SACD Rock/Metal Review: Blue Oyster Cult-Secret Treaties

Release Date: September 9, 2016

Label: Audio Fidelity

Website

I am big Blue Oyster Cult fan and have been since the 70s. Secret Treaties was my introduction to the band. I remember buying the LP and noticed that the cover was unusual. As it turned out the music was unlike anything I had heard before and I thought it was just as different as the cover. That was my first impression as a teenager exploring new music. As time passed I enjoyed the album more with each listen and it became and still is my all-time favorite BOC album. I cannot marginalize the importance of Agents of Fortune which comes in as a close second. That is the album that made them superstars worldwide. This is the album that laid down the foundation to build on their legacy.

Secret Treaties is and will remain a heavy metal classic. Every track is crystal clear and given new life in Marshall Blonstein’s Audio Fidelity SACD Hybrid Multichannel version. What I noticed right out of the gate was a significant boost in the prominence of the bass. Even though that happens the rest of the instruments do not take a back seat. With sound like this it is up to the listener and what they prefer to focus on, one instrument or everything happening at once. The normal process for me is to single out one significant change right away then like a quarterback with peripheral vision I flip a switch to surround sound listening. To completely enjoy the entire experience of this format I would highly recommend taking in everything that is happening. You can easily become immersed with all the sounds.

I know this album very well and that also helped in my recognition of any changes in sound and clarity. The mix is superb on this version of Secret Treaties. Every track is killer on the recording but there is one that became their epic classic along the lines of “Don’t Fear The Reaper.” “Astronomy” takes the band to new levels and it is a fantastic curtain closer. The track uses all the talents of every band member taking their sound and production to amazing heights that would lead them to recognition beyond their dreams. It starts off gentle enough then just builds and builds to an exciting climax. This is BOC’s finest hour and that one track is the icing on the cake that leaves you wanting to hit play over and over again.

“Dominance and Submission” and “Harvester of Eyes” are two other favorites of mine that are served well in the conversion of this classic recording.

This is a cannot miss bullseye to a rocker’s heart and soul. Secret Treaties was great music before it became an SACD but now more things are brought to light to give it that much more significance and value as one of the greatest rock/metal albums ever recorded.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Astronomy, Dominance and Submission, Harvester of Eyes

Tracks: 
1. Career of Evil
2. Subhuman
3. Dominance and Submission
4. ME 262
5. Cagey Cretins
6. Harvester of Eyes
7. Flaming Telepaths
8. Astronomy
 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

September 27, 2016

Founder of:

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

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SACD Rock/Metal Review: Blue Oyster Cult-Secret Treaties

Release Date: September 9, 2016

Label: Audio Fidelity

Website

I am big Blue Oyster Cult fan and have been since the 70s. Secret Treaties was my introduction to the band. I remember buying the LP and noticed that the cover was unusual. As it turned out the music was unlike anything I had heard before and I thought it was just as different as the cover. That was my first impression as a teenager exploring new music. As time passed I enjoyed the album more with each listen and it became and still is my all-time favorite BOC album. I cannot marginalize the importance of Agents of Fortune which comes in as a close second. That is the album that made them superstars worldwide. This is the album that laid down the foundation to build on their legacy.

Secret Treaties is and will remain a heavy metal classic. Every track is crystal clear and given new life in Marshall Blonstein’s Audio Fidelity SACD Hybrid Multichannel version. What I noticed right out of the gate was a significant boost in the prominence of the bass. Even though that happens the rest of the instruments do not take a back seat. With sound like this it is up to the listener and what they prefer to focus on, one instrument or everything happening at once. The normal process for me is to single out one significant change right away then like a quarterback with peripheral vision I flip a switch to surround sound listening. To completely enjoy the entire experience of this format I would highly recommend taking in everything that is happening. You can easily become immersed with all the sounds.

I know this album very well and that also helped in my recognition of any changes in sound and clarity. The mix is superb on this version of Secret Treaties. Every track is killer on the recording but there is one that became their epic classic along the lines of “Don’t Fear The Reaper.” “Astronomy” takes the band to new levels and it is a fantastic curtain closer. The track uses all the talents of every band member taking their sound and production to amazing heights that would lead them to recognition beyond their dreams. It starts off gentle enough then just builds and builds to an exciting climax. This is BOC’s finest hour and that one track is the icing on the cake that leaves you wanting to hit play over and over again.

