The "Box Curse of the Hidden Mirror" is a concept found in traditional Chinese folklore and myths. This curse is said to be placed on a mysterious box that contains a hidden mirror within it. According to the legend, anyone who opens this box and gazes into the mirror will be cursed with misfortune and bad luck. The origins of this curse can be traced back to ancient China, where myths and superstitions played a significant role in shaping people's beliefs and actions. The hidden mirror within the cursed box is said to possess supernatural powers that can penetrate the soul of the person who sees their reflection in it. Once the curse is triggered, the person will experience a series of unfortunate events in their life.
Line-up:
Eric Bloom - Voice, Guitars
Buck Dharma - Guitars
Allen Lanier - Guitars, Keys
Danny Miranda - Bass
Bob Rondinelli - Drums
He manages himself pretty well on Showtime which was actually written during the sessions for the 1980 s Cultosaurus Erectus , as well as Good to Feel Hungry. Recent reviews by this author Yes Mirror to the Sky The WAEVE The WAEVE Dutch Uncles True Entertainment Theory of a Deadman Dinosaur Gaz Coombes Turn the Car Around The Winery Dogs III.
Once the curse is triggered, the person will experience a series of unfortunate events in their life. These misfortunes can range from health problems, financial difficulties, relationship issues, and even accidents or tragedies. The severity of the curse and its effects may vary depending on the individual and their circumstances.
Blue Oyster Cult
Curse of the Hidden Mirror
Blue Oyster Cult has nothing left to prove. The band, that released a string of excellent albums in the 1970s and 80s, has already left its imprint in the popular culture. Unfortunately, it is mostly known for 2-3 songs ((Don’t Fear) The Reaper, Burnin’ for You, Godzilla), but it is not going to be news that they have a much wider selection of quality tracks. The period of extensive studio activity has ended for them following the release of Imaginos. Afterwards the band barely produced any new material, mainly existing on their classic output. So it was a surprise when in 1998, ten years later, Blue Oyster Cult released a full-fledged studio album Heaven Forbid. The critics received it rather warmly and it probably enjoyed some popularity, because in 3 years their last (at least, at the moment) LP is put out, titled Curse of the Hidden Mirror.
For people familiar with the band’s repertoire the new record is going to be like a long-awaited return to familiar grounds. Obviously, it’s not going to surprise anyone, since the line-up includes three musicians, who practically never left, and there is no doubt that Eric Bloom, Buck Dharma and Allen Larnier know what a Blue Oyster Cult album should sound like. So all the major components are preserved with utmost professionalism on Curse of the Hidden Mirror. The band still avoids clear labels, shifting between hard rock and heavy metal, with occasional stop on the pop-rock territory. The songs still maintain the signature quirkiness and eccentricity of topics: there are both creepy or mystical cuts, as well as those performed in a more ironic or grounded way. As on Heaven Forbid some assistance with lyrics was provided by the cyberpunk author John Shirley, again carrying on the tradition of working together with science fiction writers and songwriters, which started in the early days of the band.
The songs included on the album leave mainly positive impression. Of notable interest are four songs sung by Buck Dharma: the opening track Dance on Stilts with its start-stop riff; perky and somewhat philosophical Pocket; fast-paced pop-rock gem Here Comes That Feeling Again with a surprising twist; and the mystical Stone of Love. Remarkably Mr. Roeser has not lost and wonderfully preserved his voice (as well as his sweet guitar skills), so it is sheer pleasure to listen to his tracks. Unfortunately, the songs performed by Eric Bloom are of hit and miss variety. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly (and it would seem mainly) is that the voice of Mr. Bloom is partially gone, so his yapping and grating manner of singing requires some getting used to. Though it should be noted, some of the cuts effective build on his more limited vocals adding necessary rawness and aggressiveness. A good example is apocalyptic The Old Gods Return or sinister One Step Ahead of the Devil. He manages himself pretty well on Showtime (which was actually written during the sessions for the 1980’s Cultosaurus Erectus), as well as Good to Feel Hungry. The second shortcoming is related to the songs themselves, specifically choruses. They are often built around repetition of several words or based on the track title with some variations, leading to a sense of certain monotony. This is represented in the above mentioned The Old Gods Return and One Step Ahead of the Devil or Eye of the Hurricane.
Nevertheless, despite some missteps it should be acknowledged that the veteran act released a strong effort, which, unfortunately, was passed over by the buying public. Due to unsuccessful level of sales the label terminated the contact with Blue Oyster Cult, leaving Curse of the Hidden Mirror without promotion, so it quickly fell off the radar, which is unfortunate. However, it can be assumed that those few who purchased the record were satisfied with the solid album that can stand among their classic releases.
Recent reviews by this author | |
Yes Mirror to the Sky | The WAEVE The WAEVE |
Dutch Uncles True Entertainment | Theory of a Deadman Dinosaur |
Gaz Coombes Turn the Car Around | The Winery Dogs III |
Nevertheless, despite some missteps it should be acknowledged that the veteran act released a strong effort, which, unfortunately, was passed over by the buying public. Due to unsuccessful level of sales the label terminated the contact with Blue Oyster Cult, leaving Curse of the Hidden Mirror without promotion, so it quickly fell off the radar, which is unfortunate. However, it can be assumed that those few who purchased the record were satisfied with the solid album that can stand among their classic releases.
It is believed that the only way to break the curse is to find a specific ritual or perform certain actions as prescribed by ancient Chinese rituals and traditions. The exact details of these rituals may vary depending on the region and the specific version of the myth. The "Curse of the Hidden Mirror" has been a popular trope in Chinese literature, movies, and other forms of media. It is often used as a plot device to create tension and drama. The curse serves as a warning to those who are tempted by their curiosity, emphasizing the importance of respecting ancient traditions and avoiding the pursuit of forbidden knowledge. While the Box Curse of the Hidden Mirror remains a fascinating part of Chinese folklore, it is important to remember that it is merely a myth and not based on any real supernatural phenomenon. Nevertheless, it continues to captivate imaginations and serve as a cautionary tale in Chinese culture..
Reviews for "Forgotten Secrets: The Hidden Mirror Curse of Boc"
1. Jessica - 2/5: The Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror was a major disappointment for me. The plot felt convoluted and confusing, making it hard for me to fully grasp the storyline. The characters lacked depth and development, and I had a hard time connecting with any of them. Additionally, the pacing was slow, and there were several unnecessary scenes that seemed to drag on forever. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and not worth the time or money.
2. Mark - 1/5: I couldn't finish The Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror. The writing style was unengaging, and I found myself losing interest after just a few chapters. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and I struggled to connect with any of the characters. The plot was predictable, lacking any suspense or excitement. I was really disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Emily - 2/5: The Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror was a tedious read for me. The narrative was disjointed, jumping between different timelines and perspectives without clear transitions. This made it difficult to follow and keep track of what was happening. The pacing was also inconsistent, with parts of the book dragging on and others feeling rushed. Additionally, the ending felt abrupt and unsatisfying. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and would not read it again.