“Dahlia floated like chimney ash
Up into a shredded sky
It was raining acidic trash
On the Moon there crawled a fly”
The Symbol Remains (2020)Band members
Eric Bloom – guitars, keyboards, vocals
Donald 'Buck Dharma' Roeser – guitars, keyboards, programming, vocals
Richie Castellano – guitars, keyboards, programming, vocals
Danny Miranda - bass, background vocals
Jules Radino – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Additional musicians
Albert Bouchard – backing vocals, cowbell and percussion on "That Was Me"
Andy Ascolese - keyboards on "Nightmare Epiphany" and "Florida Man"; piano on "The Alchemist"
David Lucas - Backing vocals on "Edge of the World", "The Machine", "Florida Man" and "Secret Road"; cowbell on "Fight"
Phil Castellano - harmonica on "Train True (Lennie's Song)"; gang vocals on "Stand and Fight"; backing vocals and claps on "Florida Man"; choir programming on "Secret Road"
Kasim Sulton - backing vocals on "The Return of St. Cecilia" and "There's a Crime"
Steve La Cerra, Kevin Young - gang vocals on "Stand and Fight"; backing vocals and claps on "Florida Man"
John Castellano - backing vocal on "Florida Man"
Jeff Nolan - theremin on "Florida Man"
Produced by Eric Bloom, Buck Dharma and Richie Castellano
Executive produced by Steve Schenk
Chief Engineer - Richie Castellano
Overdub engineering - Buck Dharma
Engineer - Sam Stauff
Assistant engineer - Steve La Cerra
Mixed by Tom Lord-Alge
Mastered by Ted Jensen
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1. "That Was Me" (music by Eric Bloom, Richie Castellano, lyrics by John Shirley) 3:18
2. "Box in My Head (music by Donald Roeser, lyrics by Shirley) 3:46
3. "Tainted Blood" (music and lyrics by Bloom, Castellano) 4:17
4. "Nightmare Epiphany" (music by Roeser, lyrics by Shirley) 5:30
5. "Edge of the World" (music and lyrics by Castellano) 4:52
6. "The Machine" (music and lyrics by Castellano) 4:14
7. "Train True (Lennie's Song)" (music and lyrics by D. Roeser, Zeke Roeser) 3:57
8. "The Return of St. Cecilia" (music by Castellano, lyrics by Richard Meltzer) 4:12
9. "Stand and Fight" (music and lyrics by Bloom, Castellano) 4:48
10. "Florida Man" (music by Roeser, lyrics by Shirley) 4:08
11. "The Alchemist" (music and lyrics by Castellano, with a quote from HP Lovecraft) 6:00
12. "Secret Road" (music by Roeser, lyrics by Shirley) 5:24
13. "There's a Crime" (music and lyrics by Jeff Denny, Jules Radino) 3:37
14. "Fight" (music and lyrics by Roeser, Ira Rosoff, James Wold) 3:12
Total length: 61:06
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After nearly 20 years since their last studio release, and 6 years since the beginning of this thread, I admit that I thought I was finished with the discography. When the video of
Box in My Head showed up in my YouTube suggested watch list I was surprised to say the least. I’ve been even more surprised with my half-dozen listens to this album over the past week. This is a great BÖC album!
I don’t know if the band deliberately wrote the album to be a retrospective of their entire career, but that’s how it feels to me. In the best possible way! All the elements are here; thunderous riffs, blistering lead guitar work, atmospheric keyboards, pop sensibilities with vaguely creepy lyrics, B-movie creature features, and their patented dry/dark sense of humor. There’s even a guest appearance from Albert Bouchard (the original drummer) playing cowbell during
That Was Me.
In a break from the style that this discography started with, I’m not going to list all the songs and the elements I find compelling…that’s kind of fallen out of vogue on the forum and, with good reason. I think it’s more fun for the participants to bring their listening experience first.
I will say, that I think the rhythm section of the current band is exceptional, and that the addition of Frank Castellano has been a revelation for BÖC fans. His song writing, vocals, and more modern lead guitar work is a beautiful contrast/addition to the band’s sound and offers a complimentary contrast to Buck’s guitar. Also, this is a great sounding album with clear production and great dynamics. I'm also pleased to say they were able to get some great performances out of Eric, who's voice has struggled in live settings for quite a while now. No, there's nothing to compare with "Veteran of the Psychic Wars" but his vocals help solidify this album in the BÖC canon.
EDIT:
The Symbol Remains - SpotifyOfficial videos YouTube:
That Was MeBox In My HeadTainted BloodThe Alchemist