“Dominance and Submission” and “Harvester of Eyes” are two other favorites of mine that are served well in the conversion of this classic recording.

This is a cannot miss bullseye to a rocker’s heart and soul. Secret Treaties was great music before it became an SACD but now more things are brought to light to give it that much more significance and value as one of the greatest rock/metal albums ever recorded.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Astronomy, Dominance and Submission, Harvester of Eyes

Tracks: 
1. Career of Evil
2. Subhuman
3. Dominance and Submission
4. ME 262
5. Cagey Cretins
6. Harvester of Eyes
7. Flaming Telepaths
8. Astronomy
 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

September 27, 2016

Founder of:

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

Write A Music Review

Prog Rock Music Talk

New Age Music Reviews

Rate The Tracks

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Rock/Metal Review: Bang-Mother/Bow to the King

Release Date: 1971/1972

Label: Capitol Records

Website

Every era has its superstars, the acts and bands that shine brighter than the rest of the pack.  They top the charts, play to sold-out crowds, and amass millions in record sales. They influence the next generations of musicians and their songs and go on to become a staple of pop-culture, while sounding as good now as they did decades ago when they were first released.  Then there are the bands that get lost in the shuffle.  They have plenty of talent, and maybe a hit song or two, but they were never able to make it to the next level for whatever reason.  Bang is one such band.

Formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania not long after Woodstock in 1969 by two high school friends, Frank Glicken (guitar, vocals) and Frank Ferrara (bass, lead vocals), they were joined by Tony Diorio (drums) after he answered their ad in a newspaper.  One of the earliest American bands to venture into the heavy metal genre, there were hopes of them being the American answer to Black Sabbath. They signed to Capitol in the early 70s, and eventually put out three albums, with the single “Questions” making it into the top 100.  They were never able to duplicate its success and broke up after the release of their third album.

Bang and Mother/Bow to the King are re-issues of their first two albums, originally released in 1971 and 1972.  They are a joy to listen to, making it a real shame that they could not manage to keep things together, because there is a lot of quality music one these two albums.  It makes one wonder what they would have produced during the rest of the 70s if they never broke up.

The opening of “Lions, Christians” is a great attention grabber with its caustic and distinct guitar riff.  This is an ace of a hard rock song with some heavy presence.  This is a solid example of the early 70s hard rock sound that has such a close kinship with heavy metal, a nice mesh of the right speed with a heavy sound.  “The Queen” is sure to be a pleaser as it gives off a very strong Led Zeppelin vibe.  “Last Will” takes the tempo down a notch.  The sound is a bit more pop oriented, with a strong Beatles influence on this one. 

“Come with Me” picks things right back up with another soulful hard rock song. The guitar parts are a real standout here, being very memorable and unique. One of the album standouts, “Our Home,” is such a fantastic rocking tune, and should really be essential listening for hard rock fans. It is one of those songs where their skill, talent, and promise can be heard.  Over forty years later, it still sounds so fresh.  “Future Stock” is slow, heavy, and ahead of its time. This is one of those songs where their proto-metal sound can clearly be heard. “Questions” is straight up and kills it with its seductive bassline, and the drums complement it fantastically. Closing of the album is the post-apocalyptic sci-fi themed “Redman,” that is almost too catchy for its own good. 

Mother/Bow to the King is their 1972 follow-up to their self-titled debut. The opener, “Mother,” is pleasant sounding folksy song, so feel free to clap along. It retains their hard rock flair with the guitar solo near the end.  One listen to “Humble” and it is easy to see why these guys are categorized as proto-metal with the heavy hard rock sound of this song.   “Keep On” is a solid rock song memorable for its funky guitar.

“Idealist Realist” brings the heavy proto-metal sound of “Humble” back.  The cover of The Guess Who’s “No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature” clashes with the rest of the songs and sounds so out of place on this album.  “Feel the Hurt” is an emotional lighter rocker.  It is not as heavy as “Humble” or “Idealist Realist,” but it has plenty of passion behind it.  Following it up is “Tomorrow,” an up-beat rocker.  “Bow to the King” starts off slow and mellow and has an almost dreamlike quality to it.  It is a successful divergence from their usual hard rock and metal sound that veers into progressive rock territory.  It is a serene closer to an interesting sophomore album.   

