dr strangr

In folklore and mythology, witches have long been portrayed as mysterious and capable of casting spells and performing magic. One such story that captures the imagination is that of "The Thirteenth Witch". The tale tells the story of a coven of twelve witches who live deep within a secluded forest. These twelve witches are said to possess immense power and knowledge of dark magic. Together, they have been able to control the elements, curse their enemies, and even call upon supernatural beings for aid. However, it is believed that their power and magic comes at a great cost.

Line-up:
Eric Bloom - Voice, Guitars
Buck Dharma - Guitars
Allen Lanier - Guitars, Keys
Danny Miranda - Bass
Bob Rondinelli - Drums

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. 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.

However, it is believed that their power and magic comes at a great cost. According to the legend, in order to maintain their power, the twelve witches must choose a thirteenth witch to sacrifice every thirteen years. This thirteenth witch, often a young and innocent girl, is chosen based on a set of predetermined criteria.

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.

"Curse of the Hidden Mirror" is the 14th studio album by Blue Öyster Cult, originally released in 2001 on Sanctuary Records. The album has been out of print for quite some time and this will also be the first time it is officially available on vinyl.
On their first album of the the new millennium, BÖC proved that they're still smart enough to play to their strengths, wearing their ‘70s classic rock standing as a badge of honor.
The band took the album title from a song on the unreleased album by the Stalk-Forrest Group, the band that would eventually become Blue Öyster Cult, recorded in 1970. John Shirley, an author of cyberpunk science fiction, wrote the lyrics for many songs of the album. Musically, the album offers a style which could be described as “classic" Blue Öyster Cult.
Produced by Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser. the albums showcases the band's familiar charms with understated clarity.

Some say she must possess a certain birthmark, while others claim it is her pure and untainted soul that is sought after. Once the thirteenth witch is chosen, she is taken to the witches' coven where she undergoes a series of grueling tests and rituals. These tests are said to determine her suitability for the sacrifice. If she fails to meet the requirements, she is cast out, left to live in exile forever. However, if she passes, she is brought before the coven on the thirteenth day of the thirteenth month, where her life is sacrificed to sustain the power of the twelve witches. The legend of the thirteenth witch has been passed down through generations, captivating and terrifying audiences with its dark and mysterious allure. It has inspired countless stories, poems, and even films, each adding their own twist to the tale. Some interpretations of the story suggest that the thirteenth witch may possess the power to break the cycle and free herself and the coven from the darkness. Others believe that the sacrifice is necessary to maintain the balance between good and evil, and that by preventing it, the world would descend into chaos. Whatever the true interpretation may be, the story of "The Thirteenth Witch" continues to captivate our imaginations and remind us of the power and allure of magic and the unknown..

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