The Symbol Remains

If you’re a BOC fan, or just a fan of melodic hard rock, you’ll like this album. It is classic Blue Oyster Cult, updated for today. There are no bad songs, and a few that border on great. 50 years and still rocking hard!

The Buck Dharma and Eric Bloom songs revive the glory of the 70s era. Eric has all the swagger and Buck has all the cool melodies from that era-updated for the 21st century. I have been a fan since 1976, and the Black Sabbath/Blue Oyster Cult (Black and Blue) tour from 1980 showed why those two bands are the foundation of every heavy metal band since then. This album makes it seem like the years have not really gone by. The only parts I don't like are from the new vocalists, who sound generic. Instead, I hope they can get together with the Bouchard brothers one more time.

It’s been way too long since BOC produced an album of new work. Two decades? But this is the one. I knew they still had great work in them, much more than recycling their excellent past tunes in new packaging or live performances. (Don’t get me wrong. I love BOC live. They are by far one of the best live bands out there.) I feel as though record companies, critics, maybe even they felt BOC was past its prime. That is not the case with “The Symbol Remains” This new album is fresh and yet harkens to the style we all love and know. “Tainted Blood” is perhaps one of the top tracks. “Nightmare Epiphany” is a wonderful, underrated jaunty tune. Other tracks have the signature hard rock feel we have all come to love and enjoy. None of the tracks descends below “Good” and a number are “Excellent”. Do yourself a favor DO NOT DOWNLOAD SINGLE TRACKS. Buy the album. It’s the way most musicians do and still see their music. Buying a single track is like buying a 45rpm record and playing the “A side” all the time. You will appreciate the album more as you listen to it each time and appreciate the variety contained within.

Raise your can of beer on high and treat your ears to pleasure— all those tours played on the fly will rock your halls forever! This is a really solid album with a lot of great songs on it, some mellow, some rockin'. Various songs seem to be plucked from different points in their extensive career (of evil!), some sounding like songs from Agents of Fortune, Revolution By Night, Mirrors, and one even calling way back to the Stalk-Forrest Group days, if in name only. And after decades of solid touring this band is TIGHT! See them live when you can! Buck Dharma is a virtuoso rock guitarist, Eric Bloom belts it out with a growl like a silver wolf, Ritchie Castellano is an amazing multi-talent and another great vocalist, Danny and Jules are a perfect fitting leather glove of rhythm.

Been a fan since 1972. Seen them so many times I don't remember. This album is so refreshing in a year that we need some good things. Keep oon rocking boys. I'll be listening. If they aren't in the rock and roll hall of fame. there's no use in having the place.

Hard to find another band from the early 70"s that can put out an LP with such quality. The addition of Richie Castellano, Danny Miranda and Jules Radino over a decade ago breathed new life into Buck Dharma and Eric Bloom, original BOC members. This album is a culmination of the hard work and dedication by all five of these musicians. All very talented. Plus, there is no I in Blue Oyster Cult. Tight knit group in the studio, on the road and on stage. Each song is evidence of the strong songwriting ability present. Everything from Bloom's dark headbangers to Buck's melodic, brilliantly penned tunes and Richie's songs that just fit perfectly into the LP's flow. When I first saw them in Maine in 1974, I had know idea the band would put out a masterpiece like this 47 years later and it cements the bands image, longevity and it's place in rock and roll history.

Amazing vocals and song writing. BOC keeps getting better with age!

This music gets 5 stars and A+. Love it, love it!

New BOC and it rocks. Best news this year.

Great record overall. Happy to hear any new BOC, but The Symbol Remains has a ton of classic BOC grooves and Buck's soloing throughout. "There's A Crime", "Fight" and "Return of St Cecelia" are some of my early favorites. Easily the best record since Revelation by NIght.