| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 10/10[2] |
| Sputnikmusic | [3] |
Cultösaurus Erectus is the seventh studio album by American hard rock band Blue Öyster Cult, released on June 14, 1980. Following an experiment with a more-polished sound on the album Mirrors (released the previous year), this recording marked a return to the band's earlier, heavier sound. It also represents the band's first collaboration with British producer Martin Birch (Deep Purple, Fleetwood Mac, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden), who would also produce the band's following album Fire of Unknown Origin a year later.
While the album did sell more than its predecessor, it stalled at Gold status. However, during this time Blue Öyster Cult was still filling large venues. The tour promoting Cultösaurus Erectus found the band co-headlining sports arenas in the United States with Black Sabbath as part of the Black and Blue Tour.
The album cover features the central part of the painting Behemoth's World by British artist Richard Clifton-Dey.
Songs
"Black Blade", features lyrics by fantasy and sci-fi writer Michael Moorcock and is about Stormbringer, a black sword wielded by Elric of Melniboné, the most famous character in Moorcock's mythology.
The title "The Marshall Plan" is a play on words, connecting the post-World War II economic program with the British amplifier manufacturer.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Black Blade" | Eric Bloom, Michael Moorcock, John Trivers | Bloom | 6:34 |
| 2. | "Monsters" | Albert Bouchard, Caryn Bouchard | Bloom | 5:10 |
| 3. | "Divine Wind" | Donald Roeser | Bloom | 5:07 |
| 4. | "Deadline" | Roeser | Roeser | 4:27 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5. | "The Marshall Plan" | Bloom, A. Bouchard, Joe Bouchard, Allen Lanier, Roeser | Bloom | 5:24 |
| 6. | "Hungry Boys" | A. Bouchard, C. Bouchard | A. Bouchard | 3:38 |
| 7. | "Fallen Angel" | J. Bouchard, Helen Wheels | J. Bouchard | 3:11 |
| 8. | "Lips in the Hills" | Bloom, Roeser, Richard Meltzer | Bloom | 4:24 |
| 9. | "Unknown Tongue" | A. Bouchard, David Roter | Bloom | 3:55 |
Personnel
- Band members
- Eric Bloom – guitar, keyboards, vocals
- Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser – lead guitar, bass (on "Deadline"), keyboards, vocals
- Allen Lanier – keyboards, guitar
- Joe Bouchard – bass, vocals
- Albert Bouchard – drums, vocals
- Additional musicians
- Don Kirshner – introduction for "The Marshall Plan"
- Mark Rivera – saxophone on "Monsters"
- Production
- Martin Birch – producer, engineer, mixing
- Clay Hutchinson – engineer
- Paula Scher – art direction
Charts
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Billboard 200 (United States) | 34[4] |
| UK Albums Chart | 12[5] | |
| RPM100 Albums (Canada) | 77[6] |
References
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Blue Öyster Cult - Cultosaurus Erectus review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
- ^ Popoff, Martin (1 November 2005). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 2: The Eighties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 54. ISBN 978-1894959315.
- ^ Davis, Robert. "Blue Öyster Cult - Cultosaurus Erectus review". Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
- ^ "Blue Öyster Cult Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
- ^ "Blue Oyster Cult Official Charts". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
- ^ "Top Albums/CDs – Volume 33, No. 21, August 16, 1980". Library and Archives Canada. 16 August 1980. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 2012-01-19.