Cult show world still their Oyster 45 years later

BLUE Oyster Cult Live at The O2 Academy, February 23

Hot on the heels of their celebratory 45th-anniversary tour in 2017, the Godzillas of Rock, Blue Oyster Cult, returned to strike while the iron was hot – and on the warmest day of the year so far, Newcastle was certainly up for it with the Academy packed both downstairs and up.

With a setlist changing from night to night you never quite know what to expect from a BOC show, and Tattoo Vampire from their platinum-selling Agents of Fortune album was a welcome surprise to open the show as Before The Kiss, A Redcap and the song that inspired JK Rowling, Career Of Evil, followed in quick succession.

The sprightly pop of Burnin’ For You came early in the set and demonstrated the perfect versatility of BOC.

Their ability to craft such melodic gems alongside the darker, heavier and more sinister Harvester Of Eyes sets them apart from their peers and much of that is down to the contrasting approaches of the smoother, melodic vocals of Buck Dharma and the harder, more edgy voice of Eric Bloom.

In Dharma they have one of the finest guitarists around. His sense of melody and technical dexterity creates a sound that works completely for the song. There’s no needless overplaying and every note counts with The Vigil and Harvest Moon being two perfect examples.

It is arguably Then Came The Last Days Of May where Dharma really shines in the tale of a drugs deal that went wrong, which was told so vividly, and his interplay with fellow guitarist Richie Castellano was so compelling.

While Dharma and Bloom may take centre stage, they have surrounded themselves with truly gifted musicians, including charismatic bassist Danny Miranda, drummer Jules Radino – who put in a sterling performance throughout – and Castellano, who also appeared on keyboards and vocals.

When a band can pull out a stone-cold classic like (Don’t Fear) The Reaper with its beautiful, shimmering harmonies and haunting storyline, you know that you are in the presence of something special. When Dharma’s solo exploded in the mid-section, it just took everything to the next level.

With a three-song encore including the upbeat The Red and The Black, a welcome return for Hot Rails To Hell featuring Castellano’s imposing voice, and riff-heavy Cities On Flame, BOC proved yet again why they remain one of the America’s great rock bands.

And with a new album in the works, there’s plenty still to look forward to.