The fact that progressive, abnormal rockers such as the Blue Öyster Cult led a somewhat niche existence makes one all the more eager to listen to the truly awesome albums recorded by the group in their early days. And although BÖC offers up a mix of slightly subdued, milder pieces on their second studio effort, 1973's Tyranny and Mutation, opening number "The Red & The Black" makes it fully clear that we are in for a dizzying roller-coaster ride here. Straightforward guitar riffs are mixed with complex melodies on further cuts like "O.D.'d On Life Itself," "Baby Ice Dog" and "Wings Wetted Down" resulting in an amazingly colorful sound display full of feisty complicated rock and celestial hights. And after the death of Motörhead madman 'Lemmy' Kilmister in 2015, we can now enjoy only one group with a heavy-metal Umlaut in its name!