Blue Oyster Cult, The Ivory Tower at Melina Merkouri Theatre (2008)

Melina Merkouri Theatre (Athens, Greece)

Blue Oyster Cult, The Ivory Tower
One of the biggest, the most influential, the most 'low profile' 70s-born Hard Rock bands […]
By Grigoris Chronis
June 5, 2008

One of the biggest, the most influential, the most 'low profile' 70s-born Hard Rock bands in the world. BLUE OYSTER CULT. In my town. Wow...Third time BOC visits Greece (first one in the mid-to-late 80s, the second one in the mid-90s). Hope we'll not gonna wait for the next decade to see Eric Bloom and Donald Buck Dharma Roeser (the two original members still in the lineup). Why? Because last night's gig was magical and - bearing in mind this legendary band does not rely on some stage or lights 'show' to intrigue feelings and impressions - it was just the music, the theatre_venue and the early summer breeze that cloth multiple kinds of feelings.

Half an hour after eight o' clock in the evening, and Greek heavy_melodic metallers THE IVORY TOWER hit the stage. Selected amongst a number of candidates to open up for the New York, USA legends via online vote through the promoter's website (nice idea, by the way!), the quintet delivered a nice show (around 30 minutes) of IRON MAIDEN-meets-QUEENSRYCHE music full of dual leads and harmony vocals. There were not more than 500 spectators gathered at the time, a fact that rather 'let down' the band in terms of onstage dynamics, yet - having seen 'em live in smaller stages - THE IVORY TOWER succeeded in giving an honest performance, while their sound output was quite ample and clear (omitting some 'weak' - at times - drum sound plus 'hidden' leads here and there). Not the best fitting slot - in terms of music relevance - but the band and most of the fans enjoyed, I think, this event prelude.

Setting a gig for a '70s' band on a weekday is not an easy task to accomplish capacity soon enough. Hence, we were kinda waiting for 'bigger' edges to step in Melina Merkouri theatre, time flirting with some minutes before ten o' clock. The sky was clear, the big rock behind the stage and the mild forthcoming night provided a perfect landscape to 'lay upon', plus the beer was cheap enough. Would like something more?

Yes, an impressive performance by BLUE OYSTER CULT. A band that started out in 1967, released its first same-titled debut in 1972, with a sound and style destined to be a major part of the Hard Rock_Heavy Metal spine in the years to come (METALLICA, ICED EARTH, WOLF, TREAT, RACER X, SEBASTIAN BACH and LIZZY BORDEN are some of our beloved bands having 'covered' BOC songs). With the first three albums, Blue Oyster Cult (1972), Tyranny And Mutation (1973) and Secret Treaties (1974) honored as 'mentors' for the US Heavy Metal style, it was 1976's (Don't Fear) The Reaper massive hit that pushed the band to major scales of recognition worldwide (and, of course, more than half of the audience was motivated by this specific song to come enjoy the gig). More melodic in their 80s_90s songwriting, but always with a 'mystique' formula in the songwriting_lyrics concepts (fantasy literature legend Michael Moorcock is among the people providing lyrics - at times - for the band), plus the Bloom_Roeser 'opaque' singing chemistry, I was curious enough to see if BOC would present a setlist based on all of their artistic eras. And, yes, they did:

- The Red And The Black (1973)
- O.D.'d On Life Itself (1973)
- Burning For You (1981)
- Harvest Moon (1998)
- Joan Crawford (1981)
- Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll (1972)
- Buck's Boogie (1974)
- Golden Age Of Leather (1977)
- Then Came The Last Days Of May (1972)
- Black Blade (1980)
- Godzilla (1977)
- (Don't Fear) The Reaper (1976)
- See You In Black (1998)
- Dominance And Submission (1974)
- Hot Rails To Hell (1973)

OK, we'd like some Astronomy or Flaming Telepaths or Dancin' In The Ruins to accompany their setlist, but - in the case that someone is even elementary with the whole BOC discography - just take a look at the songs played and even bother to object. No way, just no way. Plus, the band's performance was more that satisfactory. In low profile, driven by a 70s 'raw' sound most of the time, it was impressive how well-worked this recital was. Did not speak that much, did not try to cheer up the crowd with cliche talk, did not bother receiving average response in more than half of their setlist. Bloom was a powerful figure, his unique 'magic vocals' style stood high and mighty, Roeser - the 'melodic' singing half - did tie perfectly with the environment's warmth, his guitar did spit fire were needed, Richie Castellano did manage to make his appearance quite obvious whilst being on the background, Danny Miranda did receive a what a bass player! response (would offer us a QUEEN songparts medley in...which track, I can't recall right now...) and Jules Radino played some helluva drums with both pounding and passion.

Personal song highlights? I was lost in Then Came The Last Days Of May's slow-pace epic feeling, banged my head to the volume of Godzilla and Black Blade (a Metal song indeed!) and danced to the melody of Burning For You. Still, it would be unwise to select 'best' songs, since the whole vibe was non-stop wonderful. Most of the crowd proved to be rather unfamiliar with BOC's discography, hence only (Don't Fear) The Reaper was saluted with a thunderous applaud, with Burning..., Cities... and Godzilla being one level down in arena_seats recognition. In any way, I think BLUE OYSTER CULT did manage to step on this situation, winning over anyone that evening. Nuff said; a tremendous experience.

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