As mentioned, Ripple Music is releasing a Blue Oyster Cult tribute album this Friday (1/14) that was initiated by the late Poison Idea drummer Steve "Thee Slayer Hippy" Hanford, who appears on three tracks, alongside Mark Lanegan, Billy Anderson, Zeke, Mondo Generator, Spindrift, Year of the Cobra, Ape Machine, War Cloud, members of Kyuss, High On Fire, Quasi, Fu Manchu, Holy Grove, and more.
Blue Oyster Cult have always been more "metal-adjacent" than actual heavy metal, but their influence on the genre is undeniable -- from their heavier early material to their visuals -- and this metal-oriented comp puts a rawer, heavier spin on the band's classics. Yes, it includes big singles "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and "Godzilla," but it also includes earlier, more under-appreciated singles like "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll" and "Flaming Telepaths," and deeper cuts like "Transmaniacon MC," "Stairway to the Stars," "7 Screaming Diz-Busters," "Wings Wetted Down," "Dominance and Submission," "ME 262," "Tattoo Vampire," "Fireworks," and "Veteran of the Psychic Wars." It's a very cool comp, and you don't have to wait until Friday to hear it. A full stream premieres below. Pre-order it here.