"Imaginos" is the eleventh studio album by American rock band Blue Öyster Cult, released in 1988. This album marked the band's final recording with their original label, CBS/Columbia Records. The creation of "Imaginos" was a protracted affair, taking nearly eight years to complete. Originally envisioned as the first in a trilogy of solo albums by Blue Öyster Cult's drummer and songwriter Albert Bouchard, the project faced numerous hurdles. Bouchard was fired in August 1981, and CBS initially rejected the album in 1984. However, a re-worked version eventually emerged as a Blue Öyster Cult album, albeit heavily influenced by producer and lyricist Sandy Pearlman.
"Imaginos" is a concept album and rock opera that intertwines Pearlman's scripts and poems from the 1960s into a narrative about an alien conspiracy unfolding during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The album's storyline, which combines elements of gothic literature and science fiction with influences from H. P. Lovecraft, is presented as "a bedtime story for the children of the damned." This intricate and often obscure narrative is complemented by music that leans more towards heavy metal compared to the band's earlier melodic hard rock sound.
Despite some critical acclaim, "Imaginos" was not commercially successful, and its release contributed to Columbia Records ending their contract with Blue Öyster Cult. The album's poor sales and the pressure from the label led to the band's disbandment in 1986. During the extended recording process, many guest musicians contributed, including Joe Satriani, Aldo Nova, and Robby Krieger of the Doors, though some band members were minimally involved. Albert Bouchard, excluded from the final recording process, pursued legal action to protect his rights as the album's author and producer.
After "Imaginos," Blue Öyster Cult continued to perform live but did not release new studio albums for another decade.
