"Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" is a studio album released by the rock band Blue Öyster Cult in 2001. It is the band's twelfth studio album and the last one to feature the original lineup before their guitarist, Allen Lanier, left the band. The album was met with mixed reviews from critics and fans. Some praised it for its return to the band's classic sound, while others felt that it lacked the energy and creativity of their earlier work. Despite the mixed reception, "Curse of the Hidden Mirror" managed to reach number 186 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album's title represents the band's fascination with mystical and supernatural themes, a common element in many of their songs.
A good rocking opener, an easy listening heavy rock (''Showtime''), a good old juicy hard- rock beat for ''The Old Gods Return'': this album offers a pretty decent level of music, but nothing memorable. Still, I have to recognize that some songs are plenty of dynamism and sound quite alright like the excellent ''Pocket'': great beat, fine riff, pleasant vocal melody and very good guitar work. The best song from this album IMO.
After a very heavy previous album only 3 years prior Heaven Forbid , this album turns and looks in the direction that the band had always been more familiar with -- 70s metal. I have some problems with the rating of this album on the one hand it is superior to Heaven Forbid which I have rated with two stars, but it is really limit to rate it with three stars.
The album's title represents the band's fascination with mystical and supernatural themes, a common element in many of their songs. The hidden mirror is believed to represent a hidden truth or revelation, which is a recurring motif in the band's music. Musically, the album features a blend of hard rock and heavy metal, with some elements of progressive rock.
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.
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I have some problems with the rating of this album: on the one hand it is superior to ''Heaven Forbid'' which I have rated with two stars, but it is really limit to rate it with three stars. I guess that five out of ten would have been ideal, but since a more accurate rating is not available on PA I will update this album to three stars.
The band's signature sound, characterized by Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma's distinctive vocal and guitar work, is present throughout the album. The songs range from heavy and energetic tracks like "Dance on Stilts" and "Out of the Darkness" to more melodic and atmospheric pieces like "See You in Black" and "Stone of Love". Lyrically, the album explores various themes, including love, loss, and the human condition. The lyrics often contain cryptic and metaphorical imagery, adding to the album's mystical atmosphere. Some standout tracks include "Harvest Moon", which deals with themes of mortality and the passage of time, and "Burnin' for You", a love song with a catchy chorus. Overall, "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" is a solid addition to Blue Öyster Cult's discography, offering a mix of classic and new elements. While it may not be considered one of their strongest albums, it still showcases the band's musical talents and their ability to create captivating and thought-provoking songs..
Reviews for "The Boc Curse: Forgotten Tales and Lost Fates"
1. Sam - 1 star - I found "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" to be incredibly disappointing. The plot was convoluted and the characters lacked depth. It felt like the writers were just trying to throw in as many twists and turns as possible without any real substance. Furthermore, the dialogue was cliché and the acting was subpar. Overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this film.
2. Emily - 2 stars - While the concept of "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" seemed promising, the execution fell flat for me. The pacing was off, with the story dragging on and failing to hold my interest. The special effects were also lackluster and didn't add anything to the overall experience. Additionally, the acting felt forced and unnatural, making it hard for me to connect with the characters. Overall, while the film had potential, it failed to live up to my expectations.
3. Jacob - 2 stars - "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, leaving me confused about what was happening. The character development was also lacking, making it hard for me to care about their fates. Additionally, the action scenes were poorly choreographed and lacked excitement. Overall, I was left disappointed by this film and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Mia - 1 star - I couldn't make it through "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror." The acting was cringe-worthy, with wooden performances that made me cringe. The story was predictable and lacked any real depth. It felt like a cheap imitation of other fantasy films, without bringing anything new to the table. Overall, I was highly disappointed and regretted wasting my time on this film.
5. Daniel - 2 stars - "Boc Curse of the Hidden Mirror" had an interesting concept, but it fell short in execution. The plot was confusing and the pacing seemed off, making it hard to stay engaged. The characters lacked depth and the dialogue felt forced. Additionally, the special effects were underwhelming and didn't add much to the overall experience. Overall, while there were some moments of potential, they were overshadowed by the film's flaws.