Blue Öyster Cult
Heaven Forbid

THE REVIEW

I am often reluctant to review recent albums by vintage bands without first addressing their origins, but in this case I must make an exception. The work in question is "Heaven Forbid" by Blue Oyster Cult.

A rock band born in the '70s that has gifted us gems of albums like "Blue Oyster Cult" and "Secret Treaties" and songs that have made music history like "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and "Astronomy," also covered by Metallica in their "Garage Inc." The production of this album is monumental. The sound is perfect and the change of drummer is noticeable. For this CD, in fact, a compact and powerful drummer reminiscent of the late Cozy Powell was hired. I'm talking about Bobby Rondinelli. Mostly a session musician, he boasts collaborations with Rainbow ("Difficult To Cure" and "Straight Between The Eyes") and Black Sabbath ("Cross Purpose"). I cannot deny being his admirer and an appreciator of his not so refined but powerful technique.

But let's get back to the album. "Heaven Forbid" was released in 1998, and if we omit the soundtrack "Bad Channels," the last studio album, the monumental concept "Imaginos," dates back to a full 10 years before the release of this work. Let's say it's quite a period of inactivity, but all this time has not been in vain.
Right from the start, you can taste the hardness of this album. "See You In Black" introduces us to a triplet rhythm and a very bluesy feel, which then turns into a purely heavy piece supported by the almost constantly present double bass drum. The next track, "Harvest Moon," seems to slow down the pace a bit. Away with the distortions, clean guitars, lots of melody. This sole track penned by guitarist Donald Roeser seems to remember in some ways "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," but in all ways, it is touching and well-executed.

The album continues with a track that has an almost epic and majestic chorus: "Power Underneath Dispair," which still keeps the musical level of this CD very high. Once again, following a rather aggressive song, a much more melodic one is inserted ("X-Ray Eyes").
But these are just coincidences, because "Hammer Back" returns to purely heavy tones and majestic choruses, and even "Damaged," the best on the album, is a track supported by a driving rhythm that engages you even in the singing. The next "Cold Gray Light Of Dawn" is very reminiscent of "Rock Soldiers" by Ace Frehley, especially in the introduction, but it still does not lower my rating.

The album also takes on some funky characteristics with “Real World,” introduced and supported by a particularly rhythm-driven guitar track. "Live For Me" and "Still Burnin'" return to heavier sounds, the former more melodic, while the latter is aggressively accompanied by perpetual double bass drum, well-blended into the track.
The conclusion of the CD is entrusted to a semi-acoustic piece, "In Thee," perhaps avoidable but still appreciable.

A few curiosities: the lyrics were mostly conceived by science fiction writer John Shirley, a long-time fan of the Cult.