BLUE OYSTER CULT (BoC) loves live albums. Clearly, their fans do too. From 1975 to 2022 the band released five of them—live albums, that is, not fans. In 2023 they added one more, “50^th Anniversary Live – First Night.” If you are a BoC fan, you know how special this album. If BoC is new to you, and there is no shame in that, you have a lot to catch up on. The short review is: This album is fantastic. Everyone should own it. The long review (and brief history lesson) is below.

I was eight years old when Blue Oyster Cult released their debut album. Most of you reading this weren’t born. I discovered the album when I was in high school, though I first heard of the band, like so many others, in 1976 when “Don’t Fear the Reaper” dominated the FM airwaves. In 1977 FM radio would then pick up “Godzilla” and I was hooked. I backtracked my way to their debut album. Since then, I’ve listened to it hundreds of times. And not just one song here and there, but the whole album, end-to-end, over and over. It’s in my list of top five albums of all time. While the production values are obviously limited by 1972 studio sound engineering, it's still a masterpiece.

The level of influence BoC has had on hard rock and metal music is well known. BoC has been covered by everyone from METALLICA, LIZZY BORDEN, ICED EARTH, FU MANCHU, HOWLING GIANT, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, SMASHING PUMPKINS, even Lisa Marie Presley. They were also active in the underground arts scene, weaving mind bending stories laced with philosophical and sci-fi/fantasy/counter-culture references. Patti Smith was closely knit with the band, dating Allen Lanier (keyboards, guitars, bass) and even being offered a lead vocalist spot. While she turned down the offer, she contributed lyrics for several of their tracks in the early years.

BoC was also influential in the emerging geek culture that we take for granted today. Fantasy writer Michael Moorcock was a frequent collaborator and features in more than one of their songs. If you’re a fan of the movie Heavy Metal, BoCs “Fire of Unknown Origin” album comprises several songs written for the movie but never used. Ironically, the one BoC song that was featured in the movie, “Veteran of the Psychic Wars,” wasn’t intended for it. And then there is the classic SNL skit which I swear put Chirstopher Walken and Will Ferrell on the map—“I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!”

And if already knew all that, then you are bound to love this release. The first ten tracks of “50^th Anniversary Live – First Night” is the entirety of their first album. From “Transmaniacon MC” straight through to “Redeemed.”  The next 14 tracks are a smattering of gems from across their career with special love given to the vastly underrated “Mirrors” album. Here you find the obligatory “Godzilla,” “Burnin’ For You,” and “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” but also the rarely performed “Dr. Music,” “The Vigil,” and “In Thee.” If you’re thinking there are some obvious gaps in the 24 tracks, remember there were two other nights, each night capturing one of their first three albums in full plus a fist full of others. Not sure if these will be released at a later date, but we can always hope.

The lineup features Buck Dharma and Eric Bloom with special guest Albert Bouchard. Rounding out the lineup are Richie Castellano (guitars, keyboards, vocals), Danny Miranda (bass, vocals) and Jules Radino (drums). Sonically, they work seamlessly together. It’s a wonder they weren’t there in ’72 at the beginning of it all.

Standout tracks stack up to 24—the entire album is great, especially for a live performance. Regardless, the three tracks I was most eager to hear were “The Vigil,” “Before the Kiss, A Redcap,” and the haunting and ever so fucking strange “She’s As Beautiful As A Foot.” They don’t disappoint.

The greats are also great, including “Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll,” “Godzilla,” and “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” Although I will always be grateful to FU MANCHU and HOWLING GIANT for their stunning Stoner renditions of “Godzilla,” there’s nothing like hearing the originators laying it down. Also be sure to listen for the cowbell at the three-minute mark in “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.”  

“50^th Anniversary Live – First Night” is the live album that does the legacy of BoC justice. Clearly, I’m a diehard BoC fan. Honestly, I don’t see how any metal fan can’t be—they’re just too important to the heritage of metal.