The Symbol Remains

The Symbol Remains is the upcoming fifteenth[note 1] studio effort by American rock band Blue Öyster Cult, due for release on October 9, 2020.[1] The album is the band's first studio release since 2001's Curse of the Hidden Mirror, making it their longest gap between albums. It also marks the recording debut by long-time band members Jules Radino and Richie Castellano.

The Symbol Remains
Studio album by Blue Öyster Cult
Released	October 9, 2020
Recorded	February 2019 – April 2020
Label	Frontiers Records
Blue Öyster Cult chronology
Curse of the Hidden Mirror (2001) The Symbol Remains (2020)

Background

The lack of sales success of the band's previous studio album, Curse of the Hidden Mirror (2001), contributed to a disinterest from the band towards recording new music. Frontman Eric Bloom noted in 2017 that "it costs money to make a record," and that the time spent producing an album would be better spent touring "than making a record that nobody’s going to buy." Although he did concede that some hardcore fans would be enthusiastic about such a release, it would likely not be a financially successful project. Nevertheless, he admitted that a new effort would eventually arrive.[2]

Lead guitarist Buck Dharma stated in another interview that the band had "tentative" plans to record in 2017, and noted that the then-current band was "so good it would be a shame not to."[3] Dharma had also revealed that he had originally intended to contact longtime band manager and collaborator Sandy Pearlman about ideas for the album, although Pearlman's death in 2016 from a stroke prevented that from occurring.[4]

In April 2019, Bloom further reiterated that an album would eventually arrive, and announced that the band would "soon" be signing a new recording contract.[5]

In July 2019, it was announced that the band had signed with Frontiers Records, and that the album would be released in 2020. Bloom noted that half of the songs were already written, with the remaining portion to be written during production of the album.[6]

The album art and track listing were revealed in August 2020.[1]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"That Was Me"
2.	"Box in My Head"
3.	"Tainted Blood"
4.	"Nightmare Epiphany"
5.	"Edge of the World"
6.	"The Machine"
7.	"Train True (Lennie's Song)"
8.	"The Return of St. Cecilia"
9.	"Stand and Fight"
10.	"Florida Man"
11.	"The Alchemist"
12.	"Secret Road"
13.	"There's a Crime"
14.	"Fight"

Personnel

Band

• Eric Bloom – lead vocals, stun guitar
• Buck Dharma – lead guitar, vocals
• Danny Miranda – bass, backing vocals
• Richie Castellano – keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Jules Radino – drums, percussion

Production

References

1. "BLUE ÖYSTER CULT Unveils Details Of First Album In Nearly Two Decades, 'The Symbol Remains'". Blabbermouth.net. August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
2. Staff (14 July 2017). "Blue Oyster [sic] Cult's Eric Bloom is a Road Warrior, but Says Albums Don't Pay". OC Weekly. Duncan McIntosh. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
3. Tatangelo, Wade (5 January 2017). "Interview: Buck Dharma on writing Blue Oyster [sic] Cult's biggest hits". Heraldtribune.com. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
4. Hernandez, Raoul (9 August 2017). "Buck Dharma in the 21st Century! Epic Q&A with Blue Öyster Cult's "Reaper"". The Austin Chronicle. Nick Barbaro. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
5. Lenker, George (8 April 2019). "Blue Oyster [sic] Cult singer talks longevity, new music and that 'more cowbell' sketch before Northampton show". Masslive. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
6. Kielty, Martin (10 July 2019). "Blue Öyster Cult Sign Deal for New Album". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 14 July 2019.

Notes

1. This could be counted as either the group's fourteenth or fifteenth studio effort, depending on whether 1994's Cult Classic, a album consisting of re-recordings of some of the band's earlier music, is considered a proper studio album or not.