Released 6 years ago this October
The Symbol Remains
Blue Öyster Cult · 2020
61 min · 14 tracks · hard rock
A vibrant mix of hard rock and progressive elements, echoing the band’s classic sound while exploring contemporary themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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That Was Me Start here — The opening track establishes the album's reflective tone, featuring lyrics that explore nostalgia and self-awareness within a driving rock framework.
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Box in My Head — This song showcases the band’s signature blend of haunting melodies and intricate guitar work, encapsulating their ability to merge lyrical depth with musical complexity.
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Tainted Blood — With its powerful riffs and thematic exploration of struggle and resilience, this track stands out as a highlight of the album's harder edge.
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Nightmare Epiphany — This track features surreal imagery and an expansive soundscape, representing the band’s evolution while still honoring their roots in occult rock.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends classic hard rock with progressive elements, offering solid songwriting but lacks standout production.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo drive, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- introspective ballads for reflection
- hard-hitting anthems for empowerment
- wave-like pacing with surprises
- for late-night contemplation
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer single tracks over albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Revitalizes the band's classic sound after a long hiatus, showcasing continued creativity.
- Career context
- Released on October 9, 2020, The Symbol Remains is Blue Öyster Cult's first studio album in nearly two decades, following their last release, Curse of the Hidden Mirror in 2001. The album marks a significant moment for the band as they re-entered the music scene with a refreshed lineup, showcasing both nostalgia and innovation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- UFO· Rainbow· Deep Purple
Tracklist
- 1 That Was Me Start here 3:18
- 2 Box in My Head 3:45
- 3 Tainted Blood 4:17
- 4 Nightmare Epiphany 5:30
- 5 Edge of the World 4:52
- 6 The Machine 4:14
- 7 Train True (Lennie’s Song) 3:57
- 8 The Return of St. Cecilia 4:12
- 9 Stand and Fight 4:48
- 10 Florida Man 4:08
- 11 The Alchemist 6:00
- 12 Secret Road 5:24
- 13 There’s a Crime 3:37
- 14 Fight 3:12
What to play next
Ghost Stories
2024
Continues the band's exploration of contemporary themes with a fresh sound.
Curse of the Hidden Mirror
2001
Precedes the current album with a similar blend of hard rock and progressive elements.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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