Heaven Forbid
Encyclopedia
This article is about the Blue Öyster Cult album. For The Fray
song, see How To Save A Life
.
Heaven Forbid is the eleventh studio album by the American hard rock
band Blue Öyster Cult
, released in 1998. It was the band's first studio album in a decade (not counting the 1992 soundtrack
to Bad Channels
). American science fiction and horror writer John Shirley
wrote lyrics for several songs on the album. While he is a noted author for his cyberpunk
stories, many of the lyrics on this album revolve around early science fiction and mystery motifs. This album's working title was 'Ezekial's Wheel', after the Biblical story that may or may not reference an early visitation by UFOs.
A number of songs on this album have ties to previous songs released within the circle of Blue Öyster Cult. "In Thee" was originally featured on Mirrors. "Still Burnin'" is a sequel to the song "Burnin' for You
" that appeared on Fire of Unknown Origin
. "Live for Me" shares a number of similarities with Buck Dharma
's solo single "Your Loving Heart" from his Flat Out album.
The inspiration for the alternative cover is Morgan Fairchild
. This image also appears on the reverse of the insert, and was originally intended to be the front piece as indicated by advertisements from the period.
The Fray
-Literature:*Fray, a phenomenon in Terry Pratchett's The Carpet People*Fray , a comic book series by Joss Whedon**Melaka Fray, titular character of the comic book series-Music:*"Fray", a song from the album 14 Shades of Grey by Staind...
song, see How To Save A Life
How to Save a Life
How to Save a Life is the debut album by The Fray. Released on September 13, 2005 through Epic Records, the record charted in the top 15 on the Billboard 200 and was a top ten hit in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK...
.
Heaven Forbid is the eleventh studio album by the American hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
, released in 1998. It was the band's first studio album in a decade (not counting the 1992 soundtrack
Bad Channels
Bad Channels is the soundtrack album of the science fiction spoof film of the same name, It featuring songs by the bands Blue Öyster Cult, Fair Game and Sykotik Sinfoney, and released in 1992.-Track listing:...
to Bad Channels
Bad Channels (film)
Bad Channels is a 1992 science-fiction spoof, released by Full Moon Features. It is about two aliens who invade a radio station with the intention of capturing female humans, by using radio broadcasts.The film is followed by Dollman vs...
). American science fiction and horror writer John Shirley
John Shirley
John Shirley is an American fantasist, author of noir fiction, and science-fiction writer. Shirley is a prolific writer of novels and short stories, TV scripts and screenplays who has published over 30 books and 10 collections...
wrote lyrics for several songs on the album. While he is a noted author for his cyberpunk
Cyberpunk
Cyberpunk is a postmodern and science fiction genre noted for its focus on "high tech and low life." The name is a portmanteau of cybernetics and punk, and was originally coined by Bruce Bethke as the title of his short story "Cyberpunk," published in 1983...
stories, many of the lyrics on this album revolve around early science fiction and mystery motifs. This album's working title was 'Ezekial's Wheel', after the Biblical story that may or may not reference an early visitation by UFOs.
A number of songs on this album have ties to previous songs released within the circle of Blue Öyster Cult. "In Thee" was originally featured on Mirrors. "Still Burnin'" is a sequel to the song "Burnin' for You
Burnin' for You
"Burnin' for You" is a song by American rock band Blue Öyster Cult from their album Fire of Unknown Origin, released in 1981. It reached number one on the Billboard Top Tracks chart and the single spent three weeks at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart...
" that appeared on Fire of Unknown Origin
Fire of Unknown Origin
Fire of Unknown Origin is the eighth album by Blue Öyster Cult, released in 1981. It was produced by Martin Birch.The album, which included the top 40 hit "Burnin' for You" represented a resurgence of the group's commercial standing after two albums with disappointing sales...
. "Live for Me" shares a number of similarities with Buck Dharma
Buck Dharma
Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser is an American guitarist and songwriter, best known for being a member of Blue Öyster Cult since the group's formation in 1967...
's solo single "Your Loving Heart" from his Flat Out album.
The inspiration for the alternative cover is Morgan Fairchild
Morgan Fairchild
Morgan Fairchild is an American actress. She achieved prominence during the late 1970s and early 1980s with continuing roles in several television series, in which she usually conveyed a glamorous image. Fairchild has also performed in live theater and played guest roles in television comedies...
. This image also appears on the reverse of the insert, and was originally intended to be the front piece as indicated by advertisements from the period.
Track listing
- "See You in Black" (John ShirleyJohn ShirleyJohn Shirley is an American fantasist, author of noir fiction, and science-fiction writer. Shirley is a prolific writer of novels and short stories, TV scripts and screenplays who has published over 30 books and 10 collections...
, Eric BloomEric BloomEric Bloom is an American singer, songwriter and musician. He is best known as the main vocalist, and "stunt guitar" for the long-running band Blue Öyster Cult, with work on over 20 albums...
, Donald Roeser) – 3:17 - "Harvest Moon" (Roeser) – 4:55
- "Power Underneath Despair" (Shirley, Bloom, Roeser) – 3:30
- "X-Ray Eyes" (Shirley, Roeser) – 3:48
- "Hammer Back" (Shirley, Bloom, Roeser) – 3:35
- "Damaged" (Shirley, Roeser) – 4:22
- "Cold Gray Light of Dawn" (Shirley, Bloom, Roeser) – 3:51
- "Real World" (Shirley, Roeser) – 5:08
- "Live for Me" (Shirley, Roeser) – 5:19
- "Still Burnin'" (Jon Rogers, Roeser) – 3:39
- "In Thee" (Live) (Allen LanierAllen LanierAllen Lanier was an original member of Blue Öyster Cult. Lanier played keyboards and rhythm guitar. He currently resides in Manhattan....
) – 3:40
Band members
- Eric BloomEric BloomEric Bloom is an American singer, songwriter and musician. He is best known as the main vocalist, and "stunt guitar" for the long-running band Blue Öyster Cult, with work on over 20 albums...
– guitars, keyboards, lead vocals on tracks 1, 3, 5, and 7, producer - Buck DharmaBuck DharmaDonald "Buck Dharma" Roeser is an American guitarist and songwriter, best known for being a member of Blue Öyster Cult since the group's formation in 1967...
– guitars, keyboards, lead vocals on tracks 2, 4, 6, 8-11, producer - Allen LanierAllen LanierAllen Lanier was an original member of Blue Öyster Cult. Lanier played keyboards and rhythm guitar. He currently resides in Manhattan....
– guitars, keyboards - Danny Miranda – bass guitar on tracks 1, 4-9, 11, backing vocals
- Jon Rogers – bass guitar on tracks 2, 3 and 10, backing vocals
- Bob RondinelliBobby RondinelliBobby Rondinelli is a rock drummer best known for his work with the hard rock/heavy metal bands like Blue Öyster Cult, Rainbow, Quiet Riot, Black Sabbath, The Lizards, and Rondinelli.-Background:...
– drums on track 9 - Chuck BurgiChuck BurgiChuck Burgi is an American drummer and session musician. Born in Montclair, New Jersey, he is the brother of actor Richard Burgi....
- drums on tracks 1-8 and 10, backing vocals
Production
- Steve Schenck - producer on tracks 2, 3, 10, management
- Paul Orofino – engineer, mixing
- Marc Senesac – engineer and mixing on tracks 2, 3, 10
- Leon Zervos – mastering