"Blue Öyster Cult" is the self-titled debut studio album by the American rock band Blue Öyster Cult, released on January 16, 1972 by Columbia Records. The band had been active since the late 1960s, but this album marked their first official release. Its distinctive sound fused elements of rock, psychedelia, and heavy metal, laying the groundwork for the band's characteristic style that would evolve in their subsequent works.
The album featured songs that later became staples of the band's repertoire, including "Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll" and "Stairway to the Stars". Although the band did not achieve significant commercial success with this release, it set the stage for future popularity. The cover art was designed by artist Bill Gawlik, and the album's symbol, the "hook-and-cross", became a recognized emblem for the band.
The band members at the time of this album’s release consisted of Eric Bloom on lead vocals, Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser on lead guitar, Allen Lanier on keyboards and rhythm guitar, Joe Bouchard on bass guitar, and Albert Bouchard on drums. They were all credited with songwriting on this album, shaping the unique Blue Öyster Cult sound that would become iconic in rock and heavy metal music.