These Bang re-issues are a true blast from the past.  Bang is one hidden gem of a band that deserves to be rediscovered.  Bang and Mother/Bow to the King are two highly creative and skillful albums that you cannot go wrong with.  If you are in any way a fan of hard rock, heavy metal, or of music from the 70s in general, then these Bang albums should definitely be in your collection.  

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Lions, Christians, Our Home, Questions, Mother, Humble, Bow to the King

Tracks:
Bang
01. Lions, Christians
02. The Queen
03. Last Will
04. Come with Me
05. Our Home
06. Future Stock
07. Questions
08. Redman

 
Mother/Bow to the Earth09. Mother
10. Humble
11. Keep On
12. Idealist Realist
13. No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature
14. Feel the Hurt
15. Tomorrow
16. Bow to the King

Brian McKinnon - Write A Music Review Sr. Staff

March 20, 2016

Review Provided By Write A Music Review

Instrumental New Age/Ambient Review: Tom Eaton-Abendromen

Release Date: February 8, 2016

Label: Riverwide Records

Website

Abendromen is Tom Eaton’s latest release. The title comes from the Dutch. It is actually two words combined, "Abend" is evening and "Dromen" is dreams. Tom is a very busy producer collaborating constantly with Will Ackerman in his Imaginary Road Studios to help New Age artists find their sound. Somehow he found the time in December 2015 and January 2016 to get this recording completed.

This is an album about dreaming and the different forms it can take on a daily basis. Some sweep you away from reality and some become reality. Listen to the music and create your dreams.

Tom composed, mixed, mastered, engineered and produced the recording using textural electric guitars, fretted and fretless basses, synthesizers and piano miniatures. All the piano, keyboards, guitars, basses and percussion where played by the artist making this a true “solo” work.

The ever important opening track draws the curtain back and sets the tone for any recording. And Tom introduces his style of music perfectly by easing you into his world with “Sunday-Slow Rotations.” It is atmospheric and features ambient textures with keyboards floating on top, promoting the traditional day of rest. It is the face of magnificence and elegance found in music all packaged in one track. The elements of new age and classical are injected with some ambient chill to make for delectable treat for the senses. 

Oddly enough “Monday-Midwinter” is exactly where we are at in the northeast. Usually every year we have those nightmare days with the weather but it has been a winter only imagined by those hoping for warming temperatures and a lot less snow and ice. That dream came true. 

“Tuesday-The Compass” is one of my preferred tracks. It reminded me of some of my favorite artists over the years like Tangerine Dream (Le Parc). The dreamy floating on cloud effect is there except the pace picks up a bit more right at the start. There is lovely melody weaved into the fabric of this track. It has inspired me to start listening to some of my favorite music again that I have not heard in so long. Tangerine Dream, Jean Michel Jarre and Mike Oldfield come to mind right away. The compass showed me the way.

I think the one track I could relate to most was “Friday-Patience.” The saying T.G.I.F. comes to mind and how you need to be patient and work your way through the day looking forward to the weekend to do what you really desire. It does require patience to make it through to Friday each week, some weeks require more than others. That is how the title hit me and the music felt right as well. The pace is even and peaceful while carrying the hope of a new day right around the corner.

I knew Tom Eaton was an incredibly talented producer and now I know for certain that the music is in every molecule of his being. With Abendromen his gives proof positive that his fingers hold the key to capturing the imagination of an audience in desperate need of unwinding and appreciating a relaxing atmosphere to decompress. It worked for me. 

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Monday-Slow Rotations, Friday-Patience, Tuesday-The Compass

Tracks: 
01. Sunday: Slow Rotations
02. Monday: Midwinter
03. Tuesday: The Compass
04. Wednesday: In Stillness
05. Thursday: For Orion
06. Friday: Patience
07. Saturday: Long Lonely Light

Bonus Tracks:
08. Wednesday Night
09. The Eighth Day
10. Saturday Night
 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck- New Age Music Reviews Founder

February 27, 2016

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews