Blue Öyster Cult
Secret Treaties

THE REVIEW

Secret Treaties, dated 1974, closes the so-called "black-and-white period" of that formidable band known as Blue Öyster Cult. A fundamental characteristic of BÖC during the aforementioned period is the aggressiveness, mixed with cruelty and ruthlessness, both in the lyrics and the rhythms of the songs. But also in the cover, where all the themes dear to the band are unleashed in this work of art. On the front, a drawing of the band in front of the German Messerschmitt 262 warplane, with dogs following and the symbolic skeleton-pilot. Note the band's logo in place of the Nazi swastika (apparently essentially a camouflaged variant) on the rear wing of the aircraft. The back shows the same plane taking off and the dogs lying on the ground, slaughtered.

To support all this, these distressing yet enigmatic sleeve notes: "Rossignol's surious, albeit simply titled book, the Origins of a World War, spoke in terms of secret treaties, drawn up between the Ambassadors from Plutonia and Desdinova the foreign minister. These Treaties founded a secret science from the start. Astronomy. The career of evil". The themes explore mysterious worlds, dark environments, primal fears, hidden horrors, suburban esoteric, the mystery, the mysticism of an urban legend, in a sort of horrifying "stream of consciousness".

"Career of Evil", written together with Patti Smith, is a formidable hard rock song with semi-prog guitar phrasing and the solid keyboard base of Allen Lanier supporting the backbone of this track, in which everything is perfect. "Subhuman" deals with one of the usual "hot topics", as well as the band's strengths: essentially dark themes, supported by the gloomy atmosphere of the music. "Dominance And Submission" is one of the album's highlights, characterized by insistent and eclectic rhythms, in which Donal Roeser's guitar (a.k.a. Buck Dharma) performs miracles, especially in the very fast solo.

Often, in the very first seconds of a BÖC track, you get the feeling that it is just a simple rock'n'roll. Here lies one of the many great things about Blue Öyster Cult: the ability to recycle the old schemes of classic rock'n'roll to make them their own and then adapt them to something completely their own. Just listen to the beginning of "ME 262", seemingly a simple rock'n'roll, which develops into a 100% hard rock piece, with a greatly sung chorus, especially when it obsessively repeats at the end the name of the aircraft engine (Most these Englishmen live that I might die / Junkers Jummo 004). The viewpoint on World War II is disturbing, cynically seen from high up in a German fighter during Nazism.

"Cagey Cretins" is the track where the singer/guitarist Eric Bloom gives his best with his voice, not to mention the driving rhythm of Albert Bouchard's drums and his brother Joe on bass. Even the falsetto backing vocals make their beautiful scene. Once again, the genius/guitarist/keyboardist's keyboards add that extra touch, especially if the track is "Harvester Of Eyes" (the eye collector, another track of immense aggressiveness!!!). The guitar here is really sleek, essential, with that slowed down finale part sung by Eric Bloom seeming to come from the voice of the psychopath the song talks about.

A shiver cannot help but run down my spine when I think of the two wonderful final tracks. The first is "Flaming Telepaths", an unsettling piece with a thousand facets, with syncopated rhythms and magical guitars from start to finish. Evocative and varied, this track deserves to enter the annals of rock music. The second is obviously the beautiful, passionate, and stunning "Astronomy", a touchingly poignant ballad, with a vaguely twilight atmosphere, and with indisputable charm. Great. Simply great!

This handful of songs, which I dare to define as truly extraordinary, form the third and best album ever released by Blue Öyster Cult. Despite this masterpiece not achieving the deserved success, reaching only number 53 in America, Secret Treaties began to pave the way for the great success that would come with (the disappointing) Agents of Fortune. Secret Treaties will make Blue Öyster Cult appreciated even by critics. I conclude in the most classic way, because one cannot do otherwise with Secret Treaties: an absolutely essential piece, indispensable in any serious music collection. A must-have!