Blue Oyster Cult /Tyranny & Mutation / Secret Treaties (3CD) [Box set]

Blue Oyster Cult | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002ABV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #339,622 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars tyranny or on your knees, July 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Blue Oyster Cult /Tyranny & Mutation / Secret Treaties (3CD) (Audio CD)

la plus grande trilogie du heavy-metal qui allait tout bouleverser dans l'ésotérisme métallique. Et quelles harmonies ! Il fallait s'appeler Fougeray pour ne pas percevoir la grandiosité de ces opus en Black Sabbath majeur. C'est toujours un bonheur que d'entendre "cities on flame with rnr". Quant à "the last days of may", si vous n'comprenez pas après çà qu'elle ne reviendra plus jamais, cette salope, allez vous faire pendre ailleurs !

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece of American Heavy Metal, April 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Blue Oyster Cult /Tyranny & Mutation / Secret Treaties (3CD) (Audio CD)

The "Tyranny" CD is, to some, merely a compilation of the band's initial three albums, but to a true BOC historian,there's alot more going on here. The 'Cult isgenerally recognized as the first true American Heavy Metal Band. I stress "American", because their self-titled album of 1971 came after British Metal counterparts such as Black Sabbath, Deep Purple etc. In that regard, they are not just a great band--they are an historic band.

But you've got to offer something to earn the "historic" moniker. And Blue Oyster Cult has plenty to offer. The three albums represented in "Tyranny" provide a tremendous example of the band's progression from the years 1972 through 1974, the years that I feel produced the bands most satisfying sounds. The band truly has a sound unique to itself. Consider:

Eric Bloom's rasp, as lead singer, has no rival, although some would correctly argue that many of the lyrics are hard to decipher. Details, details. He has the perfect look of a lead singer--big afro, mirror shades ,black leather. For a 17 year old in 1973, trust me, that was cool!

The perfect complement for instrumentation is Buck Dharma. (He apparently has done away with his prior name, Donald Roeser). Take out your "Tyranny" disc right now, and cue it up to "I'm on the lamb, but I ain't no sheep". Focus your attention on the lead guitar work in that song. I rest my case. Buck Dharma is among the top guitarists I have ever heard. He writes much of the band's material, and although his singing voice is, to this writer, merely average, it's easy to look past that to the bigger picture.

As you enjoy the "Tyranny" CD, take notice of another item: The 'Cult's third album, "Secret Treaties" from 1974, is represented on this disc, and starts with the song, "Career of Evil". This is the beginning of the Patti Smith influence (she co-wrote the song), and it is remarkable what an influence it was! It's actually a whole different sound from the album of only one year earlier. Patti would go on to influence BOC music up through the late 70's.

Most importantly, remember as you listen that you are hearing the best material from a truly historic American band. Don't let the occult themes and the quasi-violent lyrics fool you. These guys don't take themselves too seriously--they just sound awesome.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really good, but..., January 31, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Blue Oyster Cult /Tyranny & Mutation / Secret Treaties (3CD) (Audio CD)

This box set is a handy collection of Blue Oyster Cult's first three albums, collectively known as the "black-and-white period", when the band was a cult attraction nevertheless drawing increasing attention. These three records, which contain standards like 'Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll', 'The Red and the Black' and 'Career of Evil', form the core of the evidence for BOC's being the ultimate "thinking man's metal band". The only thing is that, since this box was released, all three of these albums have been remastered and re-released with bonus tracks and new liner notes, so this collection is a bit outdated. By all means, however, it is worth checking out these classic albums in practically any form.