual vocals of Eric Bloom. Even on the stunning title track, wherein Bloom seems to enjoy every one of Patti Smith's lyrics, solos serve as a fitting background to the keyboards and synthesisers contained within. As mentioned before, many will want this album to be heavier than it actually is, but you can't blame the band for wanting to take their mysterious sounds and excellent lyrics to the next level.

'Fire of unknown Origin' is generally a very good album indeed. The album would go on to peak at #24 on the American Billboard 200 and #29 on the UK album chart, both of which seem very successful for a band that had been commercially underwhelming for some time. Fact is, you will love this album for what it is if you can accept the fact that the 80's did more for Blue Oyster Cult than it did for Black Sabbath and ZZ Top. Certainly buy it if you liked 'Cultosaurus Erectus', but for those favouring the band's heavier roots, this review merely serves as a warning.



Recent reviews by this author
Thy Catafalque VadakDorDeDuh Har
Anneke van Giersbergen The Darkest Skies Are The BrightestCult of Luna The Raging River
Therion LeviathanRicinn Nereid
user ratings (441)
4.1
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
Voivod
Staff Reviewer
June 10th 2012


10946 Comments


I have never seen this album being sold in CD format in record stores in Hellas, whereas the rest of BOC records can be found more or less...

So strange.

LifeIsJustCoccy
June 10th 2012


3 Comments


ugh blue oyster cult most overrated rock group ever

scissorlocked
June 10th 2012


3538 Comments


cool album

Burnin for you is a catchy monster

linguist2011
June 10th 2012


2656 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Sorry, but how are Blue Oyster Cult overrated? I'd say the same thing about Guns 'N' Roses and AC/DC, but I'm sure I'd get a lot of hate mail.

ZedO
June 10th 2012


1096 Comments


yap, agreed!!

rockandmetaljunkie
June 10th 2012


9659 Comments


BOC is underrated not overrated.

RobbaqPL
June 10th 2012


187 Comments


I'd say they are neither. They have released tons of albums and have some great songs, but most of their catalog is so-so at best.

"After Dark" is synthesiseritis incarnate, a potentially great song that you cannot take seriously because of all these synths.

JosephLong
June 10th 2012


301 Comments


cool

SgtPepper
Emeritus
June 11th 2012


4510 Comments


Really good review, POS.
I always listen to the classic rock stations when I drive, and they literally play "Burnin' for You" at least 3 times a day-I
love that song.

Snooze00
December 3rd 2012


246 Comments

Album Rating: 2.0

Ive managed to come by there entire discog and so far havent heard an album yet that doesnt have cheese factor smeared over it. Im trying real hard but its just not happening so far and this is supposedly one of there better albums.

Damn I thought this band was pivotal in the metal evolution. Im not hearing it. im hearing lots of generic poop rock. Lyrics are a bit lame and there is nothing to hook into on any of there songs here. Just my opinion.

manosg
Emeritus
December 20th 2012


12710 Comments

Album Rating: 4.2

An excellent album overall. You have to put it into context to really appreciate it. BOC was considered the thinking man's metal back then.

MO
May 29th 2013


24114 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

veteran of the psychic wards is fantastic

menawati
February 16th 2014


16730 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

you see me now a veteran of a thousand psychic wars,

i been living on the edge so long, where the winds of limbo roar

mark7477
February 16th 2014


414 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

It's an OK album I certainly like Burning For you and a couple of others but the rest is very weak especially the very last two songs.

menawati
February 16th 2014


16730 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

aw man, vengeance (the pact) is epic

Pheromone
February 16th 2014


21635 Comments


That's my problem with BOC albums as a collective, each album has different gems throughout but there's always a ton of filler

menawati
February 16th 2014


16730 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

yes its true, theres usually shit on every album

linguist2011
February 16th 2014


2656 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

I'd say this isn't the case with the band's first three albums to be honest, though every album the band had released after "Secret treaties" did have their respective filler material. But the filler for me is mostly washed out by some of BOC's best career songs to date.

StormChaser
August 3rd 2014


2497 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

This feels like their most cohesive effort. Pretty awesome

menawati
January 17th 2015


16730 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

time everlasting, time to play B sides



You have to be logged in to post a comment. Login | Create a Profile





STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS // CONTACT US

Bands: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Site Copyright 2005-2023 Sputnikmusic.com
All Album Reviews Displayed With Permission of Authors | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy